SPRINGFIELD - Republicans who heard U.S. Sen. Roland Burris' testimony firsthand said Friday they agree with the Senate decision to admonish him.

But the Senate could have been harsher, the lawmakers said.

Burris' testimony came before an Illinois House panel of lawmakers that was considering impeaching former Gov. Rod Blagojevich.

State Rep. Mike Bost, R-Murphysboro, was on the panel and called Friday's ruling by the Senate ethics committee a "slap on the hand."

"I felt what he said, in the best case scenario, was misleading. In the worst case scenario, he perjured himself," Bost said.

Bost said he found it odd that a man who had once served as Illinois attorney general had to have a lawyer by his side to help him with answers when he testified to the committee.

After his testimony, inconsistencies in Burris' account arose. State Rep. Roger Eddy, a Hutsonville Republican and impeachment panel member, said the admonishment of Burris acknowledged that.

"I think they just confirmed what everybody knows," Eddy said.

Another member, Republican state Rep. Dan Brady of Bloomington, said there was "no doubt" Burris gave conflicted testimony. Burris wasn't removed from the Senate, but the admonishment still hurts his reputation.

"It's the kind of mark you don't want to have on his record," Brady said.

Impeachment panel member state Rep. Chapin Rose, R-Mahoment said Friday's decision reflects poorly on the U.S. Senate.

"They are cowards twice over. He should never have been admitted in the first place. Now, they are cowards by letting him stay," Rose said.

To read the letter about Burris, go to: http://ethics.senate.gov/downloads/pdffiles/burris_112009.pdf

Mike Riopell can be reached at mike.riopell@lee.net or (217) 789-0865