Brown stresses his independence, says he would support abortion rights, spending freeze

Newly elected Sen. Scott Brown (R-Mass.) on Sunday signaled he would not serve as his party's strict, unwavering 41st vote.

While "41" once served as Brown's campaign mantra -- a label synonymous with his opposition to Democrats' healthcare reform -- he seemed to suggest during an interview on Sunday that he would break with the Republicans on key economic and social issues, including abortion and an upcoming spending freeze.

“It's cute now,” Brown told ABC's "This Week." “But everyone really is the 41st senator. And what it means is that now there will be full and fair debate. And there will be no more behind closed doors actions.”

“And make no mistake, I am a fiscal conservative," he added. "And when it comes to issues affecting people's pockets, and pocketbooks and wallets, I'll be with the Republicans if they are in fact pushing those initiatives.”

Brown later outlined a few of those specific issues on which he might break with his own party. Notably, he said Sunday he was mostly pro-choice, though he added he would oppose any measure granting federal funds for use on abortions.

The issue "is best handled between a woman and her doctor and her family," Brown explained, noting Congress had to do more to decrease the frequency of abortions and approve adoption services.

The new senator also signaled he would support the president's forthcoming plan to offer tax credits to businesses that hire new workers or enlarge paychecks for those they already employ. A number of Republicans have expressed doubts about that proposal, fearing it will not spur the uptick in hiring that Democrats allege.

Later, the Massachusetts Republican stressed he supported the president's proposed spending freeze, which most other GOPers carp is insufficient.

Brown then noted he supports Secretary Tim Geithner's stay at the helm of the Treasury Department, primarily because "the president has to work with the people he feels most comfortable with." Other Republicans, however, have started calling for Geithner's ouster, mostly because of his connection with the AIG bailout.

Together, Brown stressed his stance on those issues demonstrated his independence in a political climate that has grown increasingly partisan.

"They can do whatever they want, I just know I'm a Scott Brown Republican," he said.

But Senate Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said he long expected Brown to "an independent voice for Massachusetts." He stressed to CNN's "State of the Union" on Sunday that the GOP was a "big tent party" that welcomed lawmakers from across the conservative spectrum, Brown included.

“He emphasized to me exactly what he said publicly," McConnell said. "We expect that. Republicans from the northeast are not exactly like Republicans from the south or the west, we understand that.

"And I know that he’ll be an aggressive for the people of Massachusetts,” the leader added.

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