Scott Brown -- Republican senator No. 41 -- to be sworn in Thursday

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Scott Brown, the Republican who will break the Democrats’ super-majority hold on the Senate, will be sworn in Thursday evening by Vice President Joe Biden, the White House announced.

Biden is president of the Senate and often handles the swearing-in duties.

The new Massachusetts senator, 50, had been scheduled to be sworn in next week, but the formalities were pushed ahead so he could be available to vote. With Brown, Republicans have 41 senators, enough to prevent the Democrats and the two independents who caucus with them from unilaterally breaking any filibuster.

Massachusetts officials certified Brown’s election early. The Republican, who seldom mentioned his party affiliation during the special election, campaigned against the pending healthcare overhaul legislation.

Brown defeated Massachusetts Atty. Gen. Martha Coakley, a Democrat, for the seat once held by the late Edward M. Kennedy.

-- Michael Muskal
Twitter.com/LATimesmuskal