Brown to be sworn in immediately

BOSTON (WWLP/AP) - It's set to be a historical day in Massachusetts and in Washington. Senator Elect Scott Brown decided he'd waited long enough and made a successful push to be sworn into office today.

The swearing in ceremony was supposed to take place next Thursday, February 11, but it appears it will now happen tonight.

Brown's attorney petitioned Governor Deval Patrick and Secretary of State Bill Galvin for an immediate certification of last month's special election.

Galvin quickly delivered official copies of the election results to the Governor's Council. The governor will sign Brown's election certificate in the council's presence during a ceremony in Boston around 9:30 a.m. on Thursday.

Afterwards, Brown will travel to Washington, D.C. to be sworn in by Vice President Joe Biden. The ceremony will take place at the US Capitol at 5 o’clock.

Brown said earlier that he needed time before taking office to hire a staff and prepare for his new job.

So what's the reason for the accelerated start? The senator-elect says he's eager to get to Washington because there are votes scheduled in the Senate that he wants to participate in.

Republicans wanted a faster timetable and accused Democrats of stalling the process. Governor Patrick insists that's not true.