Burris Credential Rejected by Senate Parliamentarian

According to the Secretary of the Senate's Office, the credential presented by Harris was not valid because it did not have the signatures of both the appointing governor and the secretary of state.

Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to appoint former state attorney general Roland Burris to the U.S. Senate has sparked controversial reaction throughout the political world.

(Getty Images/AP Photos)

Instead of the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who has said he would not sign on to an appointment made by Blagojevich, Harris said he included with the credential a copy of a fax from White's office stating it had registered Blagojevich's intention to appoint Burris.

"I'm not angry at the secretary of state. He's a great public servant," Burris said, when he was asked about White's decision not to sign the credential. "There's no anger. I'm not angry on anybody. As a matter of fact, I'm happy. I'm enjoying this on behalf of the people of Illinois."

But Burris is not a senator-designate in the eyes of the U.S. Senate and so has no right to walk on the Senate floor to be sworn in Tuesday.

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It is a point that Harris said he believes Burris will push when new senators are expected to be sworn in at noon.

"We'll go there and see what transpires," Burris said. "We will present ourselves to be seated. And then we'll take it from there." Asked what would happen if he is turned away from the Senate, Burris said, "Well, my lawyers will take it from there and we'll see what happens."

Senators can allow Burris onto the floor by unanimous consent. It is unclear whether they will. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said it would be very difficult to seat Burris as a Blagojevich appointee, but speaking on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday he did not reject the notion outright.

Reid said he would meet with Burris Wednesday to discuss the matter, but he has called repeatedly on Blagojevich to resign his post and allow a replacement to make the Senate appointment.

Burris said he would work hard to make his case to the Democratic leadership.

"I'm going to sell myself the same way I've sold myself to the people of Illinois. I've represented them for 20 years, in this great state," he said. "And I am a solution to the problem."