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Senate Democrats endorse Burris | |
(about 2 hours later) | |
Democratic senators have endorsed Roland Burris, the man selected to fill Barack Obama's vacant seat. | |
Senate leaders initially tried to block Mr Burris's membership, because he was appointed by scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. | |
Mr Burris said he was "humbled and honoured" to be Illinois' next junior senator, after senate leaders relented. | |
Mr Blagojevich was arrested last month and charged with attempting to "sell" the vacant seat to the highest bidder. | |
He has defied calls to resign, and also calls to delay naming a new senator. | |
Under Illinois law, the state's governor has sole responsibility to fill vacancies in the senate. | Under Illinois law, the state's governor has sole responsibility to fill vacancies in the senate. |
Barred entry | Barred entry |
We have spoken to Mr Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois Harry Reid and and Dick DurbinDemocratic senators class="" href="/1/hi/world/americas/7806596.stm">Q&A: The Blagojevich scandal | |
Mr Burris was initially turned away from Congress when he attempted to attend the swearing-in last Tuesday. | |
Officials said he did not have the correct credentials because his appointment had not been signed off by the Illinois secretary of state. | |
But after discussions with Mr Burris, Senate majority leader Harry Reid and senior Illinois Senator Dick Durbin said he had provided fresh paperwork confirming 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," the two Democrats said in a statement on Monday. | |
They added that they expected Mr Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week, barring objections from Republicans. | |
On Friday, the Illinois House of Representatives voted 114-1 to impeach Mr Blagojevich. | |
Illinois's state Senate will now try Mr Blagojevich. If found guilty, the governor will be forced out of office. | Illinois's state Senate will now try Mr Blagojevich. If found guilty, the governor will be forced out of office. |
He was arrested in December and charged with three counts of soliciting bribes, and offering to distribute public funds in return for political favours and campaign contributions. | He was arrested in December and charged with three counts of soliciting bribes, and offering to distribute public funds in return for political favours and campaign contributions. |