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Thursday, Dec. 14, 2006

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WASHINGTON -- The last time the Senate convened with a perfect balance of 50 Republicans and 50 Democrats, the two parties struck a power-sharing agreement.

Republicans got control of the Senate, but gave Democrats equal representation on the committees that drive the legislative machinery.

Six years later, with Democrats poised to take power with a 51-49 edge in the incoming Senate, the possibility of another evenly divided chamber hovered over the Capitol Thursday as Democratic Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota recovered from brain surgery.

If Johnson is unable to serve, South Dakota Gov. Michael Rounds, a Republican, would appoint someone to fill his vacated seat. A Republican appointment would split the Senate anew, giving Vice President Dick Cheney the tie-breaking role and handing control of the chamber to Republicans.

In 2000, when the elections left the Senate in such a tie, Republican Leader Trent Lott of Mississippi and Democratic Leader Tom Daschle of South Dakota struck a unique deal that many Democrats say serves as a model for future evenly divided Senates.

Under that agreement, the parties split their representation on committees evenly. Committee staff positions and funding were also split equally. Republicans chose the committee chairmen and controlled the agenda on the Senate floor.

Democrats began courting Sen. Jim Jeffords, a liberal leaning Vermont Republican, to switch parties. In June of 2001, he became an Independent who chose to caucus with Democrats, a move that shifted the balance of power and made Daschle majority leader.

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A new 50-50 Senate would likely renew efforts by both parties to get a senator to cross over. A likely target of such entreaties would be Sen. Joe Lieberman of Connecticut, a moderate Democrat who won re-election this year as an Independent.

© 2006 Associated Press. All Rights Reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.

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