Pat Dollard | Young Americans

FOX:

Burris to Illinois Panel: No Improper Deal Made in U.S. Senate Appointment

Burris testified before an Illinois panel Thursday that he has never been involved in any quid pro quo in his political career.

Roland Burris told an Illinois House panel Thursday that he did not engage in any improper deal with Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich in exchange for his appointment to President-elect Barack Obama’s Senate seat.

Testifying before the committee investigating grounds for impeachment against the governor, Burris attempted to assure lawmakers there was no quid pro quo clouding his appointment. Burris was barred from entering the U.S. Senate floor earlier this week, and his testimony is considered an important step toward eventually assuming Obama’s seat.

“I can before this committee state that there was nothing …. legal, personal, or political exchanged for my appointment to this seat,” Burris testified under oath. He said his appointment was made “according to law.”

But Burris declined to answer questions Thursday about whether he would have gone to federal authorities if he had been offered such a deal. He also declined to say whether Blagojevich should resign or be impeached, saying he has no control over those issues.

Though U.S. Senate Democrats have backed off their opposition to seating Burris, his appointment is not assured.

Illinois Republicans had been promising tough questions for Burris on why he accepted a position offered by disgraced Gov. Rod Blagojevich and whether he promised anything in return.

“I would like to specifically ask, under oath, if there was any quid pro quo for the appointment,” said Rep. Mike Bost, a Republican member of the Illinois House committee considering Blagojevich’s impeachment.

Blagojevich’s appointment of Burris on Dec. 30 created a furor. It came just three weeks after he was accused by federal prosecutors of scheming from his power to name Obama’s replacement in the U.S. Senate.

Lawmakers wanted to ask Burris about contributions to the governor’s campaign, how Blagojevich’s wife got a job with a group affiliated with Burris’ business partner and why the governor’s criminal lawyer approached Burris about the Senate instead of a staff member.

Obama said Wednesday that the decision on whether to allow Burris to join the Senate is a decision for Senate leaders. The president-elect said he knew Burris, liked him and would be happy to work with him if he is seated.

Senate leaders were under significant pressure to resolve the Burris matter quickly before its racial and political themes further overshadowed the 111th Congress and its consideration of a stimulus bill that could cost $1 trillion.

U.S. Senate leaders have said they would be open to recognizing Burris’ appointment after he deals with lingering legal obstacles, including an appearance Thursday afternoon before the impeachment committee.

They’re also waiting for a decision from the Illinois Supreme Court on whether Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White must sign off on Blagojevich’s appointment of Burris. Senate rules appear to bar seating anyone whose appointment isn’t properly signed by state officials.

The welcoming attitude by U.S. Senate leaders — Democrats, like Burris — was an abrupt pivot from their posture that the stain of Blagojevich’s corruption charges would strip Burris of credibility. Nearly from the day Blagojevich was arrested on federal corruption charges, they vowed to reject anyone he appointed.

When Burris showed up at the Capitol to be sworn in Tuesday, he was turned away in the rain. But on Wednesday, he was invited in to meet with Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and the No. 2 Senate Democrat, Dick Durbin. Photographers snapped pictures of the three, Burris in the middle, smiling and chatting.

Later, Reid and Durbin reported that they thought highly of Burris and they were merely waiting for procedural matters to be resolved before he could be seated.

“We don’t have a problem with him as an individual,” Reid said.

Burris, 71, said he should be able to join the Senate “very shortly.”

If the Illinois Supreme Court requires the secretary of state to sign his appointment, then the Senate will almost certainly hold a vote on whether to seat Burris, Reid said.

The impeachment committee’s Democratic chairwoman, Rep. Barbara Flynn Currie, played down the importance of Burris’ appearance, saying people must “have a screw loose” to think Blagojevich offered improper deals after being arrested.

But Republican Rep. Jim Durkin said the appointment raises serious questions. He called the role of the governor’s criminal attorney, Samuel Adam Jr., “another level of bizarre.”

“Mr. Burris owes an explanation to the millions of people in the state,” Durkin said.

The Congressional Black Caucus voted unanimously Wednesday to support seating Burris.

Chairwoman Barbara Lee said the 41-member caucus plans to send a letter to Senate Democratic leaders calling for Burris to be seated immediately.

Meanwhile, Judicial Watch, a conservative watchdog group, sued the Senate Wednesday, saying the refusal to seat Burris is unconstitutional.

Under pressure on Wednesday, Senate Democrats began the process of retreating from their previous hard line against seating Burris.

Knowledgeable Senate officials said the visual embrace of Burris was meant to show the Democrats’ acceptance of his personal and professional qualifications, reflecting the expectation among Senate Democrats and Republicans that Burris eventually would be seated.

Asked if he, Reid and Durbin discussed any conditions under which he could be seated, he said that subject “wasn’t even on their radar screen.”