ACLJ Calls Delay in Seating Brown “Outrageous” as Top Dems Plot to Push Healthcare Reform

“This is an unacceptable delay tactic on the part of the Senate leadership.” - Jay Sekulow, ACLJ Chief Counsel

WASHINGTON, Jan. 25, 2010—One week after his election victory, Sen.-elect Scott Brown of Massachusetts has not yet been seated - a delay tactic the American Center for Law and Justice (ACLJ) calls outrageous and unacceptable delay on the part of Senate leadership.  The ACLJ is considering legal action if Democrats continue to delay the seating of newly elected Massachusetts

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said he will not swear-in Scott Brown until the certification process is completed, which could take another week.  But the election outcome is clear, according to ACLJ Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, who also points out that there is a precedent for seating a Senator from Massachusetts before certification is completed.  That's exactly what happened in the 1960's when Sen. Edward Kennedy took the oath of office within hours after being elected to the very same seat that Sen.-elect Brown has won. 

"This is an unacceptable delay tactic on the part of the Senate leadership - a tactic that disenfranchises the voters of Massachusetts who elected Scott Brown nearly one week ago," said Sekulow.  "There's absolutely no reason to wait to seat Senator-elect Brown and with each passing day he is prevented from participating in the legislative process.  This delay tactic, along with reports that top Democrats continue to plot passage of healthcare reform, show that it's business as usual in Washington - ignoring the will of Massachusetts voters and moving forward with a disturbing health care plan that America simply does not want."

"It's outrageous that Senator-elect Brown is not yet seated," said Sekulow.  "What's troubling is the fact that the Democrats just don't get it.  There was a resounding repudiation of the Democrat agenda, including health care, with last week's Senate election.  But that hasn't stopped the President and the Democrat leaders in the House and Senate from plowing forward and redoubling their efforts to get some version of their problematic health care reform approved.  A clear majority of Americans say they oppose the plan, but as usual, Washington isn't listening."

Led by Chief Counsel Jay Sekulow, the American Center for Law and Justice focuses on constitutional law and is based in Washington, D.C.  The ACLJ is online at www.aclj.org.

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