CNN:
Former Illinois Attorney General Roland Burris was denied entry to the Senate chambers Tuesday as he tried to claim the seat once held by President-elect Barack Obama.Reporters swarmed Burris and documented his every step as he made his way through the Capitol and into the office of the secretary of the Senate on the first day of the 111th Congress.
CNN's Dana Bash described the scene as a "madhouse."
In a news conference before a flock of observers and reporters, Burris said the secretary of the Senate told him his credentials were "not in order" and therefore he would not be allowed access to the floor. Watch Burris describe what happened »
The battle continues on.
In related news, Senate Democrats also hold off on seating Al Franken.
Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid yielded to Republican threats and agreed on Monday not to immediately seat fellow Democrat Al Franken, whose razor-close victory in Minnesota faces legal challenges.