107th Congress: Opening Day Actions

The November 2000 elections caused the Senate to be tied with 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. Only once before, in 1881, had the two major parties been equally represented in the Senate. The Powersharing Agreement: S.Res. Supplemental Colloquy, January 8, 2001

On January 8, 2001, the agreement was further clarified and other new procedures were announced. The Shift to Democratic Control, May-June 2001

On May 24, 2001, Senator James Jeffords announced his intention to leave the Republican party, to become an Independent, and to caucus with the Senate Democrats. 101 and S.Res. The Senate confirmed Ziglar's nomination on August 1, 2001, and also agreed to a resolution ( S.Res. S.Res. 120 and Other Organizational Issues

An agreement on committees and related organizational issues was reached by resolution just before the Senate adjourned for the Independence Day recess on June 29, 2001. 120 of June 29, 2001 provided for Democratic majorities on all Senate standing and select committees (except for the Select Committee on Ethics which always has equal party representation). The two party conferences approved new assignments for their members (including the designation of Senator Jeffords as the new chair of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee) on July 10. Conclusion

The powersharing agreement was an experiment. The new Senate organization resolution departed as well from many established practices. Pursuant to the provisions and exceptions
18 listed above, the following additional Standing Orders
19 shall be in effect for the 107 th Congress:
20 (1) If a committee has not reported out a legis-
21 lative item or nomination because of a tie vote, then,
22 after notice of such tie vote has been transmitted to
23 the Senate by that committee and printed in the
24 Record, the Majority Leader or the Minority Leader
25 may, only after consultation with the Chairman and
1 Ranking Member of the committee, make a motion
2 to discharge such legislative item or nomination,
3 and time for debate on such motion shall be limited to
4 4 hours, to be equally divided between the two Lead-
5 ers, with no other motions, points of order, or
6 amendments in order: Provided , That following the
7 use or yielding back of time, a vote occur on the mo-
8 tion to discharge, without any intervening action,
9 motion, or debate, and if agreed to it be placed im-
10 mediately on the Calendar of Business (in the case
11 of legislation) or the Executive Calendar (in the
12 case of a nomination).
The 2000 elections resulted in a Senate composed of 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats. Not since the Senate of 1881 (37 Republicans, 37 Democrats, and two Independents) had the two major parties been equally represented. An historic powersharing agreement, worked out by the party floor leaders in consultation with their party colleagues, was presented to the Senate ( S.Res. 8 ) on January 5, 2001 and agreed to the same day. The agreement was clarified by a leadership colloquy on January 8, 2001.
In May of 2001, Senator James Jeffords of Vermont decided to leave the Republican party, to become an Independent, and to support the Democratic conference on organizational issues. Control of the Senate shifted to the Democratic party. The power shift annulled major portions of the powersharing agreement. After negotiations between the parties, a new organizing resolution, S.Res. 120 , was agreed to on June 29, 2001. The resolution provided for the appointment of a Democratic majority on all Senate standing committees, and also covered such issues as staffing and space assignments on Senate committees. Other issues connected to Senate organization were addressed by letters signed by relevant committee chairs and ranking members, entered into the Congressional Record of June 29, 2001. On July 10, the two Senate party conferences approved new committee assignments for certain of their members. In late July and early August, new Senate administrative and party officers were chosen.
This report describes the principal features of S.Res. 8 and S.Res. 120 , as well as supplementary agreements and understandings between the parties that operated during the 107 th Congress. The report will not be updated.