Ethics Committee and Senate Leader Want Answers

A Senate ethics committee has begun an inquiry into allegations that Sen. Roland Burris lied about contact with staffers for ousted governor Rob Blagojevich.

By: Christian Stapleton | WKRG-TV
Published: February 22, 2009

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WASHINGTON (AP) - The Senate's Republican leader wants a quick
recommendation from the Senate ethics committee on Illinois
Democrat Roland Burris.
The committee has begun a preliminary inquiry, and Sen. Mitch
McConnell, R-Ky., hopes the committee will look at the matter
quickly. Whatever the recommendation, the full Senate would make a
final decision.
At issue is Burris' involvement with now-former Gov. Rod
Blagojevich. Blagojevich was arrested Dec. 9 on charges he plotted
to sell President Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat for campaign
cash or a plum job for himself. Before he was impeached and removed
from office, he defied lawmakers by appointing Burris to the
Senate.
Now Burris is accused of lying to an Illinois House committee
when he testified that he hadn't had contact with key Blagojevich
staffers or offered anything in return for the seat.
McConnell appeared on CNN's "State of the Union."