The 116th Congress begins today and it features a diverse group of members who are more friendly to working people than their predecessors in recent Congresses. Not only does the new class of incoming senators and representatives have the largest group of women ever and the first Native American women, the first Muslim American women and the first openly bisexual senator, it features a dozen union members and even more worker-friendly members.

Union members in the 116th Congress include:

• Sen. Jacky Rosen (UNITE HERE) of Nevada;

• Rep. Ed Perlmutter (LIUNA) of Colorado;

• Rep. Rosa DeLauro (CWA) of Connecticut;

• Rep. Jahana Hayes (AFSA) of Connecticut;

• Rep. Dave Loebsack (AFT) of Iowa;

• Rep. Stephen Lynch (Ironworkers) of Massachusetts;

• Rep. Donald Norcross (IBEW) of New Jersey;

• Rep. Pramila Jayapal (NWU) of Washington;

• Rep. Kim Schrier (Public School Employees) of Washington;

• Rep. Denny Heck (Public School Employees) of Washington;

• Rep. Ilhan Omar (AFSCME) of Minnesota; and

• Rep. Colin Allred (NFLPA) of Texas.

And while the new Congress starts their term, more than 800,000 people working for the government are going without paychecks because of the shutdown. The House plans to vote this afternoon to reopen the government. Take action now. Tell your elected officials that it’s time to stop the shutdown.