WASHINGTON, D.C. — The 116th Congress is officially open and new the new house speaker has been elected.

The Congress has the most diverse class of freshmen lawmakers in history, with 102 women in the House and 25 in the Senate, along with increases in the number of African American, Hispanic, Asian and Native American members. 

Nancy Pelosi was also formally elected House Speaker Thursday afternoon. She won a vote before the full House with 220 votes. Republican Kevin McCarthy was received 192 from his party.

Pelosi and McCarthy were the only two officially nominated candidates, however 18 lawmakers voted "other" while three voted "present."

Pelosi took her oath surrounded by children who were in the chamber Thursday as family members of congressmen.

"I now call the House to order on behalf of all of America's children," Pelosi said as she banged the gavel.

The California Democrat is the only woman who has held that post. In her remarks, she laid out an agenda for the new majority, saying the American people "have demanded a new dawn."

Her agenda called for protecting Medicare, Medicaid and Social Security, addressing climate change, which she called the existential threat of our time, and pursuing lower health care and prescription drug costs.

While Pelosi says she knew this moment would arrive, it was not guaranteed. Others had their doubts or actively worked against her. She compromised that she would retire soon to gain the necessary votes.

President Trump, meanwhile, surprised White House reporters with his first appearance in the briefing room Thursday. 

He used the time to congratulate Pelosi, calling her election a "tremendous, tremendous achievement."

Trump said he was hopeful the two sides would come together on issues like infrastructure.