Senate Republicans, Democrats Agree to Share Power

Republicans and Democrats in the Senate have agreed to share power on an almost equal basis and avoid gridlock, the Washington Post reported Friday afternoon on its Web site.

This will have significant impact on how legislation gets through committee, especially the panels that affect trucking interests.

Although the plan had not been voted upon, it was announced on the Senate floor, the Post reported. The November election resulted in a 50-50 split between Republican and Democratic members.

Democrats hold a de facto majority until the inauguration, when Vice President Al Gore leaves and Vice President-elect Dick Cheney is sworn in. The vice president presides over the Senate and votes only to break a tie.

Tie votes in committees and subcommittees will not keep legislation from reaching the floor, and the parties can hire staffs of equal size.

However, the issue of who will be on conference committees that reconcile Senate and House versions of legislation is still open. If a senator resigns or dies and the 50-50 ratio changes as a result, the power-sharing agreement would be revisited, according to the Post.