Senate appointment legal, Burris says

WASHINGTON, Jan. 5 (UPI) -- Roland Burris, the controversial appointee to President-elect Barack Obama's Senate seat, said Monday he will present himself to be seated in the chamber.

If his entry is blocked, "my lawyers will take it from there and we'll see what happens," Burris said Monday during a news conference in Chicago before traveling to Washington.

Burris said he isn't concerned about corruption allegations against Illinois Gov Rod Blagojevich, who appointed him last week. The former Illinois attorney general said Blagojevich "carried out his duties and he filled a vacancy according to law."

"This appointment is legal. I am the junior senator from Illinois," he said. "(The controversy) is all politics and theater. But I am the junior senator, according to every law book in the nation."

He said he was scheduled to meet with Senate Democratic leadership -- which opposes his being seated -- on Wednesday. The secretary of the Senate on Tuesday refused to accept his certification of appointment because the Illinois secretary of state refused to sign the document.

In addition, Burris said he was subpoenaed to appear before the Illinois House of Representatives committee considering whether to recommend impeaching Blagojevich to the full chamber.

He said he was planning to travel to Illinois' capital city of Springfield, Ill., from Washington on Thursday.

During an appearance on NBC's "Meet the Press" Sunday, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid of Nevada said it would be "very difficult" for Burris to become a senator, but added he was open to negotiations.

Reid said he will meet with Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell of Kentucky in hopes of reaching a bipartisan decision.