It doesn't look good for Roland Burris as senate officer rejects paperwork to fill seat

By Mike Dorning
Washington Bureau
WASHINGTON—Secretary of the Senate Nancy Erickson rejected Roland Burris's certificate of appointment to the Senate as invalid, said Beth Provenzano, a spokeswoman for Erickson.
"We received it this morning at 9 a.m.. The parliamentarian reviewed it and we've advised Mr. Burris' staff that it does not conform with Senate Rule 2," Provenzano said.

That rule requires that the certificate be signed both by the governor and the secretary of state. Provenzano said the certificate was signed by Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich but she declined to answer a question on whether the certificate was signed by Illinois Secretary of State Jesse White, saying only that the certificate did not meet the requirements of the rule.
White has said publicly that he would not sign the certificate.
Senate leaders insist they will refuse to admit Burris on opening day Tuesday, having warned Blagojevich they will not accept any appointment from a governor accused by federal authorities of trying to sell the seat. The lack of a certificate for Burris' appointment provides them the grounds they will need to reject him as a matter of the rule book.

Getty Images/AP Photos