Politics on the Hudson

Congressman-elect John Hall returned to Washington, D.C. today to complete an orientation program for new members. Before leaving, Hall had a breakfast meeting with Westchester County Executive Andrew J. Spano.

Tomorrow, Hall and the other freshman members of Congress will attend a foreign policy briefing on Iraq featuring remarks from former National Security Advisor Zbigniew Brzezinski, former Ambassador Richard Holbrooke and Major General John Batiste. Wednesday’s briefing will focus on the federal budget and national economy.

Hall plans to meet this week with the New York Congressional delegation to discuss “cooperative projects, both ongoing and those we hope to initiate,” he said.

In his free time, Hall will look for lodging in Washington and interview potential staffers for his congressional and district offices.

Hall, a Democrat, who replaces Republican Sue Kelly as the representative from District 19 in January, spent last week at a special program for new members of Congress held at Harvard University’s John F. Kennedy School of Government.

Primary opponent Darren Rigger of Peekskill, a Democratic staffer and consultant, has returned to Washington with Hall to help him prepare for the 110th Congress.