The Two Parties Strike Deal On Running a Divided Senate

AP 5jan01

WASHINGTON -- Cementing their gains from the November elections, Democrats won major procedural concessions from Republicans on Friday as the two parties agreed on how to run a Senate divided 50-50 between them for the first time.

Party leaders planned to push the package through the Senate late Friday, laying down procedures that will affect the ease with which President-elect Bush's agenda can move through the 107th Congress. Among the new rules, every committee will have equal numbers of members from both parties.

Announcing the agreement on the Senate floor, Democratic leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota said if the pact "is not miraculous, it is at the very least historic. It is also fair and reasonable."

"I wouldn't say this is my preferred result, but it is a reasonable one, with a serious dose of reality," said Senate Republican leader Trent Lott of Mississippi.

The agreement was the product of weeks of negotiations between the two men.

Having fought their way from a 54-46 Senate minority last year to a 50-50 tie, Democrats have been demanding parity on committees, in hiring staff and on other matters. But Republicans have insisted on having the upper hand, since they will control the chamber starting Jan. 20, when Republican Dick Cheney will become vice president and gain the tie-breaking vote in the Senate.

The deal reflected the political reality that even though Republicans would have Mr. Cheney's vote, Democrats have enough votes to halt the Senate's work with procedural delays.

"We have work to do, and we need to do it now, not in a week or two or three or four," Mr. Lott said.

The agreement was resisted for days by many conservative members, who were reluctant to cede power to Democrats at a time when the GOP will control the White House and both chambers of Congress. Reflecting their dissatisfaction, the Senate planned to approve the plan by voice vote, avoiding a public show of dissension by lawmakers that could embarrass the leaders, particularly Mr. Lott.

Sen. Phil Gramm (R., Texas) said on the Senate floor that he had "deep concerns about this agreement and its workability," but he said he would support it.

"This resolution may haunt me, but it's fair and allows us to go on with the people's business," Mr. Lott said.

With committee membership divided down the middle, the plan will allow either party's leader to get bills or nominations to the full Senate with a tie vote in committee. Until now, a tie vote has killed a measure before it reaches the Senate floor.

If a vote by a subcommittee is tied, the committee chairman could still bring the measure before the full committee for consideration.

The agreement leaves open the question of membership on crucial conference committees, which negotiate final versions of bills with the House. Mr. Lott told reporters he believed Republicans would have majorities on conference committees.

The two parties will be able to hire staffs of equal size. Until now, the majority party has had the larger budget to hire aides.

In addition, they agreed that if a senator resigns or dies and the Senate's 50-50 ratio changes, they would once again alter the chamber's procedures.