The Senate in the 111th Congress

The 111th Congress began in the Senate yesterday with the swearing-in of newly elected and re-elected members. However, there are still two seats vacant, although Democratic Party leaders hope that both will be filled soon.

Roland Burris, who was appointed by beleaguered Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich, presented his documents to the Secretary of the Senate and was told that they were not in order – he lacked the signature of the Secretary of State of Illinois. Burris then went across the street to announce that he would be pursuing the matter in court if necessary. While the Democratic leadership has steadfastly said that they would not accept an appointment by Blagojevich, who was arrested for allegedly trying to sell the Senate vacated by President-elect Barack Obama. However, it is not clear that they have legal footing to thwart Burris’ efforts to assume the seat. Blagojevich is still Governor, and is required by law to appoint a successor to Obama. The tide seems to be turning in Burris’ favor – yesterday, California Senator Dianne Feinstein stated that Burris should be seated. Expect more activity on this matter today. The current Intrade contract on whether Burris will be seated is 92.0, indicating that those participating in this futures market feel that the ex-Illinois Attorney General would soon take his seat in the US Senate.

On Monday, the Minnesota State Election Board unanimously stated that the final vote count for Norm Coleman’s Senate seat showed Al Franken with a 225-vote margin. However, Franken did not go to Washington yesterday to try to get seated, opting to wait for expected legal action by Coleman. Senate Majority leader Harry Reid of Nevada made a statement from the Senate floor in which he urged Coleman to concede, that Franken was the new Senator from Minnesota, but that the issue would not be pressed at that time.

Perhaps the other most significant news about Senate elections came by way of a statement by Florida ex-Governor Jeb Bush that he would not seek the Senate seat from which Mel Martinez has announced his retirement. This certainly changed the outlook for the seat. While Barack Obama picked up Florida’s electoral votes this year and suggested that Martinez’ retirement might offer a chance to pick up yet another Senate seat for the Democratic Party, it was widely believed that Bush would have a lock on the seat in the 2010 election should he run. His decision not to run would seem to put this seat firmly back into the winnable category for the Democrats.