Democratic leadership: Senate to seat Burris

[BlueJessamine]

Source: CNN News

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Illinois senior senator and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin said Monday that the Senate would accept the credentials of former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris.

The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate Rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat. In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment," the two said in a statement.

"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the statement said. "Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."

Some Senate Democrats, however, maintained Burris should not be seated because he was appointed to the Senate seat by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who faces corruption charges and who is accused of scheming to sell the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama.




Read more: http://www.cnn.com/2009/POLITICS/01/12/burris.senate/index.html?eref=rss_topstories

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form MSNBC:

Republicans not expected to object to Burris

The only thing that could stop Burris from being seated quickly as a U.S. Senator is an "objection" from the Senate floor, specifically from Republicans. As Majority Leader Reid put in a written statement moments ago, "barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week."

It is highly unlikely Senate Republicans will stand in the way. In a interview with NPR Friday morning, Republican Leader Mitch McConnell said, "Candidly, if Mr. Burris presents the correct paperwork, he's going to be a senator."

When NBC News called a senior GOP Senate leadership aide to make sure his party wouldn't object, the aide asked rhetorically, "Why would we take the problem off of shoulders and put it on ours."

link:

http://firstread.msnbc.msn.com/archive/2009/01/12/1742149.aspx

[bobd0]

1. It's about time. nt

[Wizard777]

2. Ditto!

[EFerrari]

3. Good. They've made their point, now let's get on with things. n/t

[damntexdem]

7. Well, they DID have to make the point.

But now it's made, so seat him -- his votes are needed.

[EFerrari]

9. And we don't know if he can win an election. Probably not.

But, there's plenty of time to deal with that.

[Robbien]

4. McConnell. How condesending "if Burris presents the correct paperwork"

I bet McConnell will personally make him do it too.

[monmouth]

5. HA! No objection to Burris, but wait until it's time to seat Franken. I

would bet all hell will break loose on the right. Just guessing here of course.

[bobd0]

8. Franken should be seated immediately too.

The right to representation in the senate of the people of Minnesota trumps Norm Coleman's losing battle to appeal the verified re-count.

[JDPriestly]

15. The Republicans can't object to Franken based on lack of a certificate

signed by the Sec. State. Franken has that. Also, according to the U.S. Constitution, the Senate is the final judge of the elections of senators. So, the Democratic majority should have no problem seating Franken. The Senate Democrats can review the election results and judge them.

[TheCowsCameHome]

6. Good. Let's get on with the business of fixing this country.

[IsItJustMe]

10. All that wasted energy. The whole thing reminded me of a Three Stooges episode.

[depakid]

11. At this stage, why not simply wait fo the impeachment

rather than seat this guy- who most Illinois residents DON'T WANT.

and don't deserve.

[Abq_Sarah]

12. Who knows if he will be removed?

For right now, it's vital that we have his vote in the Senate. Lot's of legislation coming down the pike and every vote is going to be needed.

[MasonJar]

14. Can you imagine the disaster if there were two appointed Senators from Ill.?

[MasonJar]

13. Now on to saving the environment and the people of the planet please.

[struggle4progress]

16. Roland Burris, on being seated as Illinois senator. Transcript

By Lynn Sweet
on January 12, 2009 5:50 PM | Permalink | Comments (0)
Transcript Courtesy Federal News Service
STATEMENT BY ROLAND BURRIS (D), TO BE SEATED AS JUNIOR SENATOR OF ILLINOIS

CHICAGO, ILLINOIS
5:36 P.M. EST, MONDAY, JANUARY 12, 2008

MR. BURRIS: I'm truly humbled and honored to learn that later this week I will officially be sworn into the United States Senate as the Illinois junior senator ...

I would like to publicly thank Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and my long-time friend and Illinois' senior senator, Dick Durbin. Never once did I doubt their intentions were motivated by anything other than doing what was right for the people of Illinois and by what they believed had to be done to protect the Senate as an institution. It will be my honor to both serve with them and to learn from them.

Secretary of State Jesse White, whom I've known for more than 30 years, is also owed a debt of gratitude. He also happen to be someone whose autograph I cherish.

Some have criticized Jesse, and I think somewhat unfairly. He stood for what he believed was right, and in our state's best interest. His actions only reinforced what I have always known him to be, an honorable man ...

http://blogs.suntimes.com/sweet/2009/01/roland_burris_on_being_seated.html

[struggle4progress]

17. Burris Likely To Be Sworn Into Senate Thursday (CBS)

Illinois Senate appointee Roland Burris will likely be sworn into the U.S. Senate sometime Thursday afternoon, reports CBS News' John Nolen.

Organizers are now trying to coordinate the schedules of all involved – Burris, his family, Vice President Cheney (who will do the swearing in), and others.

A formal announcement could come later today ...

http://www.cbsnews.com/blogs/2009/01/13/politics/politicalhotsheet/entry4718858.shtml

[question everything]

18. Should have done this in the first place

They tried to show who is the boss and ended up with an egg on their face.

So, Senator Reid: stay out of the business of states when it comes to selecting their senators. This included NY and MN and, whichever comes next.