New Republican Congressman Joins Congressional Black Caucus

New Florida Congressman Rep. Allen West was just sworn in to the Congressional Black Caucus Wednesday morning as its sole Republican member.

Rep. Tim Scott, R-S.C., the other new black Republican in the 112th Congress, chose not to join the historically Democratic group.

There are 43 members in the CBC this year, and with Scott, 44 members in both the House and Senate.

The Senate lost its last two black members when President Obama went to the White House and his replacement, Sen. Roland Burris, D-IL, decided not to run for re-election.

Chairman Emanuel Cleaver, who took the committee reigns Wednesday morning, tells Fox News he's welcome, "I've heard all of the questions about whether or not we're going to omit him which is weird because he's black, he's a member. He was sworn in. We intend to work with him and honor his legislative initiatives as well."