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US Senate Readies for Historic Power Shift
US Senator James Jeffords will officially leave the Republicans and become an independent at the close of Senate business Tuesday, setting in motion a series of changes that will turn the US Capitol upside down.
Jeffords announced his decision to bolt the Republican Party and become an independent two weeks ago.
The departure of the 67-year-old moderate lawmaker will change the U.S. Senate's balance of power to 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one independent.
Jeffords' move will position Democrats to mount a new challenge to President George W. Bush's conservative agenda with their priorities from education to health care to the environment.
Thanks to Jeffords' decision to leave the GOP and become an independent, Tuesday marked the end of a GOP Senate reign that began in 1995. The Democratic takeover will mark the first time in history that the Senate has changed hands in a meaningful way in the midst of a session.
Jeffords received a standing ovation from Democratic senators as he joined them Tuesday for their weekly lunch, the first time he has done so. He made no comments to reporters.
Minutes earlier, Republican Senator Arlen Specter visited Jeffords in his office in a last-ditch attempt to persuade him not to vote with Democrats in reorganizing the Senate even though he was becoming an independent. Jeffords told reporters that he spurned the request.
When the U.S. Senate convenes Wednesday, Senate Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota will be formally recognized as the new majority leader, and the chairmanships of the chamber's permanent committees will go from Republican to Democratic hands.
Although Democrats will control the Senate, Republicans will retain their grip on the House of Representatives, 221 to 209 with two independents and three vacancies.
"This is black Tuesday," said Assistant Senate Republican Leader Don Nickles. "This is my last day in the majority and I'm going to enjoy it."
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