MOST DIVERSE CONGRESS EVER--FINALLY!

08:01 PM ET

Meet the 113th Congress: More diverse than ever

By Jim Acosta, CNN National Political Correspondent

Washington (CNN) - The newly sworn-in 113th Congress is the most diverse group of representatives in history, reflecting changing demographics and changing public attitudes.

The New America: What the election teaches us about ourselves

98 women,
43 African-Americans,
31 Latinos,
12 Asian-American and Pacific Islanders,
and seven gay and bisexual members are now new members of the House and Senate.

 Plus, there is the first Buddhist member in the Senate and Hindu member in the House of Representatives.
“It means that we reflect America more,” said newly elected Rep. Tammy Duckwork, an Illinois Democrat. “And it is good to see Congress starting to look more like the rest of America.”