Senate leaders move toward seating Burris

The U.S. Senate may let Roland Burris take the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama after a state court rules on the matter and Burris answers questions about the impeachment of Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, Democratic leaders said.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, after a 45-minute meeting with Burris today at the Capitol, praised him as candid and forthright. Other Democrats predicted that Burris would be seated soon.

We dont have a problem with him as an individual, Reid, a Nevada Democrat, told reporters. Theres going to come a time when the entire Senate is going to have to act on this. And that day, I hope, would come sooner rather than later.

Earlier today, Obama told a news conference that Burris is a fine public servant, though the appointment is a Senate matter.

The appointment of Burris is in dispute because Blagojevich is charged with trying to auction off the seat for cash or other favors. Burris wasnt allowed to participate in yesterdays swearing-in of new senators and has gone to court in Illinois in an effort to compel the secretary of state to certify his appointment.

Burriss attorneys asked the Illinois Supreme Court to act quickly to resolve the impasse, calling yesterdays rejection of the appointee extraordinarily arbitrary and unlawful.

Proper Signatures

Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White has refused to sign Blagojevichs appointment of Burris, and today Senator Richard Durbin of Illinois said no senator could be seated without the proper signatures.

This has been a rule in the United States Senate since 1884, said Durbin, its second-ranking Democrat. We have never, ever waived this rule for any election or appointment.

Burris later told a news conference he had a great meeting with Reid and Durbin. He said has no knowledge of any pay to play linked to the Senate vacancy, joking that none of that would involve him because I have no money.

Burris also said there was no mention at his meeting with Reid and Durbin about his refraining from running for the Senate seat in 2010 should he be allowed to take the seat now. They werent talking conditions, Burris said.

Reid noted that Burris is due to testify tomorrow before the Illinois House committee that is seeking to impeach Blagojevich. Burris has submitted an affidavit to the panel.

Once thats done, well be in a different position to see what we are going to do, Reid said. We have to be totally open and aboveboard on this.

Democratic Senators Ben Cardin of Maryland and Patrick Leahy of Vermont said Burris would be allowed to take his seat once the proper paperwork is completed.

Once the certificates come in, he has to be accepted, Leahy said.

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