Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont said Thursday he would switch parties, from Republican to Independent, shifting the balance of power in the Senate to the Democrats.
Several Senate committee chairmen would change as a result, including the Senate Commerce Committee, which oversees media and telephony regulation.
Sen. John McCain, R-Ariz., chairman since 1994, when Republicans gained control of the Senate, would lose the chair to ranking Democrat Sen. Ernest Hollings, S.C.
The changes would take effect after President George W. Bush signs a tax-cut into law.
Jeffords Party Switch Shakes Up Senate
Jeffords Party Switch Shakes Up Senate
