It’s was an historic week on Capitol Hill and I was there to witness some of it.
Before boarding my flight from LAX to DCA, I encountered many members of Congress who would be on the flight including my own representative, Mike Garcia. Mike is a good man whom I’ve gotten to know. He lost his bid for re-election by around 5,000 votes. He was on the flight, returning to the Capitol for one of his last times to complete his term.
Mike has a wife and three small children. He told me, “It’s all good. I’m getting my life back now. I appreciate all of your prayers, support, and armor.”
A California senator who has been receiving my notes of encouragement, walked by me and said, “We need it (prayers) now more than ever.”
I asked my friend Cary Schmidt, a pastor in Connecticut, to assist me on this trip. I recently had rotator cuff surgery and I requested that Cary accompany me and carry my backpack of notes.
As Cary and I made our way through the Cannon Building, we ran into Representative Michael Waltz of Florida who has just been nominated as National Security Advisor. When he saw me, he said, “Keep praying. Keep praying.”
After delivering all of my notes in the Cannon, Cary and I made our way to the Capitol. We were struck by the beauty of the Capitol as the sun began to set in Washington, DC.
A group of high school seniors from Cary’s church academy were on a field trip to Washington, DC and I was able to arrange a Capitol tour for the group with Representative Pete Sessions.
Inside the Capitol, the students were able to meet and chat with Representative Randy Weber of Texas and Representative Elise Stefanik of New York who had just been nominated as Ambassador to the United Nations.
Representative Weber gave his testimony of how having been a drug addict as a young man and now is a member of Congress. It was a pretty amazing moment as we had a time of prayer for both representatives.
In the Rotunda, the students heard from Representative Pete Sessions and Representative Jeff Duncan of South Carolina. House Chaplain Margaret Kibben also passed through the Rotunda and spent some time talking with students. Had I tried to orchestrate these encounters, I couldn’t have. It was a God thing.
With passes from Representative Sessions, the students were able to sit in the House Gallery and observe the House at work including voting and the swearing-in of some new House members.
At times, the activity on the House floor seems chaotic as members are talking with each other and seemingly oblivious to the dais until the gavel is pounded and they are called to order.
There was a jubilant spirit, especially on the Republican side of the chamber. They were anticipating retaining control of the House and the good news of Republican control of the Senate.
On Wednesday morning, I was aware President-Elect Trump would be meeting with the House Republicans. The location was not announced but I soon learned they had met at the Hyatt Hotel close to the Capitol.
Security in the Capitol was heightened. I soon learned that Vice President-Elect Vance would be in the building meeting with the Senate Republicans as they voted on their leadership for the next session of Congress.
As Cary and I walked through the hallways, we saw countless couches, chairs, coffee tables, file cabinets, and other pieces of furniture being moved to storage. If someone wants to examine government efficiency and waste, that would be a great place to start.
The purging and storing of furnishings happens every two years when there are House elections. Retiring or leaving members of the House have two weeks to vacate their offices. Between now and their departure, they will be working out of small, temporary spaces around the Hill. This allows for offices to be painted, re-carpeted, or undergo other modifications.
Existing members are jockeying for better office locations with more space or a better view. Their selection of an office is based on their seniority in the House. It’s a zoo.
Leaving my note in Senator Vance’s office was once again a challenge as security around his office has increased. After convincing a Capitol Police officer that I was safe, I was able to hand my note to one of the staffers who knew me.
When chatting with staff from Senator Rubio’s office on Wednesday morning, I asked if they knew what was in store for their future employment. They had no idea since the official announcement of Senator Rubio’s nomination for Secretary of State would not made until that afternoon. These staffers, like many others on the Hill, face an uncertain future not knowing what job they may or may not have.
While in the Rayburn Building, I handed my note to a representative who jokingly said I needed to pray for him more. I told him I would double down. But as he walked down the hall, he called back to me and said how much he appreciated my notes and how much they meant to him.
As I delivered my note to another office, a young gentleman said, “You’re Steve Amerson aren’t you?” I asked him how he knew me and he said he had seen me on Bill Gaither videos. I was amazed. (Thanks, Bill.)
As I walked the halls with Cary, we’d occasionally hear of more nominations for Cabinet positions. It was as though we were participating in history.
Wednesday evening, Cary and I were back in the Capitol for our Capitol Worship service. I led the music and sang a solo and Cary gave a great message on Psalm 90\
Security in the building remained high as there was a dinner for newly elected members in Statuary Hall.
These were productive days on Capitol Hill in the midst of significant change. The coming months will be interesting as the Republicans control the House, Senate, and the White House.
For those who think the coming days will be easy going, I would say think again. The battle between the Republicans, Democrats and those who are in the bureaucracy has just begun. Change can be hard and the battle between what has been and what will be is going to be intense.
I will be returning to Washington DC the first week of December. On Wednesday night, December 4th, we will present our “Carols in the Capitol” concert. The congressional hosts for the concert will be Senator Marsha Blackburn and Representative Pete Sessions. If his schedule allows, Speaker Mike Johnson will bring a word of greeting.
Continue to pray for our nation during these days of transition. I believe that God is still at work in our nation’s capitol and in our nation.
Steve
