The new US Congress has opened, amid a row as the choice to fill President-elect Barack Obama's vacant Senate seat was blocked from the chamber's floor.

Senate Democrats had vowed to prevent Roland Burris taking the Illinois seat because he was picked by scandal-hit Illinois Governor Rod Blagojevich.

Mr Burris said officials turned him away when he arrived to be sworn in.

The Democrats are in charge of both chambers and about to welcome one of their own into the White House.