Scott Brown Sworn In as 41st GOP Senator, Says Stimulus 'Did Not Create One New Job'
Brown vows to "look at the economy first." White House disputes stimulus slam.
Feb. 4, 2010— -- Scott Brown became the 41st Republican member of the Senate today after being sworn in this evening by Vice President Joe Biden.
"I can't promise I will be right on every vote I make, but I have always tried to learn and grow and do the very best job I can on an everyday basis," said Brown, 50, in a press conference after the swearing-in ceremony.
Brown changed the political landscape in Washington with his come-from-behind victory to secure the remainder of the late Sen. Ted Kennedy's term.
He originally was scheduled to be sworn in Feb. 11, but Brown's attorney wrote to the Massachusetts governor Wednesday asking to move it up.
"There's no hidden agenda," Brown told reporters. "The answer's pretty basic: I want to get to work.
"There are a lot of votes pending that I would like to participate in," Brown said. "And ever more importantly, [these] are urgent times for our nation."
For example, he cited the president's recently proposed $3.8 trillion budget.
"I am concerned we are living beyond our means," Brown said.
Concerning reports of a pending al Qaeda attack in the next three to five months, he said, "This is frightening news."
"I want to be part of that, and work on these very important issues," he said.
He thinks it is important to "look at the economy first."
"The last stimulus bill did not create one new job," he said. "In Massachusetts, it hasn't created one new job, and throughout the country as well."
The comments came after ABC News asked Brown if he was willing to work with Democrats on a jobs bill.
"In some states, the money that was actually released hasn't even been used yet," Brown said. "We lost another 85,000 jobs again, give or take last month. ... It may have retained some but it hasn't created any new jobs. I need to see the bill."
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