The Republican from Butler, who defeated one-term Democratic Rep. Kathy Dahlkemper, of Erie, in the Nov. 2 election for the 3rd Congressional District seat, attended an orientation session in Washington for new members of the 112th Congress.

A total of 94 soon-to-be freshman legislators — 85 Republicans and nine Democrats — took part in the orientation, which helps new House members learn the processes of Congress.

The new members will be sworn in on Jan. 3.

“This has been kind of a push and rush through, like your first week of college,” Kelly said in a telephone interview from Washington last week.