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January 7, 2009

Senate Democrats Block Roland Burris from Taking Seat
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On Capitol Hill, Senate Democrats blocked fellow Democrat Roland Burris
from claiming his Senate seat six days after he was appointed by
Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich to fill the seat vacated by
President-elect Barack Obama. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the
appointment of Burris is tainted because Blagojevich is accused of
trying to auction off the job for cash or other favors. The governor was
arrested on December 9 on federal corruption charges, but he remains in
office. Burris is the former Illinois Attorney General. If he is allowed
to serve, he would be the only African American in the Senate. After
Burris was denied his Senate seat, he spoke to reporters outside.

Roland Burris: “Members of the media, my name is Roland Burris, the
junior senator from the state of Illinois. I presented my credentials to
secretary of the Senate and advised that my credentials were not in
order and I would not be accepted, and I will not be seated, and I will
not be permitted on the floor, and therefore I am not seeking to have
any type of confrontation. I will now consult with my attorneys, and we
will determine what our next step will be. Thank you all very much, and
God bless each and every one of you.”

Democratic officials are discussing allowing Roland Burris to take over
Obama’s old seat as long as he agrees not to run for election in 2010.