Jan 5, 2009 11:03 am US/Central
Senate Secretary Refuses Burris Paperwork
CHICAGO (CBS) ―
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Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich (left) introduces former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris as his choice to fill the U.S. Senate seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama during a press conference at the Thompson Center Dec. 30, 2008.
Scott Olson/Getty Images
An official representing Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich has delivered the paperwork for Senate appointee Roland Burris to Washington, but the Senate secretary has refused to accept it.
CBS 2's Mike Parker reports that the governor's acting chief of staff hand-delivered the letter appointing Burris to the secretary of the United States Senate. He was told the letter was "received but not accepted," because it is missing the great seal of Illinois and the signature of Secretary of State Jesse White.
So what happens next?
"I'm not sure. This is really uncharted territory for a lot of people," said Blagojevich spokesman Lucio Guerrero. "I think the governor believes he acted under his responsibility in choosing to appoint somebody to the Senate, especially now that there are so many crises and things going on in the Senate."
Blagojevich's paperwork naming Burris to President-elect Barack Obama's vacant seat hasn't been certified by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White.
White has refused to certify any appointment by Blagojevich, who was arrested last month on federal corruption charges.
Late last week, Burris asked the state Supreme Court for an emergency order to force Jesse White to sign the document. So far the court has not done that, and White is refusing to budge.
Senate Democrats have insisted they won't seat Burris when he shows up in Washington.
CBS 2's Mike Parker and the Associated Press contributed to this report.
(© MMIX, CBS Broadcasting Inc. All Rights Reserved.)
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