WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Scott Brown, the Massachusetts Republican who won late Senator Edward Kennedy's Senate seat, could be sworn into office on Thursday if he is formally certified the winner, Senate aides said.
Massachusetts Governor Deval Patrick is expected to certify Brown's upset victory over Democrat Martha Coakley on Thursday, clearing the way for him to enter the Senate, aides said.
Brown will become the 41st Republican in the 100-member chamber, eliminating the Democrats' 60-seat supermajority that is needed to overcome procedural hurdles on important bills such as healthcare reform.
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Congressional Democrats drew closer on Thursday to agreement on a broad healthcare overhaul that could clear the way for a final vote in the next few weeks.
Congressional Democrats on Tuesday cast doubt on their chances of meeting the White House's March 18 deadline for voting on a stalled healthcare overhaul.
