Secretary of the Senate rejects Burris' appointment
WASHINGTON | Burris touts 'law,' but fight expected
When the U.S. Senate convenes today in Washington, Roland Burris will be there with a simple message: "I'm here to take my seat."
(AP)
WEDNESDAY: In Springfield, the Illinois House Special Investigative Committee resumes deliberations about whether to impeach Gov. Blagojevich. In Washington, Burris is scheduled to meet with top Senate Democrats.
THURSDAY: In Springfield, the full Illinois House in session in preparation for possible impeachment vote between this day and next Tuesday. House impeachment panel meets again and could interview Burris. In federal court, a decision about whether to make public some of the secret recordings of Blagojevich is expected.
But whether Burris -- Gov. Blagojevich's pick to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate -- actually gets sworn in remained in deep doubt Monday.
Burris spent the day doing interviews touting how "every law book in the nation" says he should be allowed to fill Obama's chair. But Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the Senate's Republican leader, Mitch McConnell, met Monday night to discuss how to handle Burris, a former Illinois attorney general, when he shows up.
Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson on Monday provided a sign that the welcoming mat won't be out. Clayton Harris, Blagojevich's acting chief of staff, hand-delivered Burris' nomination certificate, but Erickson "did not formally accept it" because it did not bear Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White's signature, Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero said.
White refused to sign the certificate last week, joining the chorus of politicians who say Blagojevich is not fit to fill the vacant seat because of his arrest on corruption charges, including allegations he effectively put the seat up for sale. The governor and Burris are hoping the Illinois Supreme Court will force White to sign the document, but initial motions in that case aren't due until Wednesday.
That means the U.S. Senate, for now, has legal grounds to keep Burris from being seated. It's the first salvo in what's expected to be a run-out-the-clock strategy on Burris and Blagojevich, who could be impeached during the time the Senate weighs whether Burris' appointment is legal.
Burris is scheduled to meet with Reid and the No. 2 Senate leader, Sen. Dick Durbin, on Wednesday in Washington in defiance of a subpoena that calls for Burris to testify before the state House impeachment panel.
Burris said he plans to appear before the panel on Thursday if his schedule allows it. "I'm a United States senator. They can't stop me doing my senatorial duties," Burris said of the panel.
Contributing: AP