Brown Likely To Be Sworn In Thursday

It appears Scott Brown could be sworn in as Massachusetts' new Republican senator Thursday. The senator-elect told WBUR he wants to be sworn in immediately because, he said, "I want to do my job."

The office of Sen. Majority Leader Harry Reid said Brown is expected to be sworn in at 5 p.m. "If he wants in to be sworn in tomorrow, we will do so," said Jim Manley in Reid's office.

A spokesman for Gov. Deval Patrick said the required certification by the secretary of state will be made available to the Brown campaign by 9:30 a.m., after the governor has signed it.

Vice President Joe Biden, who would conduct the swearing-in, has not yet returned calls seeking comment.

Until now, Brown had seemed content to wait until Feb. 11 to be sworn in. Reached by phone Wednesday while on military duty, Brown told WBUR: "It's been two weeks," and "there are votes to be taken."

Brown's campaign counsel delivered a letter (PDF) Wednesday to Gov. Deval Patrick and Secretary of State William Galvin requesting immediate certification of his Jan. 19 election victory. Brown, the letter said, "has been advised there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date."

The letter did not specify exactly which congressional votes the senator-elect hopes to weigh in on.

The letter asks for certification no later than 11 a.m. Thursday "in time to allow Sen.-elect Brown to be administered the oath of office by the Vice President (Thursday) afternoon."

The appeal comes as certified election returns from Massachusetts cities and towns were transmitted to the Governor's Council by Galvin's aides Wednesday morning. Gov. Patrick was not present at this council meeting, but was expected to reconvene at 9:30 a.m. Thursday to sign the results.

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