No Delay for Franken's Swearing-In

By Paul Bedard, Washington Whispers

Despite some media reports that suggest new Minnesota Sen. Al Franken won't be sworn in for at least a week, Democratic leadership sources tell us it will happen early next week. "Either Monday or Tuesday," said an aide to Majority Leader Harry Reid. "There will be no delay," he added, dismissing media speculation that it might take two weeks for Franken to officially replace ousted Sen. Norm Coleman. It will most likely come early since Franken is eager to come to Washington and Reid has set aside next week for floor consideration of key appropriations bills, which he wants to speed through so that the Senate can take up the nomination of Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor.

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