Today, Marsha Blackburn and former Knox County mayor Tim Burchett shed their '-elect' titles to be sworn into their new roles in the 116th U.S. Congress.
Sen. Blackburn (R-Tenn.) and Rep. Burchett (R-Tenn.) assumed their new roles and meet for the opening day.
"Representing Tennessee in the United States Senate is a true honor and today’s activities have been humbling. It has been an honor to share the swearing in activities with hundreds of Tennesseans who have traveled to the nation’s capitol to be a part of the festivities," said Sen. Blackburn.
Prior to her election to the Senate, Sen. Blackburn represented Tennessee's seventh congressional district in the House of Representatives.
Rep. Burchett will be among 100 newly elected representatives filling the House.
Burchett will also be the first person not named 'John Duncan' to represent the 2nd Congressional District of Tennessee in more than 50 years.
John Duncan Sr. represented the 2nd District from 1965 up until his death in 1988, and was succeeded by his son John 'Jimmy' Duncan Jr. -- who did not run for re-election in 2018.
While there will be much celebration, the new (and newly split) Congress will also have their work cut out for them on opening day as the government heads into day 13 of a partial shutdown.
10News anchor John Becker will be in Washington D.C. for the historic political event and provide coverage all day long starting Thursday morning on 10News Today at 5 a.m.
►Make it easy to keep up-to-date: Download the WBIR 10News app now and sign up for our Take 10 Lunchtime Newsletter.
Have a news tip? Email 10Listens@wbir.com, or visit our Facebook page or Twitter feed.