July 13, 2001

Senate Approves New Organizing Resolution; Assigns New Committee Members

The Senate June 29 approved a new organizing resolution to address issues related to the administration of the Senate following Sen. Jim Jeffords' (I-Vt.) decision to become an Independent and caucus with the Democrats. Under the new agreement, Democrats will have one-seat majorities on all committees. Because Sen. Jeffords' seat now counts toward the Democratic total, ratios on the committees he sits on will be adjusted by adding one Republican. Therefore, Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wy.) becomes the newest member of the Finance Committee, Sen. Mike DeWine (R-Ohio) will join the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee and Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) is added to the Veterans' Affairs Committee. On the Democratic side, Sen. Jack Reed (D-R.I.) was assigned to a seat on the Appropriations Committee