Nov. 19, 2010--After the class
photo, most of the Members-elect proceeded to the Rayburn House Office
Building for the room lottery. The new Members are last in line
in selecting their offices. Sought-after qualities include size,
a
view of the Capitol, and proximity to committees. Opinions were
divided on split suites; one aide said they are undesirable, while
another said a split suite could actually be a good feature in
instances when the congressman happened to be angry. The least
desirable offices are by most accounts on the fifth floor of the Cannon
House Office Building. (Cannon is the oldest of the House Office
Buildings, first occupied in Jan. 1908, and the fifth floor was added
five years later). Rep. Louie Gohmert (R-TX) had a good thing
going for a while on the balcony of his fifth floor suite; he set up a
barbecue, but was
forced to shut it down earlier this year.
Bill Weidemeyer, superintendent of House Office Buildings, said his
team will be overseeing close to 300 moves between
December 1, when departing Members are required to leave their offices,
and January 3, when new Members are guaranteed occupancy. His
team will work six days a week and make about 12 moves a day.
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