Cindy Hyde-Smith sworn into 117th Congress during ceremony

JACKSON, Miss. (WLBT) - U.S. Senator Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.) took the oath of office Sunday.

Vice President Mike Pence officiated during the ceremony marking the start of the 117th Congress.

“It is a great privilege and honor to serve all Mississippians, and remain grateful for the trust of my state. The serious challenges facing our great state and nation will take dedicated commitment. I will continue to be faithful to that mission, and do everything I can to help build a stronger Mississippi and country as we overcome this global pandemic and look toward a brighter, prosperous future,” Hyde-Smith said.

Hyde-Smith’s husband Michael Smith and daughter Anna-Michael attended the ceremonies, which were modified to meet COVID-19 safety precautions.

Hyde-Smith is the first woman elected to represent Mississippi in Washington, D.C. Mississippi voters in November elected the former state senator and Mississippi Commissioner of Agriculture and Commerce to a full six-year term.

Hyde-Smith has served in the U.S. Senate since April 2018 after being appointed by then-Governor Phil Bryant to the fill the seat after U.S. Senator Thad Cochran retirement. She won a special election and runoff in November 2018 to fulfill the remaining two years of Cochran’s term.