Congress holds school for newly elected members

WASHINGTON, Nov. 13 (UPI) -- Newly elected members of Congress arrived in Washington this week for orientation on everything from buying office supplies to ethics.

The session began Wednesday and included a bipartisan reception. But much of the time, Republicans and Democrats will split into their own groups.

While there are dozens of new representatives -- on the Senate side there are 10 new Republicans and one lonely Democrat, Gary Peters of Michigan. Some of the new senators are already old Washington hands after serving in the House.

CNN obtained a copy of the orientation schedule, which includes the "New Member Office Fair" and a four-hour briefing Thursday on managing their office budgets. On Friday, a bipartisan breakfast includes veteran members of Congress speaking on "If I Knew Then What I Know Now."

There are also individual photo sessions and a class photo.

After next week's ethics session, the Republican leadership hopes to inspire their new members with a private viewing of the Declaration of Independence and Constitution in the National Archives.

The final event is a lottery for office space. New members were advised that offices on the lower floors are actually better because they are closer to the House floor, making voting easier.

"John Kennedy was on the fifth floor," Rep. Candice Miller, R-Mich., chairwoman of the House Administration Committee, told the freshmen on Wednesday, warning them they are unlikely to get prime real estate. "We all start there."