Filibusted

Scott Brown to Be Sworn In Today

Newest GOP senator takes the oath in afternoon.

Massachusetts Senator-elect Scott Brown will be sworn in as the successor to Ted Kennedy as early as Thursday at 5 p.m., a spokesman for Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said. Brown’s attorney had written Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick, urging him to certify the election results immediately. Earlier plans set the swearing-in date for February 11. Brown’s election ends the Democrats’ 60-vote filibuster-proof supermajority in the Senate once he takes his place as the 41st Republican. (Barack Obama reminded Democrats Wednesday that they still have the largest majority in decades.) Brown has asked for a seat on the Senate Appropriations Committee.