With 45 days until the 118th Congress is seated, U.S. Sen.-elect Katie Britt (R-Montgomery) is preparing to formally take on the role of Alabama’s junior senator.

Britt participated in the Senate GOP Caucus elections earlier this week, during which members of the chamber’s minority party elected senators to leadership positions.

SEE: ‘Spirited internal debate’: Britt, Tuberville react to Senate GOP Caucus elections

Britt, who is working from her temporary office in the Capitol Complex, said her team is “off to a fast start with our transition process.”

“My team and I are putting in long hours now so that when we formally take office on January 3, we hit the ground running and ensure we don’t miss a beat in serving the people of Alabama,” said Britt in a statement. “This is a true honor and privilege. I will go to work every day to make our great state proud and fight for our future.”

Just over a week after her election, Britt announced the appointment of two high-ranking staff members, who will also serve as the senator-elect’s designated transition staffers. Clay Armentrout and Sean Ross will serve as Britt’s chief of staff and communications director, respectively.

Britt will officially be sworn in Jan. 3 and hold the seat currently occupied by retiring U.S. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-Tuscaloosa).

Dylan Smith is the editor of Yellowhammer News. You can follow him on Twitter @DylanSmithAL