Senator-elect Mark Kirk, R-Ill., is one of three senators elected Nov. 2 to fill seats vacated by individuals who joined the Obama administration. Illinois law requires that Kirk assume his office immediately following the election, but unnamed state officials say Kirk can’t be sworn in until Nov. 29 due to “paperwork” delays. Kirk, who replaces Democratic appointee Roland Burris, won his election after promising to be a Republican vote against any attempts by Democrats to pass radical legislation during the lame duck session of Congress. The lame duck session that opens Nov. 15 gives shellacked Democrats two final weeks to pass legislation they failed to approve before the election. Burris will still sit with Senate Democrats if Kirk is not sworn in until Nov. 29.
The seeming inability of unnamed Illinois officials to complete “paperwork” as required by law in a timely manner contrasts mightily with West Virginia and Delaware, where no such delays will delay seating Joe Manchin and Chris Coons, respectively, who will take office on the first day of the lame duck session. That both are Democrats replacing Democrats and thus won’t change the Senate’s partisan balance of power is probably not coincidental. Let’s not forget, either, that the Democratic political machine holding up Kirk’s appointment may be the most corrupt since Tammany Hall.
Kirk defeated Democrat Alexi Giannoulias, the Illinois state treasurer best known for running his family bank into the ground while making multiple loans to people linked to the mob. And don’t forget that Burris was appointed to the Senate seat formerly occupied by President Obama by impeached former Gov. Rod Blagojevich. He was subsequently tried by the feds for attempting to sell the appointment to the highest bidder. Fortunately, there is a simple remedy that can ensure that corrupt party bosses on Chicago’s South Side aren’t able to flout the law and the electorate by delaying Kirk’s swearing-in.
Republicans, who have 41 members of the lame duck Senate, should promise to filibuster everything until Kirk takes his rightful place in the upper chamber. National Democrats won’t enjoy having to defend the chicanery of their Illinois brethren and will likely exert pressure on them to stop the funny business. By thus promising to filibuster — and carrying through with the threat if necessary — Republicans will make clear their determination to end business as usual in the Democratic Senate.
