Roland With The Punches: Burris Blocked From Senate
The Secretary of the Senate today blocked Roland Burris, Gov. Rod Blagojevich's pick to replace Barack Obama in the U.S. Senate, from taking his seat. Drawing a swarm of reporters, Burris arrived in Washington to be sworn in with the 111th Congress.
After being turned away, the New York Times reports that "the aspiring legislator stood in the rain outside and declared, 'Members of the media, my name is Roland Burris, the junior senator from the State of Illinois.'"
But Senate Democrats have said they view the appointment as tainted. They suggest that Blagojevich should step aside to allow his lieutenant governor, Pat Quinn, to select the state's next senator. But a constitutional question lingers. Blagojevich has not (yet) been impeached, and though he is fighting federal corruption charges, he remains for the time being the governor of IL. He is legally tasked with selecting the state's next senator. If Burris digs in, which it appears he is, will the Dems have to fold? Or will the IL House expedite impeachment proceedings?
(JS)
What do impeachment proceedings have to do with seating Burris? Even if Blagojevich is impeached and removed, that doesn't change the legal status of actions Blagojevich took while he was still governor. Filling a vacant Senate seat, like signing a law, is a unilateral power of the governor, and does not require confirmation or consent from any other entity. The appointment of Burris is a final act, and there is no vacancy for a new governor to fill.
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>>>What do impeachment proceedings have to do with seating Burris?
Besides the fact that the Burris appointment is a product of Blago's judgement, nothing.
Do you trust Blagojevich's judgement?
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