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JUNE 6, 2001

Jim Jeffords of Vermont officially left the Republican party on Tuesday, putting the Senate in control of the Democrats for the first time since 1994.

The day was filled, of course, with all sorts of very important and very exciting events. Among them:

• Jeffords ate lunch with the Democrats.
• Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) was officially reocgnized as the Senate Majority Leader.
• Daschle started wearing better shirts. And look at those ties!
• "Maverick" Republicans like John McCain (Ariz.) and Lincoln Chafee (R.I.) suddenly became white hot properties. McCain had dinner at the White House last night.
• Adopting conciliatory tones, Republicans said they wouldn't filibuster commitee reorganizations.
• Bush said he would continue to get things done. He also hosted Jeffords at the White House.

Jeffords desk today will be moved to the Democrat side of the Senate. He will sit between Jeff Bingaman of New Mexico and John Kerry of Massachusetts.

The Republicans on Tuesday began meeting with Daschle on adopting rules for the new Senate. Committe chairmanships and memberships won't be official until the rules are adopted.

Get the Story:
Democrats Take Reins of Senate (The Washington Post 6/6)
The Smiling Majority (The Washington Post 6/6)
Daschle's Staff in Majority Leagues (The Washington Post 6/6)
Domenici in Senate Power Negotiations (The Albuquerque Journal 6/6)
As Senate Shifts, Bush Is Expressing Optimism on Issues, Sees 'a Spirit of Results' (The New York Times 6/6)
The New Power Balance at the Capitol Gives Some Senators Room to Move (The New York Times 6/6)
It's Official: Democrats Rule Senate; G.O.P. Rues Day (The New York Times 6/6)
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