Senate leaders move toward seating Burris, await court ruling

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Roland Burris will not likely take Barack Obama's Senate seat until a court in Illinois rules on a dispute surrounding his appointment. Meanwhile, President-elect Obama refused to take a stand on seating Burris.

By: Associated Press | WSAV-TV
Published: January 08, 2009

WASHINGTON (AP) - Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says Roland Burris will not likely take Barack Obama's Senate seat until a court in Illinois rules on a dispute surrounding his appointment.

While Reid embraced Burris, he said the Senate is awaiting a court ruling in a case that tests whether the signature of the Illinois secretary of state is needed for Burris to take the seat.
He suggested that would be a step toward seating Burris.

Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois, who also met with Burris, praised the man and said he hoped the legal matters would be resolved "so we can fill all the vacancies and have a full compliment of the Senate."

Meanwhile, President-elect Obama refused to take a stand on seating Burris.

Obama told a news conference on Wednesday that the decision on whether to allow Burris to join the Senate is one for the Senate to make.

He said he has known Burris for years and would be happy to "work with him" if he ultimately gets seated but that he can't go further than that.