Tweet Beat: The Best Congressional Tweets of the Week

It’s the start of a new year in Congress, which means two things: (1) our representatives are rehashing all the mistakes of the previous year, and (2) they’re worrying about upstart pipsqueaks stealing their seats in 2010. So expect to see a lot of local pride from them in coming weeks, combined with plenty of snipes about federal spending and the occasional comment about the weather. So not much different from any other week then. Oh well.

Mad props to Leonard Boswell and Joe Wilson for starting 2010 with an air of optimism, even if Joe Wilson’s is appreciation for the fact that a televised outburst of rudeness to hundreds of millions of people worldwide provided a welcome boost in profile and campaign donations. We’ll take what we can get. And boos to John Boehner, Mike Coffman and Eric Cantor for reminding us that it’s business as usual. Randy Neugebauer has the dorkiest New Year’s Resolution we’ve ever heard, Ben Nelson is mad at Taiwan, Kirsten Gillibrand is concerned with Asian Carp and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen is worried about both her kids and an unseasonal cold snap in Florida. Rob Wittman has gone back to school. And John McCain is the most popular man in the world, again.

jaredpolis: Say hello to SIR Jean-Luc Picard http://bit.ly/4UqS21
Rep. Jared Polis, CO.

JohnCornyn: Happy New Year from Delhi
Sen. John Cornyn, TX.

LeonardBoswell: Happy New Year to ALL. The Eternal hope within me is that 2010 will be better for us. We are READY! Together we can do it, and WE WILL!
Rep. Leonard Boswell, IA.

GOPLeader: Republican leaders call on White House to stop sending Gitmo terrorists to other countries, including Yemen http://bit.ly/5YSLS9
Rep. John Boehner, OH.

RepMikeCoffman: RT: America’s national debt at the end of the last decade was $5.66 trillion. America’s debt at the end of this decade is $12.2 trillion.
Rep. Mike Coffman, CO.

CongJoeWilson: Happy New Year! 2009 has been extraordinary for me due to family, loyal staff, and supporters, I will always be grateful your encouragement.
Rep. Joe Wilson, SC.

IRL: Always worry when the kids go out on New Year’s Eve. Parents r made 4 worrying. It never ends.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL.

petehoekstra: Just getting home. Spent New Years Day in Yemen. Long trip but well worth it. I’ll keep you posted
Rep. Pete Hoekstra, MI.

RepShimkus: Psalm 118:8 It is better to trust in the Lord than to put confidence in man.
Rep. John Shimkus, IL.

RandyNeugebauer: My New Year’s resolution is to continue holding the government accountable and put an end to reckless spending in Washington. What’s yours?
Rep. Randy Neugebauer, TX.

SenJohnMcCain: Over 1.7 million followers!! Thanks everyone – keep tweeting!
Sen. John McCain, AZ.

bobinglis: Sending out press release now challenging my opponents to debate. I want to hear their solutions. It’s easy to oppose; harder to propose.
Rep. Bob Inglis, SC.

GOPWhip: For 10 months, the Administration and many on Capitol Hill have been unwilling to call a terrorist a terrorist
Rep. Eric Cantor, VA.

JudgeCarter: NPR: Republicans making social media push: http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=121891988
Rep. John Carter, TX.

SenGillibrand: I’ve called for closure of Chicago locks to stop spread of Asian carp into Grt Lakes.Plsd that AG Cuomo has joined lawsuit to make it happen
Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, NY.

SenBenNelson: Sen Nelson: “greatly concerned” by Taiwan’s decision today to restrict US beef trade: http://bit.ly/7cPM9S
Sen. Ben Nelson, NE.

IRL: Big Chill even in Miami. OK, it’s only 53 but still…Ready 4 The Big Warm. Worried 4 plant nurseries+growers. Lots of tropical fruits here.
Rep. Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, FL.

RepTomPrice: It’s time for Democrats to let the American people inside the room.
Rep. Tom Price, GA.

pedropierluisi: Feliz Dia de Reyes.
Hon. Pedro Pierluisi, PR.

ChuckGrassley: At iowa homeless yoUth centers award ceremony. GREAT ORGANIZATION
Sen. Chuck Grassley, IA.

clairecmc: Very worried about workers at ABB Power in St Louis. Workplace shooting this morning. At least three people shot. Still don’t have shooter.
Sen. Claire McCaskill, MO.

RobWittman: I am having a great time learning from Mrs. Tate’s 5th grade class at Cople Elementary School!
Rep. Rob Wittman, VA.

SenJohnMcCain: The Harris Poll on Jan 7, 2010: John McCain Seen as Most Influential Republican and as Leading Voice of the Party
Sen. John McCain, AZ.

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Sophie Gilbert