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Senate snub as US Congress opens | Senate snub as US Congress opens |
(6 days later) | |
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 the chamber's floor. | 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 the chamber's floor. |
Senate Democrats had vowed to prevent Roland Burris taking the Illinois seat because he was picked by scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. | Senate Democrats had vowed to prevent Roland Burris taking the Illinois seat because he was picked by scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. |
Mr Burris said officials turned him away when he arrived to be sworn in. | Mr Burris said officials turned him away when he arrived to be sworn in. |
The Democrats are in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House. | The Democrats are in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House. |
But correspondents say Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US. | But correspondents say Democratic celebrations are likely to be muted amid the scale of the economic challenges facing the US. |
Mr Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn). | Mr Obama, who takes office on 20 January, is pressing Congress to pass a stimulus package said to be worth $800bn (£550bn). |
Snubbed | Snubbed |
Unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats cast a shadow over the first day of the new Congress. | Unresolved wrangling over two Senate seats cast a shadow over the first day of the new Congress. |
In his speech opening the session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stated that Mr Burris was "not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois". | In his speech opening the session, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid stated that Mr Burris was "not in possession of the necessary credentials from the state of Illinois". |
Illinois's secretary of state has so far refused to co-sign the letter of appointment from Mr Blagojevich, as required by Senate rules. | Illinois's secretary of state has so far refused to co-sign the letter of appointment from Mr Blagojevich, as required by Senate rules. |
Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol earlier on Tuesday, Mr Burris said: "I presented my credentials to the secretary of the Senate, and was advised that my credentials were not in order." | Speaking to reporters outside the Capitol earlier on Tuesday, 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 but was looking at options for taking the seat. He would now consult his lawyers, he said. | Mr Burris, a former attorney-general for Illinois, said he was not seeking a confrontation but was looking at options for taking the seat. He would now consult his lawyers, he said. |
The new Congress and the next president face a raft of pressing issuesTimothy Wright, a lawyer acting for Mr Burris, said his client had been prevented from proceeding to the floor of the Senate to take the oath of office, a move they believed was illegal. | The new Congress and the next president face a raft of pressing issuesTimothy Wright, a lawyer acting for Mr Burris, said his client had been prevented from proceeding to the floor of the Senate to take the oath of office, a move they believed was illegal. |
On Tuesday morning, Mr Burris told CBS TV that there was no substance to arguments that his appointment was invalid or inappropriate. | On Tuesday morning, Mr Burris 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 vacant Senate seat. He denies any wrongdoing. | Mr Blagojevich is facing calls for his impeachment over allegations he tried to "sell" Mr Obama's vacant Senate seat. He denies any wrongdoing. |
The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the row over Mr Burris's appointment is a messy situation which will probably not be resolved for months. | The BBC's Justin Webb in Washington says the row over Mr Burris's appointment is a messy situation which will probably not be resolved for months. |
Some people would like there to be a special election for the vacant Senate seat, our correspondent says, but it would be expensive and some Democrats fear the Republicans could win it. | Some people would like there to be a special election for the vacant Senate seat, our correspondent says, but it would be expensive and some Democrats fear the Republicans could win it. |
The other seat at issue involves Minnesota, which has still not completely resolved the Senate election it held on 4 November. | The other seat at issue involves 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. The Republicans have 41 seats. | 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. |
Once the final two seats are filled, 60 votes will be needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster. | |
In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 256 members to the Republicans' 178, with one seat vacant, expanding the Democrats' control. | In the House of Representatives, the Democrats have 256 members to the Republicans' 178, with one seat vacant, expanding the Democrats' control. |
'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. |