Scott Brown Sworn In To U.S. Senate: 'I Want to Get to Work'

Scott Brown, who stunned Democrats with his victory in the race to replace the late Ted Kennedy in the U.S. Senate, was sworn into office Thursday. By becoming the 41st Republican in the Senate, Brown erases the Democrats' 60-vote filibuster-proof majority.

Vice President Joe Biden was on hand to perform the ceremony as Brown's wife, Gail Huff, watched from a gallery above the floor. Brown's two daughters stayed at college instead of flying to Washington for the ceremony, but he said he carried a Bible from each of them to have them with him in spirit.

Just after 5:00 p.m., Brown walked onto the Senate floor for the first time flanked by Massachusetts Sens. John Kerry and Paul Kirk, who was appointed as the temporary replacement for Kennedy. Senate tradition calls for the senior senator from the state to escort the state's newest senator to the swearing in.

With his daughters' Bibles in his left hand and his right hand raised, Brown said "I do," when Biden asked if he accepted the oath of office. Biden said, "Congratulations, senator," and Brown's new colleagues, both Democrats and Republicans, shook his hand and welcomed him to his new job. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) gave him an enthusiastic hug.

Moments later, Brown held his first Capitol Hill press conference, where explained why he wanted to take his seat as quickly as possible. "There is no hidden agenda," he said. "I want to get to work."

After his statement, the new senator was greeted with a hail of reporters' questions, but opted for the safest choice for his first day on the job by returning few detailed answers.

How specifically will he be an independent voice in the Senate? Brown said he needs to see which issues are coming down the pike to decide.

What does he think about lifting "don't ask, don't tell?" He said he wants to talk to the generals in the field to hear their thoughts on making changes.

Will he vote for the National Labor Relations Board nominee pending in the Senate? He's still getting a briefing on that.

Overall, Brown made it clear that he's for tax cuts and a tough terror policy, against debts and big government, and is open to bipartisan negotiations on health care and anything else that's "good for Massachusetts."

One question he did answer easily was an inquiry on the whereabouts of his famous pickup truck. "It's coming down next week," he said.

Brown featured the pickup in his spirited Senate campaign, along with his promise to be the "41st vote" against health care reform. But it remains an open question whether he will vote in lockstep with Republicans in the Senate or whether he'll forge his own way in representing his state, which leans liberal.

When Politics Daily asked Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell whether Brown would be a reliable 41st vote against the Democratic agenda, McConnell smiled and said, "You'd have to ask Sen. Brown that question."