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Burris blocked from taking U.S. Senate seat

BLOOMBERG NEWS

January 7, 2009

Democrat Roland Burris, calling himself "the junior senator from the state of Illinois," was denied a seat in the U.S. Senate yesterday as the new Congress convened for a ceremonial swearing-in.

"I am not seeking any type of confrontation," Burris told reporters outside the U.S. Capitol after the secretary of the Senate informed him his credentials weren't in order.

Burris, 71, was appointed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid has said the appointment is tainted because Blagojevich is accused of trying to auction off the job for cash or other favors.

The delay in filling the Illinois vacancy and another from Minnesota means Democrats are deprived of two votes in the Senate as Obama prepares to take office.

Burris, in presenting his election credentials to the secretary of the Senate, was escorted by Senate Sergeant-at-Arms Terrance Gainer. He spent about 20 minutes in the secretary's office before going across the street for a news conference.

"I presented my credentials to the secretary of the Senate and [was]advised that my credentials were not in order, and I would not be accepted, and I will not be seated, and I will not be permitted on the floor," Burris said.

Attorney Timothy Wright said Burris' options include suing to force the Senate to seat him or continuing to negotiate with Senate leaders.

Including Burris and Al Franken of Minnesota, Democrats would hold a 59-41 edge in the Senate, one shy of the number needed to shut off filibusters that can delay action on bills indefinitely. Franken won a recount over Republican Sen. Norm Coleman, who is challenging the result in court.

Meanwhile, Nancy Pelosi was re-elected speaker of the House of Representatives.

Pelosi won election by a party-line vote of 255-174, with Republicans voting for their majority leader, John Boehner of Ohio. The House's action extends her tenure as the highest-ranking woman in U.S. politics.