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US Congress opens amid wrangling Senate snub as US Congress opens
(29 minutes later)
The new US Congress is preparing to convene, with Democrats in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House. The new US Congress has opened, amid a row as the choice to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat was blocked from doing so.
But Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US. Senate Democrats had vowed to prevent Roland Burris taking the Illinois seat because he was picked by scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.
President-elect Barack Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn). Mr Burris said officials turned him away when he arrived to be sworn in.
The session also begins with unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats. The Democrats are in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House.
Roland Burris has been appointed by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich to replace Mr Obama in the Senate. But the governor has been engulfed in scandal and is facing calls for his impeachment. But correspondents say Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US.
Senate Democrats have said they will block Mr Burris from taking up his seat. Mr Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn).
But Mr Burris told CBS TV on Tuesday morning that there was no substance arguments that his appointment was invalid or inappropriate.Mr Burris says he is determined to take up his seat Snubbed
"I'm certainly presenting myself as the legally-appointed senator from the state of Illinois. It is my hope and prayer that they recognise that the appointment is legal," Mr Burris said. Unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats is likely to cast a shadow over the opening day of the new Congress.
Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol, Mr Burris said: "I presented my credentials to the secretary of the Senate, and was advised that my credentials were not in order."
Mr Burris, a former attorney-general for Illinois, said he was not seeking a confrontation and would now consult his lawyers.
Mr Burris had earlier said he was determined to take up his seatEarlier, he had told CBS TV that there was no substance to arguments that his appointment was invalid or inappropriate.
Mr Blagojevich is facing calls for his impeachment over allegations he tried to "sell" Mr Obama's vacanat Senate seat. He denies any wrongdoing.
The other seat at issue is for Minnesota, which has still not completely resolved the Senate election it held on 4 November.The other seat at issue is for Minnesota, which has still not completely resolved the Senate election it held on 4 November.
On Monday officials certified that after a recount Democrat Al Franken had won by 225 votes, but his Republican opponent Norm Coleman has seven days to challenge the result in the courts.On Monday officials certified that after a recount Democrat Al Franken had won by 225 votes, but his Republican opponent Norm Coleman has seven days to challenge the result in the courts.
No-one will be declared a winner until Mr Coleman's legal fight is complete.No-one will be declared a winner until Mr Coleman's legal fight is complete.
After November's congressional elections, the Democrats have 56 seats in the Senate, not counting Minnesota, plus two independents who vote with them.After November's congressional elections, the Democrats have 56 seats in the Senate, not counting Minnesota, plus two independents who vote with them.
The Republicans have 41 seats.The Republicans have 41 seats.
Sixty votes are needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster.Sixty votes are needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster.
In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 255 members, expanding their control by 28 seats, while the Republicans have 175.In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 255 members, expanding their control by 28 seats, while the Republicans have 175.
'Bold action''Bold action'
Tuesday's session, the opening of the two-year session of the 111th Congress, will see new members sworn in. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Representative for California, will be elected for a second term as speaker of the House.Tuesday's session, the opening of the two-year session of the 111th Congress, will see new members sworn in. Nancy Pelosi, Democratic Representative for California, will be elected for a second term as speaker of the House.
Congress often goes into recess until a new president takes office or after the State of the Union policy address at the end of January.Congress often goes into recess until a new president takes office or after the State of the Union policy address at the end of January.
But, with economic problems mounting, the Democrats have said they will move quickly to try to pass a fiscal rescue package.But, with economic problems mounting, the Democrats have said they will move quickly to try to pass a fiscal rescue package.
They had hoped to have it ready for Mr Obama to sign into law when he takes office but now admit it will not be ready until mid-February.They had hoped to have it ready for Mr Obama to sign into law when he takes office but now admit it will not be ready until mid-February.
Mr Obama met congressional leaders on Monday, calling for quick and bold action.Mr Obama met congressional leaders on Monday, calling for quick and bold action.
"The economy is very sick," he said. "We have to act and act now to break the momentum of this recession.""The economy is very sick," he said. "We have to act and act now to break the momentum of this recession."
US media reports say the president-elect is planning a package of some $800bn, including $300bn in tax cuts.US media reports say the president-elect is planning a package of some $800bn, including $300bn in tax cuts.