It is an honor to be sworn in today to represent Tennessee in the United States Senate by Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh alongside @SenAlexander and @SenBobCorker. pic.twitter.com/ei71osonI1
— Marsha Blackburn (@MarshaBlackburn) January 3, 2019
Tennessee's Marsha Blackburn was sworn in Thursday as Tennessee's newest U.S. senator, and was one of the first two female Republicans named to the Senate Judiciary Committee.
Blackburn tweeted a photo of her swearing-in, flanked by her husband and current Sens. Lamar Alexander and Bob Corker, whose seat she was elected to fill.
Corker tweeted afterward: "Serving the people of the Volunteer State in the Senate has been the greatest privilege of my life. I thank Tennesseans for the opportunity and am happy to congratulate Senator @MarshaBlackburn on being sworn in today. I will be cheering her on each step of the way."
Sen. Lamar Alexander, R-Tenn., said in a tweet, "Marsha and I were elected to the United States Congress at the same time in 2002, and we have worked well together since then. I look forward to an even closer relationship with her as she joins the Senate."
Politico first reported that Blackburn and Sen. Joni Ernst of Iowa were the first two women Republicans named to the powerful Judiciary Committee.
Blackburn confirmed the appointment in a tweet and released this statement after being sworn in:
"Representing Tennessee in the United States Senate is a true honor and today's activities have been humbling. It has been an honor to share the swearing in activities with hundreds of Tennesseans who have traveled to the nation's capitol to be a part of the festivities.
"Tennesseans know they can continue to count on me, just as they did during my House service, to bring their values to Washington, D.C. to address the issues that impact their lives. During my time in Congress, I voted for the largest tax cuts in over thirty years, reduced regulatory overreach and worked to create an environment for jobs growth to take place. I worked to hold Planned Parenthood accountable for its sale of baby body parts, an investigation which resulted in fifteen criminal referrals. I have a proven record of protecting our members of the armed forces and supporting our veterans.
"In the Senate, I will continue to work with my colleagues to secure our borders and build the wall so we can keep our country safe from drug, human, and labor traffickers, as well as from the gang members that are crossing into our country illegally. I look forward to confirming strict constitutionalist judges to the Supreme Court and approving the President's qualified nominees to our federal courts. I will also work to close the digital divide by bringing broadband access to rural communities and to address the opioid epidemic that is plaguing communities across our country.
"It is a distinct opportunity to serve as Tennessee's first female Senator. In this role, I will continue to be an advocate for faith, family, freedom, hope, and opportunity for Tennesseans and for all Americans across the country."