Reply #18: Control is decided by a straight vote at reorganization time.

[Pab Sungenis]

The independents can choose to caucus with whichever party they choose. Bernie Sanders has a history of caucusing with the Democrats in voting for Speaker and for control of the House, and we have every reason to believe he will continue to do so in the Senate.

Remember the Senate of 2000. On January 3, 50 Republicans voted to give themselves control and 50 Democrats voted the opposite way. Gore broke the tie to give Democrats temporary control and a power-sharing agreement was worked out. The Senate reorganized after Cheney was inaugurated, and he broke the tie in favor of the Republicans but upheld the power sharing. When Jeffords switched to Independent, he caucused with the Democrats and Daschle forced a reorganization vote. 51 votes for Democrats, 49 for Republicans, and we had control for a very short time. Just too bad we did nothing with it.