House swears in New York Democrat, thinning GOP majority

Rep. Tim Kennedy (D-N.Y.) was sworn in on the House floor Monday, replacing the now-retired Rep. Brian Higgins (D-N.Y.) and leaving Republicans with just a one-vote margin for any partisan vote.

Kennedy, previously a state senator, defeated GOP candidate Gary Dickson in a special election for New York’s 26th Congressional District last week.

“I stand before you humbled by the opportunity God has given us to be together in this moment,” he said on the floor after being sworn in.