Washington - Al Franken was sworn in Tuesday as Minnesota's second US senator, filling the legislative chamber's final spot after his extremely tight victory in the state's 2008 election. Franken, a former comedian, was declared the winner of Minnesota's Senate election only last week, more than six months after voters in the state went to the polls.
The state's highest court ruled that Franken won by 312 votes out of 2.9 million over incumbent Republican Senator Norm Coleman, after months of recounts and legal challenges.
Franken's victory gives Democrats 60 seats in the 100-member US Senate and could make it much easier for the party to push its priorities. Due to procedural rules in the chamber, major legislation typically requires a super majority of 60 votes to pass.
