WASHINGTON (AP) - Roland Burris has arrived on Capitol Hill in a steady rainfall and a swarm of TV cameras to claim his Senate seat.

Umbrellas partially shrouded Burris has he strode briskly toward the Capitol steps, followed closely by a large phalanx of reporters and photographers.

It still isn't clear whether 71-year-old former Illinois attorney general would be allowed to take the oath of office for the seat given him by embattled Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

Earlier Tuesday, Burris had been in tense negotiations with Senate Sergeant at Arms Terrance Gainer. Once inside the Capitol, he was taken to the secretary of the Senate's office for further discussions.