[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 147 (2001), Part 7]
[Senate]
[Page 9822]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]



                           LETTER OF DECISION

  Mr. DASCHLE. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the 
following letter, which I received from Senator Jeffords this week, be 
printed in the Record.
  There being no objection, the letter was ordered to be printed in the 
Record, as follows:

                                                  U.S. Senate,

                                     Washington, DC, May 24, 2001.
     Hon. Thomas Daschle,
     Democratic Leader,
     Capitol, Washington, DC.
       Dear Senator Daschle: I am writing to you, Vice President 
     Cheney and Senator Lott, to inform you of my decision to 
     become an Independent and caucus with the Senate's Democrats 
     for organizational purposes once the conference report to 
     accompany H.R. 1836 is transmitted to President George Bush 
     for his signature.
       My change in affiliation is to become effective at the 
     close of business on either the first day of session 
     following the upcoming Memorial Day recess, or the close of 
     business on the date of such transmittal, whichever occurs 
     later. I hope it will assist the Senate if the recess is 
     available to the Leaders to discuss and decide the numerous 
     transition issues the Senate will face.
           Sincerely,
                                                James M. Jeffords,
     U.S. Senator.

                          ____________________