Romney sworn in as senator

Mitt RomneyWillard (Mitt) Mitt RomneyThe Memo: Romney moves stir worries in Trump World Overnight Health Care: Dem states take first step to appeal ObamaCare ruling | Pelosi backs hearings on 'Medicare for all' | Maine governor signs order for Medicaid expansion Romney gets seat on Foreign Relations committee MORE was sworn into the Senate on Thursday, marking his formal re-entrance to Washington politics. 

Romney was sworn in by Vice President Pence to fill the seat held by outgoing Sen. Orrin HatchOrrin Grant HatchTrump praises RNC chairwoman after she criticizes her uncle Mitt Romney Romney sworn in as senator Lou Dobbs lashes out at Romney over Trump op-ed: ‘He is a treacherous fool’ MORE (R-Utah). He was accompanied on the floor by Hatch and Sen. Mike LeeMichael (Mike) Shumway LeeRomney sworn in as senator Both sides play blame game on first day of shutdown Trump digs in on border fight as shutdown stalemate drags on MORE (R-Utah). 

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The former presidential candidate was spotted hobnobbing on the Senate floor before his swear in, shaking hands with Sen. Tom CottonThomas (Tom) Bryant CottonRomney sworn in as senator Trump’s shifting Cabinet to introduce new faces Five possible successors to Mattis MORE (R-Ark.) and Sen. Christopher CoonsChristopher (Chris) Andrew CoonsSunday shows preview: Washington heads into multi-day shutdown Overnight Energy: Senators introduce bipartisan carbon tax bill | House climate panel unlikely to have subpoena power | Trump officials share plan to prevent lead poisoning Flake to co-introduce bipartisan climate bill MORE (D-Del.), backslapping retiring Sen. Bob CorkerRobert (Bob) Phillips CorkerThe Memo: Romney moves stir worries in Trump World Senate GOP names first female members to Judiciary panel Former US special envoy to anti-ISIS coalition joins Stanford University as lecturer MORE (R-Tenn.) and chatting with Sen. Kirsten GillibrandKirsten Elizabeth GillibrandTo win on anti-corruption, Democrats need to change the game plan Romney sworn in as senator Feinstein urges Biden to run in 2020 MORE (D-N.Y.). 

Romney’s swearing-in comes days after he published an op-ed critical of President TrumpDonald John TrumpTrump says he may call a national emergency to build border wall O’Rourke signals support for ‘concept’ of Green New Deal Supreme Court to take up gerrymandering cases MORE, who he argued hasn’t “risen to the mantle” of the presidency. 

The op-ed earned him pushback from President Trump, members of his own family and some of his Republican colleagues.

It’s a U-turn for Romney, who had routinely brushed off questions from reporters as he shuffled around the U.S. Capitol attending freshman orientation and largely kept his public focus off Trump following his comfortable election win. 

Reporters tried to approach him as he headed into the Senate chamber but were brushed off by a handler.  

Romney is one of nine new senators sworn, eight of whom were sworn in on Thursday. Sen.-elect Rick Scott (R-Fla.) is expected to be sworn in later this month. 

Sens. Marsha BlackburnMarsha BlackburnSenate GOP names first female members to Judiciary panel Romney sworn in as senator Lamar Alexander's exit marks end of an era in evolving Tennessee MORE (R-Tenn.), Mike BraunMichael BraunOvernight Health Care: Dem states take first step to appeal ObamaCare ruling | Pelosi backs hearings on 'Medicare for all' | Maine governor signs order for Medicaid expansion Romney sworn in as senator Tweets, confirmations and rallies: Trump's year in numbers MORE (R-Ind.), Kevin CramerKevin John Cramer2020 Election: Democrats can’t afford to ignore their Israel problem Romney sworn in as senator Hirono will donate salary earned during government shutdown MORE (R-N.D.), Josh HawleyJoshua (Josh) David HawleyRomney sworn in as senator Tweets, confirmations and rallies: Trump's year in numbers Ocasio-Cortez responds to McCaskill: 'Pretty disappointing' MORE (R-Mo.), Jacky RosenJacklyn (Jacky) Sheryl RosenOvernight Health Care: Dem states take first step to appeal ObamaCare ruling | Pelosi backs hearings on 'Medicare for all' | Maine governor signs order for Medicaid expansion Romney sworn in as senator This week: Shutdown showdown looms over new Congress MORE (D-Nev.), Kyrsten Sinema (D-Ariz.) and Martha McSallyMartha Elizabeth McSallyRomney sworn in as senator This week: Shutdown showdown looms over new Congress Progressive strategist says Arizona is becoming more favorable for Dems MORE (R-Ariz.) were also sworn in. 

McSally lost her Senate bid against Sinema last year but was appointed to fill the seat that was formerly held by the late Sen. John McCainJohn Sidney McCainHouse Dems promise to end big-money influence, then run to special-interest receptions Mitt Romney shows establishment still ignorant of wartime casualties Romney sworn in as senator MORE (R-Ariz.). 

Her ascension, as well as Rosen and Sinema, will make Nevada and Arizona two of only a handful of states to be represented by two female senators.