Updated July 10, 2009
Burris to Ride Into the Sunset Empty-Handed
FOXNews.com
Sen. Roland Burris, whose appointment to the Senate has been clouded by controversy, won't get a retirement package from Congress because he hasn't served long enough.
Sen. Roland Burris, who was appointed to replace President Obama in the U.S. Senate and announced Friday that will not seek election to keep his seat, won't have much to celebrate at his retirement party.
Burris, 71, is at retirement age, but he won't get a congressional pension because he hasn't served in Congress long enough.
Lawmakers are eligible for a pension at 62 if they have served at least five years in the House and Senate combined. Burris was appointed to the Senate in late December by then Illinois Gov. Rod Blagojevich.
Burris currently makes $174,000 a year as a senator. If he sought election next year and won a full term, he would have become eligible for a pension in 2013 of about $14,790, if his salary didn't increase.
Financial problems are what drove Burris to decide not to run. He had reportedly raised only about $20,000 in campaign funds and only $845 in the first quarter of this year.
In all likelihood, an empty retirement package probably avoids yet another political headache for Burris, who has been surrounded by controversy since his appointment.
When Blagojevich named him to replace Obama, the governor faced a federal probe into evidence he had tried to sell the seat to the highest bidder, among other corruption charges. Blagojevich was later ousted from office. Senate Democratic leaders initially objected to Burris' appointment, but they later accepted it under pressure. Burris is currently the only U.S. senator who is black.
Burris has denied paying for the appointment, but he has been alienated in the Senate following revelations that he had closer ties to Blagojevich's camp than he initially admitted.
Latest Politics Videos
-
-
Eventful Trip?
-
Nov 21, 2009
Did Obama make any news in Asia?
-
-
-
Bogus Numbers
-
Nov 21, 2009
Media cracks down on 'saved jobs' numbers
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 1
-
Nov 21, 2009
Fair and balanced fact checking?
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 2
-
Nov 21, 2009
Obama's bow: Much ado about nothing?
-
-
-
The Journal Editorial Report: 11/21
-
Nov 21, 2009
What role will Palin play in 2010?
-
-
-
Behind the Breaks # 3
-
Nov 21, 2009
What will make news in coming weeks?
-
Real Clear Politics Poll
| Job Approval | Approve | Disapprove | Spread |
| Obama | 50.6% | 43.4% | +7.2% |
| Congress | 27.0% | 64.3% | -37.3% |
| Direction of Country | Right Direction | Wrong Track | Spread |
| RCP Average | 38.0% | 57.2% | -19.2% |
Most Active In Politics
Most Read
Most Commented
-
House Passes Health Care Bill
November 08, 2009 1,132 comments
-
AP Turns Heads for Devoting 11 Reporters to Palin Book 'Fact Check'
November 18, 2009 855 comments
-
Obama: 'Dont' Jump to Conclusions' on Fort Hood Shooting
November 06, 2009 615 comments
-
U.S. Likely to Seek Death Penalty for Sept. 11 Terror Suspects
November 13, 2009 728 comments
-
Republicans Rally Resistance to Health Care Bill, as House Vote Nears
November 05, 2009 657 comments
-
Strains in Party Threatens Democrats
November 20, 2009
-
U.S. Enlists Allies in New Surge
November 21, 2009
-
Obama Seeks to Boost U.S. Exports
November 21, 2009
-
California's Newsom Faces Headwinds
November 20, 2009
-
White House Seeks Broad Climate Plan
November 20, 2009
-
Peter Mandelson bets on two sure-fire losers
November 21, 2009
-
Sadly, most people with a learning disability should not have children
November 21, 2009
-
Wind of deceit drives Labour’s green energy plan
November 21, 2009
-
A game of two halves: cheating and whining
November 21, 2009
-
Belle lays bare the myth that every hooker is a victim
November 21, 2009



recommend

Subscribe to Comments






