Roland Burris Sworn In as Obama Senate Successor
After an initial snub from his Democratic colleagues, Burris is welcomed into the club
By LIZ SIDOTI
Associated Press Writer
WASHINGTON (AP) — Roland Burris took his place as Barack Obama's successor in the Senate on Thursday, ending a standoff that embarrassed the president-elect and fellow Democrats who initially resisted the appointment by impeached Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
"I do," Burris said with a grin as Vice President Dick Cheney administered the oath of office to the former Illinois attorney general who takes Obama's place as the Senate's only black member.
More than a week after his colleagues were sworn in, Burris was seated without objection or a roll call vote, even though Majority Leader Harry Reid had said senators would have their voices heard on whether to accept his appointment.
Reid smiled broadly and applauded as Burris received a standing ovation from his new colleagues and accepted handshakes and congratulations from Republicans and Democrats alike. Later, the senior senator from Illinois, Dick Durbin, was throwing a reception in his new colleague's honor.
It was a warm welcome that contrasted sharply with last week's treatment, when Burris showed up on Capitol Hill to be sworn in with his colleagues, only to be turned away by Reid and Durbin, the No. 2 Democrat in the Senate. They argued Burris' appointment wasn't valid under Senate rules.
But as the scandal-scarred Blagojevich watched, Burris dug in and the two Senate Democratic leaders ultimately relented under pressure from Obama and rank-and-file Democrats who worried the episode was distracting from more important matters and putting the party — and the president-elect — in a bad light.
Reader Comments
Roland Burris
Well, they've proven that he's not in any way related to the scandal, and he seems to have similar ideals and policies to the man he's replacing. I'm sure every eye will be on him, and if there's an issue, they'll jump all on it.
Till then, let the man do his job. He's a Howard Law graduate by the way. It's inspiring to see a graduate of an HBCU do well.
Burris swear-in
The Senate and Obama should have early on recognized that the Senate rule requiring state Secretary of State signature on Burris credentials was not constitutionally sound. Instead they continue to say that his credentials are now in order. Do they not understand the Constitution?
Burris swear-in
The Senate and Obama should have early on recognized that the Senate rule requiring state Secretary of State signature on Burris credentials was not constitutionally sound. Instead they continue to say that his credentials are now in order. Do they not understand the Constitution?
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