Senate Democrats agree to seat Burris

WASHINGTON, Jan. 12 (UPI) -- Leading Senate Democrats Monday said Roland Burris, a former attorney general from Illinois, is to be certified as the state's newest U.S. senator.

"Barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week," said a statement from Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Assistant Majority Leader Dick Durbin.

The Senate's legal counsel Monday approved Burris' appointment to the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama by Gov. Rod Blagojevich, who last week was impeached by the Illinois House and faces federal corruption charges for allegedly trying to profit from the seat vacated by President-elect Barack Obama, CNN reported. Blagojevich has said he innocent of any wrongdoing.

U.S. Senate Democrats initially objected to the appointment, saying Burris was qualified for the seat but had been appointed by an allegedly corrupt governor, the Chicago Tribune reported Monday.