Jeffords Leaves GOP, Shifts Senate Control

By Charles Babington
washingtonpost.com Staff Writer
Thursday, May 24, 2001; 3:32 PM

Sen. James M. Jeffords of Vermont said today he will quit the Republican Party, giving Democrats control of the Senate for the first time since 1994 and greatly enhancing their ability to challenge President Bush's legislative agenda. Jeffords, a moderate who has felt more and more out of step with the GOP in recent years, said in Burlington: "In order to best represent my state of Vermont, my own conscience and principles I have stood for my whole life, I will leave the Republican Party and become an Independent... Increasingly, I find myself in disagreement with my party."

While declaring himself an Independent, Jeffords said he will vote with Democrats on organizational matters. He said he would make the switch as soon as the House and Senate resolve their differences on Bush's tax-cut bill and send it to the White House for his signature. That will give Democrats a one-vote Senate majority, allowing them to assume all committee chairmanships and determine the scheduling of votes, hearings and other matters.

House and Senate negotiators hope to complete the tax bill by the weekend, although it's possible to take longer.

Bush said in Cleveland today that he respects Jeffords but strongly disagrees with the senator's criticisms of the administration and the Republican Party.

"I respect Senator Jeffords," the president said, "but respectfully, I couldn't disagree more. Our agenda for reforming America's public schools and providing tax relief for every taxpayer represents the hopes and dreams of Main Street America..... I was elected to get things done on behalf of the American people, and to work with both Republicans and Democrats, and we're doing just that."

When Jeffords formally leaves the party, Sen. Thomas Daschle (D-S.D.) will replace Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) as majority leader. Under the 50-50 Senate, Republicans held control because Vice President Cheney could break tie votes. The new Senate will have 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one Independent, Jeffords.

His decision ends the GOP's four-month control of both congressional chambers and the White House, something the party had not enjoyed in decades. The Republicans' narrow control of the House will require hard bargaining on many issues in efforts to craft legislation acceptable to both chambers. Lawmakers predict that some, and perhaps many, of Bush's initiatives will be put on hold or significantly modified.

In a press conference this afternoon, Lott said the change in control of the Senate would become effective when Congress passes the tax cut legislation or, if that becomes bogged down, June 5.

He expressed disappointment at Jeffords's decision but said he had worked with Jeffords and other senators to make sure that all positions were understood. "My job is to be the bridge that brings them all together," Lott said. " . . . Republicans believe in freedom and freedom of expression."

He said that even in the minority, Republicans will have a great impact on the Senate's work. "There are ways you can affect results, either in the majority or the minority," he explained.

The president will "get his two primary objectives – tax cuts and the education bill – and nothing else out of this Congress," Sen. Robert F. Bennett (R-Utah) said yesterday.

Daschle today called Jeffords' decision "courageous" and said it will benefit the Senate and the public.

"The American people . . . deserve a Senate in which their opinions can be honestly expressed. . . . We haven't had enough if that lately," he said.

Daschle said that he expected to meet with Lott to work out a new organizational structure for the Senate shortly.

"We can make this closely divided Senate work for the people. . . .," he added. "[We] are determined to work with the president, Sen. Lott and every member of this body to see that it does."

The Democrats' majority status will enable them to set the tone for hearings on an array of issues, including Bush's nominations of federal judges. Chairmanship of the Judiciary Committee, which conducts such hearings, will switch from conservative Sen. Orrin Hatch (R-Utah) to liberal Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-Vt.).

Bush and GOP senators tried to dissuade Jeffords yesterday, offering him a new party leadership post. But Jeffords said Bush's election, by consolidating conservatives' power in the GOP and in Congress, has made life more difficult for Republican moderates.

"Given the changing nature of the national party," he said, "it has become a struggle for our leaders to deal with me and for me to deal with them. Indeed, the party's electoral success has underscored the dilemma that I face within the party. In the past, without the presidency, the various wings of the Republican Party in Congress have had some freedom to argue and influence and ultimately to shape the party's agenda. The election of President Bush changed that dramatically."

He continued: "Looking ahead, I can see more and more instances where I'll disagree with the president on very fundamental issues – the issues of choice, the direction of the judiciary, tax and spending decisions, missile defense, energy and the environment, and a host of other issues, large and small."

"I do not approach this question lightly," Jeffords said. "I have spent a lifetime in the Republican Party... The weight has been lifted from my shoulders; [it] now hangs heavy on my heart."

Jeffords, 67, sent a light-hearted warning to Democrats, saying he'll often vote against their leaders, too.

"I have informed President Bush, Vice President Cheney and Senator Lott of my decision," he said. "...And I have informed Senator Daschle, also, of my decision. Three of these four men disagree with my decision, but I hope each understood my reasons. And it's quite entirely possible that the fourth one [Daschle], with my independence, may have second thoughts down the road."

In a luncheon with Washington Post reporters and editors today, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) refrained from blaming Bush or Lott for Jeffords' defection. But McCain, who challenged Bush for the presidential nomination last year, said the Republican Party must be more tolerant of moderates.

"I believe our party must be an inclusive party, one that does not threaten vengeance, retaliation or punishment to those who might not vote strictly along party lines," he said.

Vermont GOP national committeeman Skip Vallee said, "My concern for Jeffords is that his legacy will be as one of Benedict Arnold," the Associated Press reported.

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