VIKRAM DAVID AMAR The Senate's Decision to Seat Roland Burris: Some of the Legal Issues the Controversy Raised, and a Lesson It Should Teach Us FindLaw columnist and U.C., Davis, law professor Vikram Amar explains the legal context of the controversy over whether the Senate should seat Roland Burris, despite the fact that Burris was nominated by Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich. Blagojevich is facing a federal indictment claiming he tried to gain favors in exchange for the Senate seat. No one is suggesting that Burris was involved in any criminal activity, such as paying for the seat, but other potential candidates may have been excluded because they would not "pay to play." Moreover, Blagojevich -- in addition to having been indicted -- has been impeached (but not yet convicted or removed) by the Illinois legislature, and the Senate has some constitutional power to police whom it will seat. Amar explains how all these factors intersect, and offers a lesson the controversy should teach us for the future.