Massachusetts lawmakers to debate Kennedy succession bill

The House has scheduled a formal session for 11 a.m., with debate on the bill expected to begin around noon. A formal session was also scheduled for 1:30 p.m. in the Senate.

Democrats, who hold overwhelming majorities in both chambers, are hoping to push through the bill quickly allowing Patrick, who supports the change, to name an appointee as early as next week.

Seth Gitell, an aide to House Speaker Robert DeLeo, said his boss "is confident that members of the House will agree that Massachusetts needs two voices in the U.S. Senate."

Senate President Therese Murray, also a Democrat, has been more tight-lipped about the bill's chances in the Senate.

Massachusetts Republicans are vowing to fight the bill. They note that Democrats changed the succession law in 2004 to create a special election and block then-Gov. Mitt Romney, a Republican, from naming a temporary replacement if Sen. John Kerry won his presidential bid.