Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

By John Mulligan
Journal Washington Bureau

WASHINGTON -- The Senate Democrats of the incoming Congress voted overwhelmingly this morning to permit independent Sen. Joseph I. Lieberman to remain in the party's caucus, despite his aggressive campaigning for the Republican presidential nominee, Sen. John McCain of Arizona.

But the former Democrat from Connecticut was sanctioned for his role in the campaign. Although he will remain chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, Lieberman was dismissed from the Environment and Public Works Committee and lost an influential subcommittee chairmanship on that panel.

In addition, the Democratic leadership resolution dealing with Lieberman's status contained a formal statement of the party's disapproval of his work on behalf of the Republican ticket.

"This is the beginning of a new chapter," Lieberman told reporters after the Democratic caucus for the 111th Congress voted 42 to 13 to welcome him back into the fold.

Rhode Island Sens. Jack Reed and Sheldon Whitehouse both supported the majority resolution in a closed-door meeting of the caucus.

Whitehouse said that Lieberman's record is one of support for the Democratic leadership positions "frankly, on every issue" with the large exception of his support for President Bush's position on the war in Iraq.

Reed said one of the most important factors in this morning's action by the Senate Democratic caucus was the guidance of its most illustrious alumnus, President-elect Barack Obama.

Obama's admonition that Democrats "begin this new Congress in a spirit of cooperation, not confrontation" was the basis of this morning's action, Reed said.

Reed and Whitehouse declined to say whether Lieberman offered any words of contrition when he addressed the caucus this morning.

"It was more about a strong commitment" in support of the Obama administration and the Senate majority leadership in the future, Reed said.

 Tags  Congress Democrats Lieberman politics sanction Washington

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