As 111th Senate Is Set to Begin, Four Seats Still Up in Air

But state Assembly Speaker Sheldon Silver, a Democratic power broker who had publicly criticized Kennedy, told New York media outlets that Kennedy is "obviously very bright," a sign that insiders interpreted as a possible blessing of her appointment.

Like Salazar, Clinton is awaiting her confirmation hearing, set for mid-January, with the earliest possible confirmation coming on Jan. 20, the day of Obama's inauguration. Both senators have said they will not resign until they are confirmed.

That leaves Illinois and Minnesota up in the air, with Burris's appointment still opposed by both parties because of the criminal case pending against Blagojevich and with partisan acrimony surrounding the Coleman-Franken recount.

Burris filed a motion yesterday asking the Illinois Supreme Court to "act quickly" on his earlier motion to compel Secretary of State Jesse White to certify his appointment. Burris hopes to be officially appointed before Tuesday's ceremonies despite objections from Senate Majority Leader Harry M. Reid (Nev.) and other Democrats to his selection.

Prince Riley, an aide to Burris, said the former Illinois attorney general plans to travel to Washington next week, but played down speculation that Burris would attempt to enter the Senate chamber without approval from Senate leaders. "Senator Burris respects Senator Reid and the other members of the Senate and is only seeking that which is legal and required under the appointment laws of Illinois," Riley said.

Because Blagojevich has been charged with trying to sell the Senate appointment for financial gain or a future appointment, Obama and Senate Democrats have opposed seating anyone the governor chooses. Several legal experts have questioned the constitutionality of Reid's attempt to block the appointment.

Minnesota election officials expect to go through the final batch of votes in that Senate race this weekend, setting up the potential for a ruling on the final vote count as early as Monday. Coleman has alleged that Franken's current slim lead is based on the accidental double-counting of more than 100 votes from Minneapolis, a Franken stronghold, and may file a legal challenge next week.

If Coleman takes such a step, Cornyn said, his fellow GOP senators will stand with him and filibuster any effort by Democrats to seat the comedian-turned-politician.

Staff writers Perry Bacon Jr. and Shailagh Murray contributed to this report.