Owens takes his place in Congress

WASHINGTON — Rep. William L. Owens was sworn in as the north country's new congressman Friday, just in time to cast what could be a defining vote of his term on a politically divisive health care reform bill.

Mr. Owens was sworn in on the House floor shortly after 1 p.m., then again in a ceremonial photo opportunity with House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., where he pledged to conduct himself in an "independent and bipartisan way" even as he indicated he would not break with the Democratic leadership on health reform.

As he left the ceremony, Mr. Owens said he recognized the uncanny timing of his arrival — the Democrats are counting on first-term members to keep them from losing too many votes among conservative members of the party on the health bill, and the congressman must brush up quickly with little staff in place to help him digest it. On Friday, he downplayed the challenge.

"We're studying the bill now," Mr. Owens said, adding that north country voters obviously elected him to work on this and other issues. His office confirmed earlier in the day that he will vote yes when the measure comes to a vote, probably today or Sunday. Few if any Republicans are expected to vote for it.

With that issue looming, Mr. Owens was able to bask in at least one day of congratulations from Democrats and Republicans. Mrs. Pelosi swore him before a full House chamber after a series of votes, and he and his family received a standing ovation. Rep. Peter T. King, R-Long Island, who had endorsed Republican Dierdre K. Scozzafava, offered his congratulations in a speech.

"We look forward to working with you," Mr. King said. "We in the New York delegation do work across the aisle."

With Mr. Owens's election, New York has just two Republicans in a House delegation of 29.

Mr. Owens, in a speech on the House floor, thanked north country voters for their support and recalled his family's decision to remain in Northern New York after he was transferred to Plattsburgh Air Force Base. He is originally from Long Island and has maintained a slight accent.

Even before being sworn in, Mr. Owens was the focus of attention, at least on the Democratic side of the chamber. Rep. Steve Israel, D-Long Island, who leads recruiting for Democratic congressional candidates, introduced him to some of the party's heavy hitters as two of Mr. Owens's grandchildren — Caroline Antonipillai, 5, and Thomas Antonipillai, 3 — climbed on seats in the front row and traded high fives.

Among others, Mr. Owens met Rep. Charles B. Rangel, D-Manhattan, chairman of the Ways and Means Committee; Rep. James L. Oberstar, D-Minn., chairman of the Transportation Committee, and Rep. Ike Skelton, D-Mo., chairman of the Armed Services Committee and a friend of the man he replaces, former Rep. John M. McHugh, R-Pierrepont Manor.

Sen. Kirsten E. Gillibrand, D-N.Y., crossed the Capitol to attend the swearing in.

In a technicality, Mr. Owens was sworn in before official certification of the results arrived from Albany. But Mrs. Pelosi announced a communication from the New York state Board of Elections notifying the House of the election results, and there were no objections from the floor.

Mr. Owens and his family then attended a reception at the House Members' Dining Room.

He was scheduled to meet privately with President Obama at the White House in the afternoon, but that meeting was canceled because of House votes. The White House said it may be rescheduled.

As for practical matters, Mr. Owens began to settle into the office space previously occupied by Mr. McHugh, a well-located spot in the Rayburn House Office Building that he will have to vacate even if re-elected next year. Staffers from the House speaker's office filled in to answer phones; the walls were largely bare except for a framed poster from the Frederic Remington Art Museum in Ogdensburg and a photo of waves crashing along the Lake Ontario shoreline.

Mr. Owens has hired a chief of staff, Bradley D. Katz, a Putnam County native who ran the campaign.

His Web site, http://owens.house.gov/, was running Friday, albeit with limited information.

His committee assignments probably will not be determined at least until Congress returns from a one-week break for Veterans Day next week, said Brendan Daly, a spokesman for Mrs. Pelosi.

The House speaker's office has given no indication of which committees Mr. Owens may be offered, and he has not said which committees he is requesting. The Armed Services Committee has one Democratic opening, but that is the slot vacated by former Rep. Ellen O. Tauscher, D-Calif., and Mrs. Pelosi may be inclined to favor a fellow Californian.

The Agriculture Committee already has two New Yorkers, including Rep. Scott Murphy, D-Glens Falls, from the neighboring district. While there are no openings, some members are on that committee while awaiting other committee assignments, a spokeswoman said.