Democratic leaders Monday endorsed the bid by Illinois attorney Roland Burris to succeed president-elect Barack Obama in the Senate, after a row over his appointment by the state's impeached governor.
Senate Democratic majority leader Harry Reid and his top lieutenant Senator Dick Durbin said Burris had provided fresh paperwork confirming his appointment after his credentials were rejected as incomplete last week.
"We have spoken to Mr. Burris to let him know that he is now the Senator-designate from Illinois and as such, will be accorded all the rights and privileges of a Senator-elect," the two leaders said in a statement.
"Accordingly, barring objections from Senate Republicans, we expect Senator-designee Burris to be sworn in and formally seated later this week.
"We are working with him and the office of the vice president to determine the date and time of the swearing-in."
Burris was named to the Illinois Senate seat by scandal-tainted Governor Rod Blagojevich, who was arrested and accused of trying to sell off the plum position in return for political favors.
Democrats, fearing the political impact of accepting any senator picked by Blagojevich, turned Burris away from the Senate last week when he came to claim the seat, arguing his paperwork was not in order.
On Thursday, Burris told an impeachment inquiry in the Illinois state legislature that he had made no deals with Blagojevich to secure the appointment to the senate seat of president-elect Barack Obama.
Burris told reporters in Chicago he was looking forward to the honor of serving as senator for Illinois.
"It is always the darkest before the dawn. I believe that dawn is near and there are brighter days ahead for Illinois."
Republicans tried to make immediate political hay out of the decision on Burris.
"It is regrettable that Senate Democrats have gone back on their word and will now seat Governor Rod Blagojevich's appointee," said Republican National Comittee Chairman Mike Duncan.
"Democrats had every opportunity to strip Governor Blagojevich of his power to appoint a US Senator, but ultimately they accepted a Blagojevich appointee rather than risk losing a Senate seat in a special election."
Blagojevich was arrested December 9 on allegations he tried to swap the appointment for a cabinet post, campaign donations or a high-paying job for himself or his wife amid what prosecutors called a "political corruption crime spree."
Blagojevich appointed Burris to the seat a few weeks later despite protestations by Senate Democrats who vowed not to seat anyone he tapped.
The governor, who has denied wrongdoing, said he was merely fulfilling his duty to the citizens of Illinois after state lawmakers failed to call a special election.
"Please don't allow the allegations against me to taint this good and honest man," Blagojevich said in announcing the appointment.
The Illinois House of Representatives on Friday impeached Blagojevich by 114 votes to one and the state senate will now conduct a trial to determine whether he should be removed from office.
