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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).
SnubbedSnubbed
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.
Sixty votes are needed to override procedural moves to block legislation, known as a filibuster. 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.