Carte Goodwin (D) will be sworn in this afternoon as the new senator from West Virginia, temporarily filling the seat formerly held by the late Sen. Robert C. Byrd (D-WV), CNN reports.
"The Democrat is expected to cast a key vote when the U.S. Senate considers extending unemployment benefits later in the day. A Republican filibuster has prevented Democrats from ending debate on the measure, but with Goodwin's vote and support from two Republicans, Democrats believe they can overcome the GOP maneuver."
A last minute deal was reached last night to hold a special election later this year to serve the final two years of Byrd's term.