2 new Senate Democrats sworn in, narrows GOP's majority

WASHINGTON (AP) — The Republican majority in the Senate narrowed to 51-49 on Wednesday as two new Democratic senators were sworn into office, complicating GOP efforts to advance the party's legislative agenda before the 2018 midterm elections.

The current vice president, Mike Pence, administered the oath of office to Doug Jones from Alabama and Tina Smith from Minnesota. Two former vice presidents were there to support the Senate's newest members.

Jones, the first Alabama Democrat elected to the Senate in a quarter century, was escorted to the Senate chamber by former Vice President Joseph Biden, who had headlined Jones' campaign kickoff rally.