Georgia's new Republican senator sworn in

Wealthy Republican businesswoman Kelly Loeffler was sworn in on Monday as the newest senator from Georgia, a political newcomer who takes office amid a presidential impeachment, swirling tensions with Iran and at the dawn of what looms as a bruising national election.

Georgia GOP Gov. Brian Kemp appointed Loeffler to the vacant seat despite a preference by President Donald Trump and his conservative allies for Rep. Doug Collins, a Trump loyalist and top Republican on the House Judiciary Committee.

Kemp's choice of Loeffler was seen as a bid to court suburban and female voters, many of whom have reacted to Trump's harsh rhetoric and hard-right policies by moving away from the GOP.

Loeffler was sworn in by Vice President Mike Pence, the Senate's chief officer, reciting the oath on the floor of the chamber. Of the roughly 20 senators present, just one was a Democrat - Alabama Sen. Doug Jones, who faces his own difficult re-election this fall.

Loeffler replaces three-term GOP Sen. Johnny Isakson, 75, who stepped down in December because of health issues.

Trump backers criticized Loeffler, 49, as too moderate and inexperienced when her appointment was announced in December. She has spent the past several weeks travelling Georgia and trying to win over conservatives with a “pro-Second Amendment, pro-Trump, pro-military and pro-wall” message.

In a brief interview after taking office, Loeffler said she's not spoken to Trump since being appointed.

She's already said she plans to vote against removing Trump from office. “I don’t think there was the due process followed in the House proceeding," she said, providing no detail, but echoing complaints by other Republicans.

The Democratic-controlled House impeached Trump last month after he blocked White House officials from testifying or providing documents about allegations that he pressured Ukraine's leader to provide dirt on Trump's potential Democratic rival, Joe Biden.

Loeffler has won praise from Senate Majority Leader Mitch McConnell, R-Ky., who called her “a terrific appointment” and said the Senate GOP campaign committee will support her.

She becomes the ninth Republican woman currently serving in the Senate, compared to 17 Democratic women.