Senate leaders reach power-sharing deal allowing Democrats to head committees
The Senate has been evenly divided only three times before: in 1881, 1953 and 2001
03 February 2021 - 18:07
Washington — Senate majority leader Chuck Schumer said on Wednesday he had reached a two-year power-sharing deal with GOP leader Mitch McConnell formally giving Democrats committee chairs and setting other ground rules, allowing the chamber to begin fully functioning after weeks of procedural limbo.
The agreement is based on a 2001 deal reached the last time the 100-member chamber was divided 50-50. That set-up allowed for the same number of Republicans and Democrats on committees, though Democrats controlled committee gavels and the majority leader set the agenda on the floor...
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