Sen. Doug Jones (center) is given the oath of office by Vice President Mike Pence (right) during a mock swear-in on Jan. 3. | John Shinkle/POLITICO Jones sworn in, and Senate Democrats rejoice

Democrat Doug Jones was formally sworn in as the newest senator from Alabama on Wednesday, narrowing the Senate GOP’s already-slender majority and complicating the outlook for the Republican agenda ahead of the mid-term elections.

Jones, who defeated Republican Roy Moore in a contentious race this fall, became the newest member of the Senate alongside Tina Smith, who is replacing former Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota after he resigned following sexual misconduct allegations from multiple women.


Republicans now control a 51-49 majority, making it easier for Democrats to block President Donald Trump’s nominees and filibuster his legislative proposals. The one-seat pick-up also boosts the once-slim prospects of Democrats regaining the Senate majority in a year when they’re battling to retain seats in mostly conservative terrain.

“The voices of Jones and Smith will add to the diversity of energy of our caucus,” said an ebullient Senate Minority Leader Chuck Schumer (D-N.Y.). “I predict that both will become influential voices in this historic chamber.”

Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) also offered warm words to the newest senators, telling Jones in particular that he “will have big shoes to fill,” including those of Attorney General Jeff Sessions, whose departure from the Senate set off the special election.

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Some logistical issues will also have to be worked out with a narrower Republican margin in the Senate. For instance, McConnell and Schumer are still discussing whether the number of seats allotted to each party on committees will be adjusted to reflect the smaller GOP majority, aides said.

Who assumes Franken and ex-Sen. Luther Strange’s (R-Ala.) committee assignments won’t be settled until those ratios are decided. Franken in particular is vacating a coveted seat on the Senate Judiciary Committee, which oversees Supreme Court confirmations and gave Franken a major platform in interrogating controversial Trump nominees.

Three current or former vice presidents were on hand for Wednesday’s ceremonial event: Mike Pence, who swore in the new senators; Joe Biden, who accompanied Jones — a close friend — as he was formally installed as senator; and Walter Mondale, a former Minnesota senator who was alongside Smith.

Mondale joked with reporters about his meeting with Biden and Pence, quipping “They behaved.” And Biden in particular was clearly pleased to return to his old Senate stomping grounds, saying “Good to be back” while grinning to reporters during a photo op in the Old Senate Chamber.

More than 20 happy Senate Democrats were on hand to watch Jones and Smith get sworn in, although it was clear Jones was the star of the day. Only a handful of Republicans joined Pence and McConnell to watch the proceedings.

Jones waved to his wife in the gallery and touched his hand to heart after he officially joined what's known as the World’s Greatest Deliberative Body. He was soon given a “member pin” that every senator receives.

Biden could be overheard loudly introducing Jones to Iowa Republican Chuck Grassley: “He’s a good guy.” Then Schumer joked to Biden while pointing to McConnell. “They need your help,” Schumer said. “They need you to negotiate.”

Schumer — who is scheduled to meet later Wednesday with McConnell, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) and House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) in a bid to work out a budget agreement — then lambasted Trump on the floor, especially his Tuesday night Twitter broadside against North Korean leader Kim Jong Un.

"President Trump’s foreign policy by tweet is doing serious damage to the country," Schumer said on the floor. He accused Republicans who didn’t criticize Trump’s tweets of “complicity in the degradation of the presidency.”