31 May 2001 Edition

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Bush loses control of US Senate

The decision by Senator James Jeffords (Vermont) to leave the Republican Party means that the Democrats are now in the majority in the Senate. Senator Jeffords has said that while he is sitting as an independent, he will vote with the Democratic block.

The significance of this is the power the Democrats will have over the scheduling and tabling of major resolutions.

The 50-50 makeup of the US Senate before Senator Jefford's decision meant that the casting vote for the admittance of resolutions on major issues of legislative change, including taxation, education and health measures, was in the control of the Republicans. Once resolutions get to the Senate floor, their passage may not be hugely affected, as members can vote across party lines. It is the restriction of the ability of President Bush and Republican Party to get such proposals onto the floor that is in question.

And while the major impact of the change in the balance of power will be on internal American politics, there will be changes in Committee Chairs and appointments relating to matters outside the USA, since the Republicans will lose the Chairs of all Senate Committees.

For America watchers internationally, the replacement of Senator Jesse Helms as Chair of the influential Foreign Relations Committee by Democratic Senator Joseph Biden from Delaware is of great interest. Helms, notoriously right-wing in his views, is an open supporter of Unionism and has used his Chairmanship to consistently block resolutions in relation to the Peace Process, including on the Patten recommendations and on full implementation of the Good Friday Agreement.

Another notable change will be the replacement of Senator Orrin Hatch, Utah, as Chair of the Judicial Committee by Senator Patrick Leahy of Vermont. Senator Leahy is a strong supporter of the Peace Process.

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