Katie Britt ‘ready to hit the ground running’ after swearing-in: How to watch the ceremony
Katie Britt will be sworn in Tuesday as the first woman elected to the U.S. Senate by Alabama’s voters. Viewers will have broadcast and streaming options to see the ceremony.
“Taking the oath of office is incredibly humbling,” Sen-elect Britt said in a statement released by her office on Monday.
“As people across America approach this time of year with a sense of renewal and optimism while undertaking New Year’s resolutions, I want Alabamians to hear this commitment directly from me: I am firmly resolved to never be outworked and to always make Alabama proud in the United States Senate. Being entrusted to serve as Alabama’s U.S. Senator is a tremendous honor and responsibility. I am ready to hit the ground running to fight for hardworking families in every corner of our great state and to preserve the American Dream for generations to come.”
According to information from Britt’s office, the swearing-in will take place shortly after the 188th Congress convenes at 11 a.m. Central time. Live viewing options include C-SPAN 2 and the C-SPAN2 livestream (log-in required). It also can be seen on the Senate’s livestream at www.senate.gov.
According to Britt’s office, fellow Alabama Republican Sen. Tommy Tuberville will escort Britt to Vice President Kamala Harris, who as the Senate’s presiding officer will administer the oath of office.
Members of Britt’s family will witness the proceedings from the Senate gallery, and “hundreds of Alabamians” have told Britt’s office they plan to travel to Washington for the occasion.
Britt won a decisive victory in November with 67% of the vote, over Democratic nominee Will Boyd (31%) and Libertarian candidate John Sophocleus (2%). She will be taking the seat left vacant by the retirement of Richard Shelby, whom she once served as chief of staff.
In a recent AL.com interview, Shelby said of his successor that “it takes a while to build seniority and power base here. … You have a young senator coming up in Katie Britt who is loaded with potential and knows what is going on. She worked right here in this same office. I think she will be very adept at the needs of Alabama.”
Britt, a native of Enterprise, is the second youngest woman ever elected to the U.S. Senate and the youngest Republican woman elected Senator.
She also is the only Republican woman in the Senate with school-aged children and has referred to herself as a “mama on a mission.”