Speaker of the House John Boehner swore in Congressman Gerry Connolly (D-11th) Thursday for Connolly's third term in office.

Connolly was re-elected Nov. 6, beating out Republican Chris Perkins.

Connolly was surrounded Thursday by friends and family at his swearing-in ceremony on Capitol Hill. The oath of office officiated by the speaker is ceremonial, conducted after an official swearing-in of the entire Congress at noon on the floor of the U.S. House of Representatives.

The first day of the 113th Congress Thursday came on the heels of a tumultuous debate over the "fiscal cliff," voted on by the House on New Year's Day.

Though he had reservations, Congressman Connolly was the only House member in Virginia to vote for the bill, siding with Senators Mark Warner and Jim Webb.