Roland Burris Denied Entry To US Senate

There was no brawl...but CNN reports that the US Senate used a chamber rule to keep newly appointed Illinois Senator Roland Burris from being seated. Burris was appointed to replace President-elect Obama by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich..who is accused of trying to sell the seat.

Nancy Erickson, the secretary of the Senate, rejected Burris' appointment on Monday because Burris' certificate of appointment was missing the signature of Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, an aide to the secretary said.

Rule 2 of the Standing Rules of the Senate states that the secretary of state must sign the certificate of election along with the governor.

White has declined to sign the certificate, siding with some Senate Democrats who say Burris should not be seated because of the cloud over Democratic Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Update: Burris will go to court.