(Washington, D.C.) - Montana's senior U.S. Senator Max Baucus made history today as he was sworn in to a sixth term in the U.S. Senate, kicking off his 31st year in the chamber.

"I'm deeply honored. I'm excited. And I'm ready to keep producing results for Montana," Baucus said today after taking the oath of office on the Senate floor. "I have the greatest job in the world, representing the best people in the world."

Baucus was joined by Montana Senator Jon Tester at the swearing in ceremony. He said "these are challenging times that will require America's leaders to work closely together. We need to forget about the politics and do what's right for our country. I'm ready to stand shoulder to shoulder with Jon Tester and get to work for Montana."

The longest-serving U.S. Senator from Montana, Baucus said in 2009 he will focus on the following areas, among others:
· Boosting Montana and the nation's economy to pull America out of the economic downturn.
· Overhauling the nation's health care system to ensure all Americans have quality health care.
· Developing new sources of energy to reduce America's dependence on foreign oil and lower prices at the pump.
· Rewriting the nation's highway funding program to create jobs in Montana and bolster the nation's roads, bridges, and infrastructure.

A Helena native, Baucus, 67, was first elected to the U.S. Senate in 1977, after serving two terms in the U.S. House of Representatives.

With the new Congress in session, Baucus is now the eighth-most senior U.S. Senator. He will jump to number 7 on the seniority rank when Sen. Joseph Biden resigns to take over as Vice President.

Baucus is also expected to keep his important committee assignments: Senate Finance Committee, chairman; Senate Agriculture Committee, senior member; Senate Environment and Public Works Committee; senior member.

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