When newly elected members first come to Washington, they’re usually on a mission.
There are positions in their sights — committee chairmanships, leadership roles, maybe even the speakership or the presidency years down the road. There are bills they want to pass, legislative reasons they came to Congress. And there are, by definition, constituents to represent.
But for Rep.-elect Tom Barrett, his mission on Thursday — during one of Congress’ more lighthearted traditions, the freshman room lottery — was an unusual one: He wanted Longworth 1232.