Once-in-a-lifetime trip

“Sir, please empty your pockets and step through the scanner.”
The U.S. Capitol policeman held out a bucket into which I quickly placed my watch, wedding ring, wallet and phone. My bag and coat took a trip through an X-ray machine and I spent quite a few minutes having my various forms of ID scrutinized.
With my hands outstretched, I was wanded with a metal detector and only then was I finally cleared to head into the Longworth Building, a large office structure in the U.S. Capitol’s backyard.
I collected my belongings and began my journey, to shadow U.S. Congressman Mick Mulvaney, a newly elected Republican from South Carolina’s 5th Congressional District, as he took his oath of office and joined the nation’s 112th Congress on Jan. 5. Turns out this would be just one of many trips through metal detectors that day.
After flying into Washington Dulles Airport the night before, I started the day early, hopping on the Metro, the subway system that runs throughout the nation’s capital. I found the building and made it there with time to spare for an early-morning interview with Mulvaney at his new office.
Located just off the entrance, down a long, glaringly white corridor, Mulvaney’s new office was already open for a meet-and-greet with supporters. The small crowd munched on slices of pineapple and Danish pastries as they spoke with Mulvaney’s staff, though Mulvaney had not yet arrived.
I pulled my notebook out and quickly corralled chief of staff Al Simpson, deputy chief Eric Bedingfield and communications director Bryan Partridge for a tour of the office.
From the waiting area to the four-person legislative staff’s office to Mulvaney’s clothes closet, I got the nickel tour.
As his staff scattered to take care of various phone calls and emails, I mingled with the crowd pouring through his office door. Van Wyck natives J.R. and Shirley Wilt stood nearby, taking in the whole scene after a morning trip on the subway.
Everyone seemed to be in awe of the pomp and circumstance of the day, including me.
But before I could participate in any of those ceremonies, I needed my press credentials. A short jaunt down the hallway, out the front door and up the street took me to the south entrance of the Capitol, where I was due to receive my press pass from the U.S. House Periodical Press Gallery. Before going inside, I stopped to get a good look at the Capitol building, pulling out my camera and snapping a few photos.
Up a few flights of stairs I found the Press Gallery office, grabbed my badge and headed back to the office. This was history in the making and I was determined not to miss a moment.
Off came my watch and ring again as I passed through another checkpoint.
Soon I was in the office again, speaking with Mulvaney and his wife, Pam, before the congressman grabbed me by the arm.
“Follow me,” he said. “We’ll walk and talk.”
And with that we made our way through the bustling crowds in the underground tunnels connecting the Longworth Building to the Capitol. Balancing my notebook and camera, I asked about his top priorities and what he’ll miss most about the S.C. Legislature.
When I finally looked up, we were at the entrance to the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives. I waited while Mulvaney went inside to grab a large yellow envelope. Pouring the contents into his hands, Mulvaney picked out a small pin wrapped in plastic.
“This is my badge,” he said, as Simpson helped him put the pin on.
Each member of Congress receives a similar pin, which allows them to walk freely through the Capitol.
By 11:30 a.m., we were back in his office, where Mulvaney took a few minutes to sign his oath of office as his family watched.
At noon, I made my way back through security at the Capitol (off with my coat, don’t forget my wallet), and soon found a stool in the Press Gallery, which overlooks the House floor.
House members were milling about and introducing their children and grandchildren, who were allowed on the floor to watch the swearing-in process.
The gallery around me was crammed full of fellow journalists. To my left was Jessica, a reporter from Modern Health Care Magazine, who spent most of the day texting the scene to her editor. Next to her was a reporter from the San Francisco Chronicle, who waited to hear anything quotable from her hometown hero, Nancy Pelosi.
At 1:10 p.m., Mulvaney cast his vote for John Boehner to become the next Speaker of the House. Boehner bested Pelosi by a vote of 241 to 173.
And even though we couldn’t see them from where we sat, it was fascinating to hear the changing of the guard.  
“This is the people’s House, this is their Congress,” Boehner said to the crowd. “It’s about them, not about us.”
An hour later, Mulvaney raised his hand and took his oath of office. Mulvaney later joined his family in the Capitol’s Rayburn Room for a photo with Boehner. I squeezed to the head of the crowd and shot a few photos of the ceremonial swearing-in. And just like that, the day’s formal ceremonies were over.
I walked with Mulvaney from the Capitol to the last event of the day, a reception at the Capitol Hill Club. We chatted about his excitement over the beginning of his term and his anticipation of meeting with his constituents.
At the club, I took a spot near the wall and sized up the crowd. Next to me a reporter from the London Times newspaper scanned the group. She’d heard a rumor that Sen. Jim DeMint was here and she didn’t want to miss him.
I took a stroll around the room and spoke with various supporters. Dr. Dennis and Melanie Jacobs of Indian Land chatted with Pam Mulvaney about the exciting ceremonies they had witnessed that day, while Cheraw resident Richie Yow, who helped organize Mulvaney’s campaign in Chesterfield County, marveled at how far Mulvaney has come.
Even Mulvaney’s campaign bus driver, John Major, was in the crowd, looking forward to the congressman’s upcoming town hall meetings.
I stayed for a little while longer, before heading off to the Metro. As I boarded a train similar to the one I rode in on about 12 hours earlier, I listened to a group of young congressional staffers talk about their day. All three agreed it had been stressful, but also extremely exciting. That sounds about right, though I think I’d add momentous to that description as well.

Christopher Sardelli/reporter

Local reporter Chris Sardelli, left, during an interview with U.S. Congressman Mick Mulvaney at his office on Jan 5. Sardelli covers Lancaster County government for Carolina Gateway and The Lancaster News.

Buy this photo

Christopher Sardelli/reporter

Reporter Chris Sardelli at the Capitol Hill Club, within view of the U.S. Capitol, on the evening of Jan. 5.

Buy this photo

Christopher Sardelli/reporter

The inside of the U.S. House Periodical Press Gallery office, where reporters from weekly publications can type their articles during events at the Capitol.

Buy this photo

Christopher Sardelli/reporter

Reporters and photographers get ready to cover the ceremonial swearing-in photos for 96 new House delegates in the Rayburn Room inside the Capitol.

Buy this photo

Christopher Sardelli/reporter

Reporter Christopher Sardelli is shown aoutside the Capitol building in Washington , D.C., as he and U.S. Rep. Mick Mulvaney's party walked to the Capitol Hill Club on Jan. 5.

Buy this photo