Brown asks to be seated immediately

Sen.-elect Scott Brown (R) asked top Massachusetts officials to take actions that would allow him to be seated this Thursday instead of next Thursday.

Brown's legal counsel wrote Gov. Deval Patrick (D) and Secretary of State William Galvin asking them to certify the election results immediately, which would allow him to be sworn in to the U.S. Senate as early as Thursday.

"While Sen.-elect Brown had tentatively planned to be sworn into office February 11, he has been advised that there are a number of votes scheduled prior to that date," his attorneys wrote. "For that reason, he wants certification to occur immediately."

It's not clear, however, how much more the process could be expedited. Galvin's office has already delivered the results of the election for certification, which is scheduled to occur Thursday morning at 9:30 a.m.

Brown's counsel did not identify what votes were to be held. No major votes are expected on the Senate floor this week.

The office of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) has not yet said whether the Senate could swear in Brown this Thursday.

According to the Associated Press, Massachusetts Lt. Gov. Timothy Murray (D) said Brown could be sworn in earlier if Senate officials agree, and that the later date gives Brown time to hire a staff and complete preparations for his new job.

Brown's attorneys requested to be provided with a copy of the certification to hand-deliver to Senate officials in time for him to be sworn in this Thursday.

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