US News

Scott Brown, 41st Republican, sworn in to US Senate

Feb 5, 2010, 11:25 GMT

Republican Senator Scott Brown of Massachusetts delivers remarks during a press conference after being sworn-in as a member of the US Senate, on Capitol Hill in Washington, DC, USA, 04 February 2010. EPA/MICHAEL REYNOLDS

Washington - Scott Brown was sworn in Thursday as the new senator from Massachusetts, making him the US Senate's 41st Republican and officially ending the Democratic Party's super- majority in the legislative chamber.

Brown was sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden on the floor of the Senate in Washington, marking the culmination of a shock special election victory last month in the left-leaning north-eastern state to replace the late Democratic icon Ted Kennedy.

Brown defeated Democrat Martha Coakley in Massachusetts partly by channeling voter anger over massive federal budget deficits and the still-struggling US economy. Brown told reporters it was 'getting to the point where people are just fed up.'

The addition of Brown to the Senate robs Democrats of a 60-vote super-majority in the 100-member chamber, endangering much of President Barack Obama's domestic agenda.

Republicans can now effectively block all major legislation from passing the chamber through the use of filibusters, a procedural hurdle that requires 60 votes to be defeated.

Brown has insisted he will be an independent voice in the Senate. His votes would be based not on which party proposes legislation but what is good for the state of the Massachusetts: 'I don't care where it comes from.'

'There needs to be more communication between both parties,' Brown said after his swearing in. The public was 'tired of the bickering. They want people to solve their problems.'

Obama earlier Thursday called on Republicans and Democrats to engage in a more civil discourse and work together to solve a series of crises facing the country.

'We need to find our way back to civility,' Obama said at an annual National Prayer Breakfast. 'That begins with stepping out of our comfort zones in an effort to bridge divisions.'