Tammy Baldwin sworn in as U.S. senator

Wisconsin's Tammy Baldwin is among a dozen new U.S. senators who took the oath of office Thursday morning.

Vice President Joe Biden swore in the 12 new senators, as well as those who won another term.

Democrats tightened their grip on the Senate with 55-45 edge following the November elections.

Baldwin is Wisconsin's first female senator and also the first openly gay candidate ever elected to the chamber. She defeated former Gov. Tommy Thompson, who had never before lost a statewide race.

WISN 12 News reporter Kent Wainscott was in Washington for the swearing-in ceremony and talked with Baldwin one-on-one Thursday afternoon.

"Until today, only 39 women, 39, have ever served in the U.S. Senate. I found that amazing," Baldwin said. "I hope for young girls across Wisconsin and across the country, my election and swearing in today can open up some aspirations for them, too."

"Perhaps the loudest ovation you got at your reception today was when you referenced the fact that you become the first openly gay member of the United States Senate in history. What's the significance of that?" Wainscott asked.

"I'd say in some ways it's similar to crashing through the glass ceiling and becoming the first woman, but to be the first only. One of the ways I have of putting it is, if you're not in the room, the conversation is about you. Even if you have extraordinary number of allies in the room, they're talking about you. If you're in the room the conversation is with you, and that's transformative," Baldwin said.

Wisconsin U.S. Sen. Ron Johnson was named to Senate committees dealing with the budget, foreign relations and small business.

Johnson came to Congress in 2010 after running on his credentials as a small-business man. The Republican and fiscal conservative ran a plastics-packaging company in Oshkosh.

He'll share two committee assignments with Baldwin. Both will be on the Senate Budget Committee and the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs.

Johnson will also be on three other committees: Foreign Relations; Small Business and Entrepreneurship; and Commerce, Science and Transportation.

Johnson said he came to Washington out of concern for the government's excessive size and scope. He said he's pleased that his committee assignments will help him focus on reining in Washington's overreach.

Johnson joined Baldwin as she was sworn in.

"It was my honor to join Sen. Baldwin as she was sworn in today to the United States Senate. I look forward to working with her on the issues and challenges so important to the people of Wisconsin and the nation.”