Roland Burris (D-IL) Turned Away At Capital After Attempting To Be Sworn Into Controversial Appointed Senate Seat

January 6, 2009 11:06 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Senator-appointee Roland Burris (D-IL) made his way through a crush of reporters, and others, on Tuesday morning with his certificate of appointment to the Senate.

On his way up the steps to the Capital he refused to answer any questions and finally made his way inside the Capital in an attempt to take his appointed seat in the U.S. Senate. The Sergeant of Arms walked toward Burris, in an attempt to greet him inside the building and finally met him at the appointment desk where Burris signed in before being whisked into the office of the Secretary of the Senate.

Burris continues to make it clear that his position is that he has a legal right to be sworn in and seated.

Photos of the interior of the Capital were broadcast via broadband live on CNN news.

Burris is asking to be seated, arguing that he has been legally appointed by the governor and he has said that he knows of no law that would prevent him from taking the seat he has been appointed to.

But Senate leaders are refusing to seat him. It was an interesting start to the 111th session of the U.S. Congress. Democratic leadership is still maintaining that he won't be sworn in with the rest of the lawmakers.

If he is rejected today by the Democratic leadership it is unclear what Burris will do next.

Members of the Democratic leadership reportedly plan to meet with Burris on Wednesday to try to reach an agreement. One possible solution is to agree to swear Burris in if he agrees not to run for re-election, but Burris is reportedly not interested in that compromise.

The Secretary of State in Illinois hasn't signed his certificate of appointment, but Burris has appealed that refusal to the Illinois State Supreme Court.

There is controversy over the appointment of Burris to fill the Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. That is because Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich allegedly was interested in trying to obtain money or favors in return for appointing someone to fill the seat. Burris has not been implicated in that scheme and Blagojevich hasn't been found guilty of anything.

But despite that, it is unclear if Burris will be able to hold on to his Senate seat.

Burris reportedly plans a press conference at an unknown time.

As Burris makes his way into the Senate, he is expected to be greeted by the Sargent at Arms and also by a representative of Harry Reid