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Connecticut House opens 2026 short session with prayer, new members and routine resolutions
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Summary
The Connecticut House convened Feb. 4 for the opening day of the 2026 short legislative session, heard an opening prayer, welcomed two members elected in special elections, observed moments of silence for recently deceased members, and adopted procedural resolutions by voice vote.
The Connecticut House of Representatives convened Wednesday, Feb. 4, for the constitutionally required opening day of the 2026 short legislative session, starting with an invocation from the chamber’s chaplain and a series of ceremonial recognitions and procedural votes.
Reverend Erica Thompson of West Hartford, the house chaplain, offered an opening prayer asking that lawmakers be guided "by wisdom rather than fear" and that the laws debated "promote justice, protect the vulnerable, strengthen our communities, and serve the well-being of all who call Connecticut home." The prayer closed with "Amen." The invocation preceded formal business and a round of introductions.
Speaker Cheng welcomed attendees and asked Majority Leader Representative Rojas and Minority Representative Candelora to lead the pledge. The House sworn in two members elected in recent special elections — Representative Sanchez of New Britain and Representative Pemberton (139th) — with the Speaker noting that Pemberton filled the seat vacated by the late Deputy Speaker Kevin Ryan. The chamber observed a moment of silence for Deputy Speaker Ryan and other recently deceased community members.
In prepared remarks, Majority Leader Representative Rojas emphasized the short, 62-day nature of the session and urged cooperation, saying he and the minority leader "will vote together 85% of the time," and stressing that relationships and compromise will be essential to advancing legislation during the abbreviated calendar.
Members used points of personal privilege to introduce a long list of guests from around the state — including mayors, first selectpeople, local board chairs and students — and to offer recognitions and condolences. The introductions included Mayor Roberto Alves of Danbury and Molly Spino, mayor of Torrington.
On procedural business, the House moved quickly through routine measures: the clerk read House Resolution 1 (printing of the House Journal) and House Resolution 2 (raising a committee to inform the Senate that the House was ready to meet in joint convention). Both measures were moved for immediate adoption and were adopted by voice vote. Later the clerk read Senate Joint Resolution 1 regarding publication of the legislative bulletin and printing of bills and expenses; it, too, was adopted by voice vote.
The Speaker recessed the House and announced a reconvening time of 11:50 a.m.; the Majority Leader moved that the recess be "subject to the call of the chair." The House adjourned for the day with the majority leader moving adjournment "subject to the call of the chair" and noted it would be in session at noon the next day.
Why it matters: Opening day sets the tone for Connecticut’s short legislative session, which by design compresses committee work and floor deadlines into roughly 62 days. Leader remarks emphasized bipartisanship and speed, underscoring that much of the session’s outcomes will depend on quick negotiation and committee work.
What’s next: The House will reconvene at the times announced by the Speaker and proceed to committee and floor business under the compressed short-session calendar.
