Free Republic

WASHINGTON — Sen. James Jeffords this week is expected to introduce the last major piece of legislation in his 40-year political career. The bill, if it becomes law, would slash America’s greenhouse gas emissions by more than half over the next 50 years, making it one of the most aggressive environmental measures in recent history. But when he introduces the legislation into the Congressional Record, he will do so with remarks prepared by his speech writers about a bill written, researched and crafted by two key policy advisers, and he will probably not answer reporters’ questions about it without an...

(Washington - AP) — US Senator Jim Jeffords says he will oppose the nomination of Samuel Alito to the US Supreme Court. Jeffords says that while he believes Alito is qualified to serve on the court, he does not believe the country would be served by his judicial philosophy. The independent senator says that he does not believe Alito fully appreciates the limits on the power of the presidency.

MONTPELIER, Vt. (AP) - Vermont Sen. Jim Jeffords, an independent who triggered one of the most dramatic upheavals in Senate history when he quit the GOP four years ago, intends to retire at the end of his term next year, The Associated Press learned Wednesday.Jeffords will make the announcement Wednesday afternoon in Burlington, multiple sources in Vermont and Washington told The Associated Press. They spoke on condition of anonymity.No calls to Jeffords' press secretary or staff were returned Wednesday morning.Jeffords, 70, has been adamant in saying he will seek re-election, but there have been increasing concerns voiced about his health...

Does anyone out there remember Piels beer?  Bob McAllister’s Wonderama or Quisp cereal?  How about Mutual of Omaha’s “Wild Kingdom” nature show and K-Tel records?  Surely, a few of you remember some, if not all, of these once-popular and everyday elements that were once considered by most as indisputable props of Americana. But do you remember the senator from Vermont, Jim Jeffords?

<p>WASHINGTON -- Senator James Jeffords criticized President Bush's tax cut proposal yesterday, saying the debate reminded him of two years ago when he decided to leave the Republican Party. ''Millions of Americans need help,'' the Vermont Independent said in the Democratic Party's weekly radio address. ''Yet, the president insists on a tax cut that hurts those who need help most, and helps those who need it least.''</p>

Sen. Jim Jeffords sat between Sens. Kerry and Shumer. Hard to spot in this photo of the moment when Speaker Hastert introduced the President. Look to the far right of the photo, three rows back. Kerry is turned to his left, and is talking to Sen. Chris Dodd (full head of white hair). Jeffords is to Kerry's right. He did not clap at that moment, or at any time that it was possible to notice when the camera swung that way. He sat through most of the speech, seldom getting up. Yahoo caption: President Bush is applauded on Capitol Hill...

<p>James Jeffords surely must be the loneliest senator on Capitol Hill. Just six months after the Republican leadership pulled out all the stops to get the Vermonter re-elected in 2000 — including all but sacrificing the political career of his colleague, Minnesota's Rod Grams — Mr. Jeffords bolted the GOP, claiming he no longer felt at home there. It was, as the titles to his two subsequent books made abundantly clear, his "Declaration of Independence."</p>

Democrats Preparing to Block Reorganization if Carnahan Falls By Mark Preston Senate Democrats are prepared to bring legislative activity to a screeching halt in a lame-duck session if Sen. Jean Carnahan (D-Mo.) is defeated in November, an outcome that would temporarily give Republicans control of the chamber before the 108th Congress is sworn in. Democrats have already mapped out a strategy to defend against a quick takeover by the GOP during a lame duck if former Rep. Jim Talent (R-Mo.) defeats Carnahan in the midterm elections, several sources said. "By God, if Republicans think we are going to roll over...