WASHINGTON — Freshman Congressman Mike Kelly of Butler was sworn into office today at the start of the 112th Congress.

Kelly is one of 64 Republicans who are new House members.

The GOP’s dramatic election gains will give them a 242-193 edge in the House.

Kelly won the Nov. 2 election, beating first-term Congresswoman Kathy Dahlkemper, a Democrat.

The new Senate also convened today, with Vice President Joe Biden administering the oath to lawmakers he had campaigned for and against last fall.

That included Republican Pat Toomey, who won his Pennsylvania Senate seat in November.