Congresswoman works to unite Washington, represent Delaware

Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester is the first African-American and the first female to represent the first state.  

During her first term she’s not only been learning on the fly, but shouldering important responsibilities.  

“I have to say there is a lot of energy,” said Blunt Rochester. “I never served before so when people say this is so bad, it's such a busy hectic pace…for me this is the normal and it's just humbling and exciting.”    

During what has been a fast-paced often crazy first five months, Blunt Rochester says she has been working to lay a foundation and build a team that will fight for the first state.  

“For me right now it's about building. Building that infrastructure, building that team and really being there for Delaware,” said Blunt Rochester.  

“I came into this from a position of losing my husband and I knew what it feels like to have a loss,” said the Congresswoman. “You know I talked about this a lot because I don't want to forget. People lost their homes, they lost their jobs and then there are people who are losing their kids to gun violence. They need to know I hear you, I see you, I care, and I'm fighting for you. It's that simple.”  

The Representative is the first African-American and the first woman to serve the state of Delaware, and that's something she often thinks about when faced with difficult decisions.  

“As a woman, as a person of color, you know in addition to representing all Delawareans, I also feel a responsibility to little girls and to even people who have been widowed,” said Blunt Rochester. “I know I represent them so it is not lost on me every day when I go to the floor of the house. We have a saying when Lisa goes to Washington we all go to Washington. And I feel like I'm taking all of us with me.”  

Blunt Rochester also brings fresh perspective and is a self-proclaimed unifier trying to make a difference in a place that is better-known for grid lock.  

“I think the prescription is to let people know that we care and we are fighting for you,” said Blunt Rochester. “In those areas where we can work together and across the aisle, I'm going to be that person that does that.”  

Part 2 of our Political Insider segment with Congresswoman Lisa Blunt Rochester will air Tuesday at 5:30 during the 47 ABC News Hour.