There’s been a lot of heat but precious little light about how long of a lag there will be between tomorrow’s election in Massachusetts and the new senator actually being seated.
It’s a critical question if Scott Brown wins tomorrow because that will be the end of the 60-vote Democratic majority. But just when would the end come? Would it be enough time to get the compromise health care reform bill through the Senate? Or would the House be forced to swallow the current Senate bill as is?
We took a close look and talked to the state election office’s attorney. For the record, it appears the soonest practical date for the senator to be seated under Massachusetts law is 15 days after the election. Why does Massachusetts law matter? Because Senate rules require a certificate from the state of who the winner is before seating him or her.
