Franken sworn in, world does not end

Eight months after the 2008 general election, the U.S. Senate finally seated its 100th member around 12:15 p.m. Tuesday when Al Franken was sworn in as the junior senator from Minnesota.

Franken was seated after prevailing in a long recount and legal battle with Republican Norm Coleman, who conceded last week that he had finished 312 votes behind Franken, a TV writer and comedian. Vice President Joe Biden conducted the swearing-in of Franken, which took about a minute to complete.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said Franken has been assigned to the Judiciary Committee, which will be considering the Supreme Court nomination of Sonia Sotomayor, and the Health Committee that will mark up healthcare reform legislation.

Contrary to predictions made by Fox News commentators, Franken’s swearing-in did not cause the earth to split open, famine and pestilence to lay waste the land, or terrorists to destroy a major American city. Franken also was not struck by lightning as he took his Senate seat. He is, however, still Jewish.