YOUNGSTOWN Ryan says he'll go to freshman training

The congressman-elect had initially planned to miss most of the session because of state Senate obligations.
By DAVID SKOLNICK
VINDICATOR POLITICS WRITER
YOUNGSTOWN -- U.S. Rep.-elect Timothy J. Ryan changed his mind and will fly to Washington, D.C., tonight for a three-day freshman orientation.
Ryan, a Niles Democrat, had said last week that he was going to miss most of the orientation for new members of Congress, which runs from Tuesday to Thursday, because he felt obligated to serve in the state Senate, which has a session at the same time.
But Ryan, who was to fly back to the Mahoning Valley from a Florida vacation this afternoon, is opting to go to Washington, said Patrick Lowry, his spokesman. Ryan will fly out of Cleveland Hopkins International Airport to Washington at 7 tonight, Lowry said.
"He had to make a choice as to what he should do and felt it was best to go to Washington," Lowry said of Ryan. "He has a lot going on in Columbus. But freshman orientation begins tomorrow. The issues that were going to be discussed there just seemed to make it imperative that he be in Washington."
Ryan will be in Washington at least through Friday, Lowry said.
Lowry said he did not know if criticism Ryan received when he initially decided to go to Columbus instead of Washington played a factor in the congressman-elect changing his mind.
State Senate issues
Among the issues expected to be considered by the state Senate during its lame-duck session this week include a tort reform bill that would provide caps on certain medical malpractice damages and make other changes, an overhaul to the state's charter school law, and the passage of a $60 million to $90 state construction budget.
Ryan was initially going to fly Thursday to Washington and attend a makeup session being held this weekend for incoming members of Congress who miss the orientation.
Orientation helps new members of Congress get acclimated to their surroundings, and political experts say the process is an unparalleled opportunity for freshmen to meet their colleagues, begin hiring staff, and work to get assigned to House committees. The orientation also includes briefings on how to set up offices, allocate office budgets and handle administrative responsibilities.
Ryan wants to serve on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. Former U.S. Rep. James A. Traficant Jr., who was kicked out of Congress in July, served on that committee for several years.
Ryan beat Republican Ann Womer Benjamin of Aurora and Traficant of Poland, who is serving an eight-year federal prison sentence for bribery and racketeering, in last week's general election. There are about 50 new members of Congress.
Ryan is expected back in Washington on Nov. 21, when the House holds a lottery to establish senority among members with the same length of service. The best offices go to the most senior lawmakers.
skolnick@vindy.com