A CHANGE OF PLAN
by Sharon Rondeau
(Feb. 3, 2010) — In a surprising last-minute development, various media outlets are reporting that Senator-elect Scott Brown (R) of Massachusetts will be sworn in as the junior senator from that state at 5:00 p.m. tomorrow, February 4, by Vice President Joseph Biden.
The original swearing-in ceremony had been expected on February 11. Brown defeated Democrat contender Martha Coakley in a special election on January 19, 2010, held to replace the late Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D), who had held the seat for almost five decades before his death in August 2009.
According to The Boston Herald earlier this evening, “U.S. Sen.-elect Scott Brown has demanded his official swearing-in ceremony be pushed up to tomorrow afternoon saying there are upcoming vital votes in Congress – and the governor’s office said today he’ll get his wish.”
Also today, Daniel B. Winslow, attorney representing Scott Brown, hand-delivered a letter addressed to “His Excellency” Deval Patrick and Secretary of the Commonwealth William F. Galvin stating that since the election returns were certified today and several Senate votes scheduled prior to February 11, the tentative date for Brown’s swearing-in, “he wants certification to occur immediately.”
According to The Huffington Post, Governor Patrick’s office has confirmed that it will sign Brown’s election certificate at 9:30 a.m. tomorrow in front of the Governor’s Council, as required by Massachusetts law.
A spokesman for Brown, Eric Fehrnstrom, stated, “Since the election results are now complete, there’s no reason to wait. Senator-elect Brown wants to take his seat and participate in the votes that are coming up.” Fehrnstrom cited anticipated votes on nominees for GSA administrator, the National Labor Relations Board and Solicitor of Labor.