Scott Brown Sworn Into Senate
Sen. Scott Brown has been sworn in as the newest member of the United States Senate.
Brown, the Massachusetts Republican whose special election victory over Martha Coakley ended the Democrats' Senate supermajority, was sworn into office on the Senate floor by Vice President Joe Biden.
Brown was flanked at the ceremony by Democratic Massachusetts Sen. John Kerry and former Democratic Party Chairman Paul Kirk, who he is replacing as his state's junior senator.
Kirk was appointed to what is now Brown's seat following the death of longtime Sen. Ted Kennedy.
Following his swearing in, Brown told reporters that while he "can't promise I'll be right in every vote I make," he has "always tried to learn and grow and will always try to do the very best job I can on an everyday basis."
Brown was originally scheduled to be sworn in next week but asked Wednesday for the timeline to be sped up. He said Thursday that the reason was simple: "I want to get to work."
The 50-year-old senator said "there are a lot of votes pending that I would like to participate in," telling reporters these are "urgent times for our nation." He also spoke critically of President Obama's $3.8 trillion budget proposal, saying he is "concerned that we are living beyond our means."
Brown went on to criticize the president's economic stimulus package, claiming it hasn't created any new jobs, and call for an across-the-board tax cut. He said when it comes to taxes "people are just fed up and want some kind of relief."
Between the official swearing-in and media availability, Brown and Biden stopped briefly in the Old Senate Chamber for a mock swearing-in. As he posed for photographs, Brown said it has been "humbling to be here and meet the vice president," adding that he has "always enjoyed" Biden's sense of humor.
Brown introduced Biden to his wife, Gail. The three discussed their children and the Browns' plans going forward, with Biden telling Scott Brown "I hope you enjoy [the Senate] as much as I do."
At one point the vice president quipped, "I hate being with good looking guys."
At his press availability, Brown thanked his family and supporters and offered a special thank you to Sen. John McCain, one of his earliest backers. He noted he had been sworn in on Bibles belonging to his two daughters, who could not attend the event because they had a basketball game and a test.
Brown's victory was certified on Thursday morning by Massachusetts Gov. Deval Patrick. His upset win gives Republicans 41 votes in the Senate, enough to block Democrats' agenda if they remain unified. He will serve the remaining two years of Kennedy's term.
His first vote could be on the confirmation of Craig Becker, a union attorney, to a seat on the National Labor Relations Board. Republicans have blocked Becker's appointment out of concerns that he will make labor laws more union friendly without Congressional input.