Roland Burris was rejected by the Secretary of the Senate's Office this morning on procedural grounds. IL Secretary of State Jesse White has not certified his credentials. Burris didn't put up a fight, and was quietly escorted from the building by Capitol Police and the Senate Sergeant at Arms.

Funny coincidences... the Sergeant at Arms, Terrance Gainer, is an old friend of Burris'. When Burris was IL Attorney General, Gainer was Director of the Illinois State Police. A quick check also shows the SoA is not a purely ceremonial position. The houses of Congress hire experienced law enforcement professionals, as they are responsible for each house's security. The House SoA's duties include "presenting the Mace of the House" before a congressman who refuses to STFU. It's not clear what that's supposed to mean... I can hardly see a congressman being beaten into silence on the floor of the House, however tempting that must occasionally be.