Franken, Burris Try to Grab Senate Seats

The opening of the Senate tomorrow may look more like the doorway to a cool nightclub rather than the exclusive august body that it is as the doormen may try to bar the entry of two new senators: Al Franken and Roland Burris.

Now that the state canvassing board has certified that Al Franken has won the Minnesota Senate race against incumbent Sen. Norm Coleman (R), the former Saturday Night Live comedian will try to claim his seat on Tuesday (January 6) in the U.S. Senate.

According to the Capitol Hill newspaper, Roll Call, Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) will try to seat Franken.  Republicans have threatened to filibuster this move and say they will not allow Franken to seat until Coleman has exhausted all legal channels.

Meanwhile, Roland Burris, Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich pick to replace President-elect Barack Obama in the Senate, will try to take his place.  Burris said that he will try to claim his place even though the secretary of the Senate has rejected his appointment, according to CNN.  Senate Democratic leaders have said they reject Burris's appointment.