Vice President Joe Biden on Tuesday announced via Twitter that he will officially swear in Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) as president pro tempore of the Senate, the distinction given to the most senior member of the chamber's majority party that was previously held by the late Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-HI), at 11:30 a.m. EST today.

Less than two hours after Inouye's death Monday evening, the Senate passed a resolution making Leahy the new pro tempore.

VP will swear in @senatorleahy as President Pro Tempore of the Senate today at 11:30am @uscapitol

— Office of VP Biden (@VP) December 18, 2012