Following yesterdays swearing in of Rep. Garamendi, our newest member of Congress, Rep. Bill Owens was sworn in this afternoon. Rep. Owens won a special election in New York's 23rd Congressional District. The district became vacant when Rep. McHugh was confirmed by the Senate as the United States Secretary of the Army.

Rep. Owens becomes the first Democrat to represent his district since the mid nineteenth century. Owens' election is the fifth consecutive Congressional special election win by Democrats.

Earlier today Representative John Garamendi was sworn in as the newest member of Congress. Garamendi was elected this past Tuesday and will represent the tenth Congressional district in California. The position became vacant when Rep. Jane Harman was confirmed by the Senate as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security.

Rep. Garamendi has served the people of California since 1974, being elected to the offices of State Assemblyman, State Senator, Insurance Commissioner and most recently Lieutenant Governor. You can watch the swearing in ceremony and remarks from Rep. Garamendi here.

The House Republicans' proposal WON’T stop insurance companies from denying coverage based on a pre-existing condition - in fact people with pre-existing medical conditions would pay up to 50 percent more for insurance coverage. It WOULDN’T prohibit insurance companies from canceling someone’s coverage an individual becomes sick and needs it most. And it DOESN’T include tax credits to help individuals buy insurance on the private market or cap the amount insurance companies can charge annually for out-of-pocket costs.

Steve Benen may have put it best: “It's a proposal only an insurance company executive could love.”

"In both Virginia and New Jersey we had strong candidates who were running against a significant historical tide and faced uphill battles from the start of this campaign. In New Jersey, the party in power in the White House hasn't won the Governor's office since 1985 and the party in power in the White House hasn't won the Governor's office in Virginia since 1977. It would have been historic if not unprecedented to win one or both of these races given historical trends.

"These races turned on local and state issues and circumstances and on the candidates in each race - and despite what some will certainly claim - the results are not predictive of the future or reflective of the national mood or political environment. Exit polls showed that both races turned on local issues. And, in each state, the President's approval ratings are better today than the share of the vote he received in each state in 2008.

"However, perhaps the most consequential race of the night was the special election in the 23rd Congressional District of New York in which the Republican candidate, a moderate, was purged from the Republican Party by the most extreme elements of the conservative right wing including Sarah Palin, Rush Limbaugh and Glenn Beck. This race turned out to be the worst of all possible worlds for Republicans as not only did the Democrat, Bill Owens, win a seat that Democrats have not held in more than 100 years, but what occurred in New York has exposed a war within the Republican Party that will not soon end. It played itself out in Pennsylvania earlier this year when longtime Republican Senator Arlen Specter became a Democrat and is playing itself out in House, Senate and Gubernatorial races nationwide. The all out war between Republicans and the far right wing is a disaster for the Republican Party and will dog it well after today."

Voters in New Jersey can find their polling location here.

Voters in New York's 23rd District can find their polling location here.

Voters in Virginia can find their polling location here.

No matter where you are, you can help get out the vote in these key states by making phone calls from home using our online tools. Turnout is key in off-year races, and just a few minutes on the phone can make a huge difference in a tight race. 

Click here to call voters in New Jersey.

Click here to call voters in New York's 23rd District.

Click here to call voters in Virginia.

One year ago, we saw firsthand the impact that these phone calls and conversations can have. It's election day, and you know what to do.