Comic and political pundit Al Franken has been sworn in as a U.S. senator from Minnesota, bringing to end the eight-month legal battle for the seat.
Franken took the oath of office in the Senate Tuesday. He was greeted with handshakes and hugs as entered the chamber. The ceremony was followed by a thunderous ovation.
A Minnesota Supreme Court judge last week ruled in Franken's favor in the battle with Republican challenger Norm Coleman.
The victory gives Democrats a 60-seat majority in the chamber, giving the party, with the help of two independents who usually side with Democrats, enough votes to override Republican attempts to block or delay votes.
Franken was initially determined the winner of the November race, defeating then-incumbent Coleman, after two recounts showed him with a 312-vote advantage. But Coleman appealed to the state Supreme Court, arguing for the inclusion of more absentee ballots in the vote count.
