Washington ? Congressional Republicans welcomed Arnold Schwarzenegger to Capitol Hill on Wednesday with words of praise and plenty of stargazing for the governor-elect who delivered California from the Democrats.

The action hero-turned-politician also had lunch with his Uncle Ted, better known in Washington as Democratic Sen. Edward Kennedy.

Schwarzenegger’s first official visit to the nation’s capital — and the Republican-controlled Congress — was supposed to be a victory lap, but the wildfires devastating Southern California turned the trip into one-part emergency mission, one-part spectacle that electrified the Capitol’s businesslike atmosphere.

As he moved along the marbled hallways, Schwarzenegger was trailed by an entourage that seemed more suited to a visiting head of state than to a political neophyte who hasn’t been sworn into office. He was flanked by staff, a security detail, lawmakers and any number of curious onlookers. Several dozen reporters and as many as 20 television crews were there to greet him at each of his news conferences.

“He’s much more impressive in person than in pictures,” Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Calif., chairman of the House Ways and Means Committee, said of the Hollywood actor.

Schwarzenegger began his day meeting with Michael Brown, the director of the Federal Emergency Management Agency, and help for fire-scorched California was on the agenda. He also met with the House and Senate leadership, and the California congressional delegation, including Democratic Sens. Barbara Boxer and Dianne Feinstein.

“I came basically to Washington to establish relationships and to make sure we are getting more federal money for California as I promised in my campaign,” Schwarzenegger told reporters after a meeting with House Republicans. “But of course the recent events, the huge disastrous fires have changed my mission a little bit. I’m now looking for federal money for the people, the victims of the fire.”

California's gov.-elect Arnold Schwarzenegger visits the Senate floor on Capitol Hill in Washington, D.C. Schwarzenegger asked congressional leadership and the California delegation to get federal funds for the state.