Burris, Rejected by Senate, 'Weighs Options'

Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris makes a statement after departing Capitol Hill in...

Illinois U.S. Senate appointee Roland Burris makes a statement after departing Capitol Hill in Washington, Tuesday, Jan. 6, 2009. Burris was turned away from the Senate after being told he does not have permission to be seated as the junior senator from Illinois.

(Susan Walsh/AP Photo)

Burris' Senate Appointment Blocked

Speaking on the Senate floor this afternoon, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said, "The Senate will proceed in a manner that is respectful to Mr. Burris while ensuring there is no cloud of doubt over appointment to fill the seat."

Burris is set to meet Wednesday with Reid and Dick Durbin, the Democratic whip and Illinois senior senator.

As promised, Burris arrived at the Capitol building earlier this morning and was escorted to Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson's office, where he stayed for about 15 minutes; he was told the Senate would not accept his certification.

"I presented my credentials to the secretary of the Senate, and I was advised my credentials were not in order and will not be accepted," Burris said.

Adding to the confusion outside the Senate secretary's office was a reception Durbin was hosting for his own swearing in. A spokesman said Burris and all Illinoisans were invited, but Burris did not attend.

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It is unclear what will happen next, since Senate Democrats said they would not recognize the appointment by a governor who had been accused of, among other things, trying to benefit from his power to fill the vacant seat.

Burris hoped he would be among the new senators sworn in today at noon on Capitol Hill, but several lawmakers said he did not have permission to join the new class.

Arriving in Washington Monday, Burris was adamant about his right to be there, but the still-sitting Illinois senator is one person who believes otherwise.

Durbin invited Burris to his Capitol Hill office to watch the new senators sworn in on television, and said Burris was not eligible because his appointment had not been signed by the Illinois secretary of state. He also said that even if the secretary of state was compelled to sign the appointment, its legality would be challenged in the Senate Rules Committee.

"Well, of course Roland Burris has not been certified by the state of Illinois," Reid said Monday. "When that takes place, we'll of course review it. At this stage we're waiting to see what's going to happen in Illinois."