From The UpTake's Noah Kunin in Washington, DC
Shortly after Al Franken was sworn in as the junior Senator from Minnesota he attended a reception in his honor in the Hart Senate Offices Building a few blocks north of the United States Capitol. A full house of over four hundred supporters campaign workers and family friends (including two members of the Grateful Dead) related their backing of Franken over the years.
Franken joked that it would take forever to thank everyone that helped him, not including those who "were just along for the ride". At other times Franken was filled with emotion but not overcome by it, forcing back tears at several points while referencing his family or the late Senator Paul Wellstone.
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Senator Al Franken Sworn In On Senate Floor
Ending an 8 month odyssey of recounts and court challenges, Al Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's Junior US Senator filling a seat that has been vacant since former Senator Norm Coleman's term expired in January.
Franken may be the "60th vote" that is sometime needed to stop a filibuster on the Senate floor. There are now 58 Democrats and two independents that caucus with the Democrats.
Senator Amy Klobuchar knows exactly how many days Minnesota has been without a second Senator. That's because her office has been picking up all the extra work. She spoke on the Senate Floor today moments before Al Franken was sworn in as Minnesota's Junior US Senator