Democrats Take Senate Lead After Jeffords Departs GOP

摘要

Sen. James M.Jeffords' switch from Republican to Inde-pendent has triggered a power shift that will propel Democrats into the Senate majority, though just barely. The turnabout could change the shape of environmental and energy bills. But industry observers think that bread-and-butter infrastructure funding measures, including appropriations, won't see significant differencesrnOn May 24, Jeffords, a 12-year Senator from Vermont, said he would leave the GOP and become an Independent. His decision will make the Senate's lineup 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and one Independent. Republicans and Democrats had split the chamber 50-50. The changeover will make Thomas A. Daschle (D-S.D.) Majority Leader, the prime Senate agenda-setter.