Monday, January 12, 2009
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Reid's 180
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Posted by:
Amanda Carpenter at
4:19 PM
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Democratic leadership has confirmed Roland Burris will be seated in the U.S. Senate probably by the end of the week.
Days ago, Majority Leader Harry Reid stated he would not permit Burris to be seated, citing the Illinois Secretary of State's lack of signature on election documents as reason to parry Burris's appointment. The Illinois Supreme Court, however, recently ruled Burris was entitled to the seat.
Today, Senate officials convened with Burris's legal team. Shortly after their 30-minute meeting ended it was revealed that Burris would, indeed, become a senator.
"Barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week," Leader Reid said in a joint statement with Illinois senior Sen. Dick Durbin (D.). "We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."
Upon hearing the news the Illinois Republican Party blasted out a heated statement saying that "By failing to strip Rod Blagojevich of his senate appointment power, Democrats chose to trust a madman over the people of Illinois."
Throughout the controversy over the disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich's decision to appoint Burris, the Illinois GOP maintained the best solution would be hold an open election for the seat.
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