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Heard on the Hill: Guess Who’s Back in Town

Hordes of former Members and political heavy hitters were spotted during the swearing-in ceremonies Wednesday — so many that one HOH spy joked, “It’s like old home week over here.”

In the Senate, former Alaska Sen. and Gov. Frank Murkowski (R) cheered on his daughter, Sen. Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska). Vice President Joseph Biden fulfilled his duties as president of the Senate, while ex-Veep Dan Quayle made an appearance on the floor. Quayle, who served in the Senate in the 1980s, presumably was on the Hill to celebrate the swearing-in of his son, Rep. Ben Quayle (R-Ariz.).

Ex-Sens. Elizabeth Dole (R-N.C.), Mel Martinez (R-Fla.) and Paul Laxalt (R-Nev.) were also seen near the chamber.

On the House side, HOH eyed newly retired Rep. Diane Watson (D-Calif.) on the floor.

But another ex-Member, talk-show host Joe Scarborough, garnered enough attention to rival Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio). Scarborough, who served in the House as a Florida Republican from 1995 to 2001, mingled with GOPers at the back right side of the chamber during the vote for Speaker and then chatted up top Democrats such as Minority Whip Steny Hoyer (Md.) and Rep. John Lewis (Ga.).

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