Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., during the Sotomayor hearings. (Credit: Karen Bleier, AFP/Getty Images)
Sen. Al Franken, D-Minn., was simply in the right spot at the right time. The most junior member of the Senate presided over the historic roll call vote of Sonia Sotomayor's confirmation Thursday because it was part of his regular rotation, which happens to be on Thursdays, said a spokesman for Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev.
"It was an honor," Franken said soon after the vote. "It was definitely an honor." Judiciary Committee Chairman Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., said that "he did a great job."
This was only the freshman's second time presiding over the chamber, according to Franken spokeswoman Jess McIntosh. While new senators get some run-throughs on the procedures, he did get plenty of help from the floor staff.
Franken lucked out on presiding over a historic vote -- both in substance but also in protocol. Apart from a few late-arrivers, all senators were seated at their desks as the roll call began, a rare occurrence that only happens for a handful of votes, including impeachment, high court nominations and other notable nominations such as that of Hillary Rodham Clinton for secretary of State.
So, what did Franken preside over his very first time? It was a debate on the highway trust fund extension, exactly one week ago.
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