Yesterday marked the beginning of the 112th U.S. Congress. And so begins the power shift brought on by the mid-term elections, what the President dubbed a “shellacking.” Making the transfer official was the first female Speaker of the House, Democrat Nancy Pelosi, passed the gavel to Republican John Boehner. As the tides change in Washington, “Eight Forty-Eight” wanted to see how our local legislators are adjusting to it all. Congressman Mike Quigley started the conversation. Quigley represents Illinois’ 5th, which includes Chicago’s North Side. He sits on two House committees –Judiciary, and Oversight and Government Reform. He also co-founded the Bipartisan Transparency Caucus. Quigley’s a relative newbie in the house – he was elected to office in April 2009. But now he’s joined by five fresh Republicans colleagues from Illinois. Congressman Mike Quigley joined “Eight Forty-Eight” from Washington D.C.

Friday, Republican Congressman Aaron Schock joins “Eight Forty-Eight” to explain what’s ahead for his party.

Music Button: Farid featuring Sarah Vertino, “Baleric Express”, from the CD The Sound of Rhythm & Culture, (ESL)