Al Franken sworn in as Senator from Minnesota to standing ovation

[BirminghamExaminer]

Excerpt:

Senator Al Franken was sworn in to the U.S. Senate on July 7, 2009. Franken is the 60th Democratic senator. It took eight months for Al Franken to be sworn in after the November elections. Minnesota suffered through numerous recounts and court challenges by opponent and incumbent, Norm Coleman.

Though Franken's seat gives Democrats the full majority in the senate, President Obama has been able to sign a number of bills into law including the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act, the S-Chip bill that provides health insurance for children, the Lily Ledbetter act, credit card reform just to name a few.

Having a 60th Democratic Senator will help the president in future acts of legislation and none is more important than the health reform bill that the pharmaceutical companies and health insurance companies have fought so hard to block. It will also help Democrats block any filibusters planned by the Republicans.

The new junior Senator from Minnesota was sworn in by Vice-President Joe Biden to a standing ovation and applause that lasted nearly 3 minutes.

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[zbdent]

1. I wonder how many Repukes excused themselves to spend 20 minutes

in the men's room before the swearing in started ...