After winning Mass. Senate race, GOP’s Brown says he doesn’t expect delays in assuming office

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Brown: I don’t expect delays in assuming office

BOSTON — Republican Scott Brown says he doesn’t expect any problems being seated in the U.S. Senate, as calls of good wishes pour in.

A day after he upset Democrat Martha Coakley, Brown said Wednesday that he has spoken with Massachusetts Gov. Deval (deh-VAHL’) Patrick and Sen. John Kerry. He says he doesn’t expect delays in assuming the seat held for nearly a half-century by the late Sen. Edward Kennedy.

He could not say precisely when the change would occur.

The timing is important because Brown will give Senate Republicans the 41st vote they need to sustain a filibuster. And that could block President Barack Obama from pushing his health care bill through the chamber.

Brown spoke after saying goodbye to his daughter Arianna at a Boston hotel as she headed back to Syracuse University.