Independent Jeffords dies at 80

Former Sen. Jim Jeffords, whose decision to leave the Republican Party in 2001 and become an independent tilted the Senate to Democratic hands, died on Monday at the age of 80.

Jeffords served as an independent in the Senate for the final five years of his term and caucused with Democrats. By doing so, he made Sen. Tom Daschle (D-S.D.) the Senate’s majority leader during President George W. Bush’s administration. 

{mosads}Before his decision, the Senate was split between 49 Republicans and one independent who conferenced with Republicans, and 50 Democrats. Vice President Dick Cheney broke tie votes. 

After Jeffords’s defection, Democrats had 51 votes. But their majority was short-lived, as Republicans took control of the Senate again after the 2002 midterm election. 

In exchange for changing his party affiliation, Jeffords was named the chairman of the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee.

President Obama hailed Jeffords’s independence in a statement. 

“During his more than 30 years in Washington, Jim never lost the fiercely independent spirit that made Vermonters, and people across America, trust and respect him,” Obama said. “Whatever the issue – whether it was protecting the environment, supporting Americans with disabilities, or whether to authorize the war in Iraq – Jim voted his principles, even if it sometimes meant taking a lonely or unpopular stance.” 

Jeffords was never up for reelection again after he left the GOP. He retired from the Senate in 2006, when he would have been up for reelection. Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) won his Senate seat that year.

“He was an effective champion of education, disability rights, the environment and the arts – and millions of Americans have benefited from his efforts,” Sanders said. “Jim was a friend and he will be sorely missed.”

Jeffords served in Congress for more than 30 years, first in the House for 14 years, and then in the Senate.

“I am so sad to hear of the passing of Former Senator Jim Jeffords and my deepest sympathy goes to his family during this time,” Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) said. “History will remember Senator Jeffords as a courageous man who listened to his conscience, and I will always respect him for doing so.”

He was known as a centrist, and he decided to become an independent after Senate Republicans declined to fund the Individuals With Disabilities Education Act.

“He was a partner in our work for Vermont, and he was a friend,” Sen. Pat Leahy (D-Vt.) said. “He was a Vermonter through and through, drawn to political life to make a difference for our state and nation. Part of his legacy will also stand as an enduring chapter of the Senate’s history.”

A former aide said Jeffords’s health had been declining for a while, according to The Associated Press.

— This article was updated at 2:53 p.m.