Durbin: Senate won't seat Burris without signature
1/9/2009CHICAGO U.S. Sen. Dick Durbin says Roland Burris won't be accepted as President-elect Barack Obama's replacement in Senate without the Illinois secretary of state's signature.
The Illinois Supreme Court said Friday that Gov. Rod Blagojevich's appointment of Burris is valid under state law without Secretary of State Jesse White's signature. But Durbin said the Senate "must insist" on its rule requiring White to sign.
White is refusing to sign because of the federal corruption charges against Blagojevich that include allegations he tried to sell or trade the seat.
Blagojevich was impeached Friday.
Durbin says if White doesn't change his mind about signing, the Senate will wait to see if Blagojevich is removed from office after his impeachment trial.