With loss of long - serving senators , a new Senate is formed . First Japanese - American woman and first openly gay woman joined Senate this year . Despite some of the nostalgia surrounding some of the old bulls who were more comfortable compromising and cutting deals , they believe the GOP conference is working harder than ever . Record number of women now serve and growing number of women have young children . Aggressive Democrats are shaking up makeup of Republican side of the aisle .
With loss of long - serving senators , a new Senate is formed . First Japanese - American woman and first openly gay woman joined Senate this year . Record number of women now serve and growing number of women have young children . Aggressive Democrats are shaking up makeup of Republican side of the aisle .