Three South Florida members of Congress sworn in at Broward County ceremony; outline local and national priorities

Broward County hosted a ceremonial swearing-in for three South Florida members of Congress on Jan. 27, where U.S. Rep. Debbie Wasserman Schultz, U.S. Rep. Sheila Cherfilus-McCormick and U.S. Rep. Jared Moskowitz were each administered the oath and outlined priorities for the coming congressional term.

The event combined ceremonial elements — an invocation, the national anthem and the oath of office administered by U.S. District Judge Beth Bloom — with extended remarks from each lawmaker about policy goals and community needs. The occasion also coincided with International Holocaust Remembrance Day, which speakers noted in their remarks.

The newly sworn representatives emphasized a mix of foreign‑policy and domestic items. Wasserman Schultz framed her remarks around support for Israel and the push to secure the release of hostages, saying, "we pray for every single one to be released," and pledged to continue work as a member of House Democratic leadership and on the Appropriations Committee. She cited local federal projects she said she helped secure, including the Port Everglades emissions reduction project and a new federal courthouse in Broward County.

Cherfilus‑McCormick said her election was "not just for me, but for every first generation American," and focused on economic opportunity, veterans' housing and protections for immigrants. She criticized what she described as recent executive actions affecting diversity, equity and inclusion and said, "When I travel this entire world and I talk to different leaders... we have something higher to live up to." She also emphasized returning every hostage and, as she put it, that "this is not just a Jewish fight. This is an American fight."

Moskowitz described his intent to work across the aisle and to be present in policymaking forums. He said members "have to find ways to find common ground," defended serving on bipartisan panels such as Foreign Affairs and the Judiciary Committee, and warned against Congress becoming a purely partisan communications shop: "We're supposed to be legislating." Moskowitz also noted constituency work and local appropriations he said his office secured: "we were able to secure $10,000,000 of investments through the appropriations process" and his staff recovered $5,000,000 for constituents and handled "over 4,000 cases" of casework.

Speakers raised additional priorities and concerns: protecting Social Security, Medicare and Medicaid; addressing gun violence and school safety; improving disaster preparedness and FEMA's role; expanding job skills training and local economic development; and opposition to large tax cuts for the wealthy. Several speakers connected local needs — housing for veterans, Everglades restoration and flood control — to federal budgeting and appropriations work.

The ceremony included clergy invocations from Rabbi Brad Boxman and Pastor Joel Tudman, a performance of the national anthem by Kelly Woodson and remarks from local elected officials who introduced the oath administrators. Attendees were invited to refreshments following the program.

No formal votes, motions or legislative actions occurred at the ceremony; the event was ceremonial and comprised remarks, the oath of office and community acknowledgments.