WASHINGTON (AP) – Montana Republican Greg Gianforte is set to be sworn in as the newest member of Congress, a month after he body slammed a reporter who asked him a question about the GOP health care bill.
Gianforte, a wealthy former software executive, has called for civility in politics following his conviction for assaulting a reporter the day before winning a special congressional election.
Gianforte, 56, won a May 25 special election to serve the remaining 18 months in the House term vacated by now-Interior Secretary Ryan Zinke. Gianforte has already filed for re-election. He will be sworn in Wednesday by House Speaker Paul Ryan.
Gianforte said his top priority is to make sure Montanans’ voices are heard and vowed to “protect our Montana way of life from federal overreach and bring accountability to Washington.”
Once he takes the oath of office, Republicans will have 239 members in the House to 193 for Democrats. Three seats are vacant although the elections have been held. The winners will be sworn in later.