It is being reported, now confirmed by Durbin and Reid that the Senate will accept Burris' credentials and this damn saga is OVER.
The Roland Burris saga is over, as Democratic Senate leaders have accepted his credentials and will swear him in as the junior senator from Illinois by the end of this week.
The decision ends an embarrassing chapter in Democratic politics and allows the Senate to move on after the Burris spectacle dominated the opening week of the 111th Congress.
In a statement issued after a 45-minute meeting between Senate officials and Burris’ lawyers, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) and Senate Majority Whip Dick Durbin (D-Ill.) said Burris is now the senator-designate from Illinois after the secretary of the Senate approved his latest credentials.
“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,” the statement said. “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.
“Accordingly, 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,” the statement said.
I mean, really, the senate could not have this DRAGGED OUT during the Inaugural Celebrations around D.C.
Finally, this has been a pr NIGHTMARE for Harry Reid and Dick Durbin. Again, seating Burris takes this media spectacle OFF the table and relegates Blago's mess more locally than nationally.
It is about time someone in D.C. put on their "smart hats", for real.
Sun-Times
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