While she's already started her new job on Capitol Hill, a special swearing-in ceremony was held Sunday for Rep. Kathleen Rice.

The ceremony took place at the Yes We Can Community Center in Westbury.

The former Nassau County district attorney won the seat in the November elections, long held by Carolyn McCarthy who retired.

Rice, a Democrat, says with Republicans now controlling Congress, she knows there is an uphill battle ahead.

The ceremony comes just a few days ahead of Pres. Barack Obama's State of the Union address.