GOP Senate majority shrinks by one

WASHINGTON» Democrat Doug Jones of Alabama was sworn into office Wednesday, shrinking the Senate’s Republican majority and leading lawmakers of both parties to plead for more bipartisanship as Congress tackles pressing issues before the 2018 midterm elections.

Vice President Mike Pence administered the Senate’s oath of office to Jones, the first Alabama Democrat elected to the Senate in a quarter century, and to former Minnesota Lt. Gov. Tina Smith, who was appointed to replace Sen. Al Franken, who resigned amid allegations of sexual misconduct.

Two former vice presidents, both Democrats, were there to support the Senate’s newest members as the GOP majority narrowed to 51-49. In future party-line votes, Republicans cannot afford more than one defection.

Jones was escorted to the Senate chamber by former Vice President Joseph Biden, who had headlined Jones’ campaign kickoff rally. Jones defeated Republican Roy Moore in a special election rocked by allegations of sexual misconduct against Moore.

Former Vice President Walter Mondale, along with Sen. Amy Klobuchar, D-Minn., escorted Smith to the Senate floor. She becomes the 22nd woman currently serving in the Senate, a record.

Mondale recalled that he “went through something like this in the good old days.” In 1964, Mondale was appointed to the United States Senate to fill the vacancy created when Hubert Humphrey was elected vice president.

Democrats voiced hopes that the narrowing of the GOP majority would lead to more collaboration.

“We are moving closer and closer to parity, closer and closer to one another, and I hope closer and closer in solving problems,” said Sen. Dick Durbin, DIll. “I think that was a message of the Alabama election, among other things. The American people want to see us work together.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., said Jones will “have big shoes to fill.” McConnell also noted that lawmakers from both parties wanted more “comity, collegiality and bipartisanship.”

Jones, 63, represents one of the most conservative states in the nation. He will be under pressure to find some areas of agreement with Republicans and has cited the funding of infrastructure improvements as one possible avenue.

Smith, 59, is known largely as a liberal Democrat who has maintained connections to the state’s politically powerful business community.

Smith called her swearing-in ceremony “invigorating.” She is angling for a spot on the Senate’s Agriculture Committee.