Senate Democrats Declare Roland Burris Senator-Designate

January 13, 2009 6:32 a.m. EST

Washington, D.C. (AHN) - Three days after the Illinois House voted to impeach Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich, Senate Democratic leaders said on Monday Roland Burris had met the requirements to be sworn into office.

In a joint statement, Senate Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-IL) said, "The Secretary of the Senate has determined that the new credentials presented today on behalf of Mr. Burris now satisfy Senate Rules and validate his appointment to the vacant Illinois Senate seat. In addition, as we requested, Mr. Burris has provided sworn testimony before the Illinois House Committee on Impeachment regarding the circumstances of his appointment."

"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," they added. "Barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week. We are working with him and the office of the Vice President to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."

President-elect Barack Obama also issued a statement through his transition spokesman, Dan Pfeiffer. "As the President-elect has said repeatedly, he knows Roland Burris and has high regard for him. He looks forward to working with Senator Burris and the rest of the United States Senate to rebuild our economy and meet the great challenges of our time," he said.

Burris, 71, was appointed to Obama's seat by Blagojevich on Dec. 30. Democrats had said is nomination was "tainted" by the charges that the governor, who is required under state law to make the appointment, tried to sell Obama's Senate seat.

Burris, 71, was appointed to Obama's seat by Blagojevich on Dec. 30. Democrats had said is nomination was "tainted" by the charges that the governor, who is required under state law to make the appointment, tried to sell President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat. A former Illinois attorney general, Burris attempted to be seated last Tuesday when the 111th Congress was sworn in, walking into the Capitol despite statements from Democrats that he would be rejected, and submitting a certification of his appointment even without the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, who had refused to support Blagojevich's choice.

Blagojevich was arrested on Dec. 9 at his North Side home after years of being investigated on allegations of corruption. He has yet to be indicted, but the criminal complaint against him says he attempted to raise $100,000 in campaign contributions in return for his signing into law of a bill directing a portion of casino revenues the horse racing industry. He had also allegedly been offered $1.5 million in campaign money by associates of an individual identified in the federal complaint as "Senate Candidate 5."

Rep. Jesse Jackson Jr. (D-IL), who previously expressed his interest in Obama's Senate seat, has confirmed that he is "Senate Candidate 5."

Burris testified last Thursday before the 21-member special impeachment panel created by the Illinois House, saying there was no quid pro quo involved in his nomination.