Meet 'The Bloc': the incoming far-left freshmen pose on the Capitol steps for first-day-of-school photos

A group of incoming left-wing House Democrats known as "The Bloc" gathered on the Capitol steps Thursday for yearbook-style photos during a break from new-member orientation, the New York Post reports.

Reps.-elect Darializa Avila Chevalier and Claire Valdez of New York, Brad Lander of New York, Melat Kiros of Colorado, Adam Hamawy of New Jersey, Donavan McKinney of Michigan, Daniel Biss of Illinois, Dan Koh of Massachusetts, Chris Rabb of Pennsylvania, Angela Gonzales-Torres of California, Frederick Haynes III of Texas and Patty Garcia of Illinois were among those in the group. Rep. Analilia Mejía of New Jersey, a former top Bernie Sanders campaign aide, stood front and center.

The nickname has been used since at least September for the informal coalition, which has coordinated strategy since the primaries. "They're moving as a bloc," a progressive operative told Politico. The group appears to be setting itself apart from the "Squad" led by Reps. Alexandria Ocasio-Cortez and Rashida Tlaib.

Afterward, several members posted selfies. Koh, flashing a peace sign, wrote, "A freshman class that looks like America." McKinney set his "Freshman Class Picture Day" photos to Gucci Mane's "Photo Shoot." Gonzales-Torres, a DSA-backed Democrat from Los Angeles, set hers to Ice Cube.

More than 100 incoming members are in Washington for a 10-day course on how to serve in Congress.