Over the weekend, 90 soon-to-be members of the U.S. House of Representatives arrived to begin freshmen orientation. The first-term lawmakers attended a reception held by House leadership and separate dinners for Democrats and Republicans. Over the next several days, the freshmen will attend briefings on congressional ethics, office and Capitol security, and details on hiring staff.

Key for new members is understanding House rules and legislative procedures. Freshmen will receive a rules and procedures briefing by House Parliamentarian John Sullivan along with a tour of the House chambers and a 'how-to' on the House voting system.

Most of the freshman also will be meeting with their parties' caucus and conference to meet returning members of each party.

Friday is office day. Each member-elect will find out where his or her new office will be during an all-day office lottery, which gives first choice of available offices based on a random number. Once offices are vacated and refurbished, freshman will be able to move in by mid-December.

Leadership Elections

House Democrats are scheduled to elect their leaders for the 112th Congress on November 17. While Democrats have announced a plan to keep their team in place, almost anything can happen because they use secret ballots.

Moderate Representative Heath Shuler (D-NC) has mentioned in the press that, if Representative Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) does not step down, he will run for House Democratic Leader. Speaking on CNN's "State of the Union" with Joe Johns, Shuler said, "if it comes down to this coming week, and she doesn't step aside, then I will challenge her."

Shuler maintains that the Democratic caucus should have a moderate on the ballot and not force Democrats to vote only for Pelosi.

The Republicans are set to hold their leadership elections on November 18. It appears that Minority leader Representative John Boehner of Ohio will become Speaker of the House with Representative Eric Cantor (VA) becoming majority leader.

In addition, GOP Conference Chairman Mike Pence (R-IN) has decided not to seek the position for the 112th. Initially this opened the door for a fight between Tea Party-favorite Michelle Bachmann (R-MN) and Jeb Hensarling (R-TX) for the chair position, but Bachmann has since withdrawn her name from consideration and is backing Hensarling.

Last of all, there will likely be two names on the ballot for Majority Whip, Representatives Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) and Pete Sessions (R-TX), who is currently chair of the National Republican Congressional Committee.