New Congresswoman Elissa Slotkin: ‘We Are Changing The System Already’

Slotkin was sworn in Thursday. She’s among the largest number of women serving in Congressional history.

Elissa Slotkin MPRN 7.11.17-jn

Photo credit: Cheyna Roth/MPRN

Elissa Slotkin for Congress
Rep. Elissa Slotkin (D-Holly)

Four Democrats from Michigan are among the new members of Congress sworn in on Thursday.

Three of them are women — and they join 128 others to make up the largest number of women to ever serve in Congress.

Democrat Elissa Slotkin is the new Congresswoman representing Michigan’s 8th District.

Slotkin tells WDET’s Jake Neher she believes a more diverse Congress will change the way Washington operates.

“I think we are changing the system already, even before we’re sworn in,” she says, noting it’s also the youngest class and the one with the most parents of school-age children. “I also think we’re changing the look of Congress…A group of us were elected with a mandate to change.”

“That makes for a very activist class, and women are leading that fight for sure,” Slotkin adds.

She also talks about the current impasse over border funding which has led to a government shutdown, as well as her opposition to Nancy Pelosi as speaker of the House.

Click on the audio player above to hear that conversation.

Author

  • Jake Neher is senior producer for Detroit Today and host of MichMash for 101.9 WDET. He previously reported on the Michigan Legislature for the Michigan Public Radio Network.