JAMES M. JEFFORDS - AUTOGRAPH LETTER SIGNED 12/05/1999 - HFSID 265970

JAMES M. JEFFORDS
Signed letter from the politician who singlehandedly gave the democrats control of the state for seven months!
Autograph letter signed: "Jim", 1p, 6¼x4¼. [Washington], 1999 December 5. On his personal card embossed at upper left with gilt senate seal, imprinted "Jim Jeffords/U.S. Senator-Vermont" at upper right. In full: "Dear Pat, Thanks so much for all your efforts this past year with our work incentives legislation. Good policy and persistence does pay off! Thank you." On June 16, 1999, the Senate passed the Work Incentives Improvement Act by a vote of 99-0; Senator Tom Harkin was out of the country. The bill's primary co-sponsors were Senators JEFFORDS (1934-2014), MOYNIHAN, Ted Kennedy and Bill Roth. The bill included new tax credits, services and expanded health benefits for workers with disabilities. After serving as a Republican Congressman from Vermont from 1975-1989 and a Republican Senator from Vermont since 1989, Jim Jeffords switched his party affiliation to Independent on June 6, 2001. Before that date, the U.S. Senate was equally divided: 50 Republicans, 50 Democrats. In case of a tie, the President of the Senate (Vice President of the United States), in this case Republican V.P. Dick Cheney, would cast the tie-breaking vote. All Senate committee chairmen were Republicans. With Jeffords' switch, there were 50 Democrats, 49 Republicans and 1 Independent. All Senate committee chairmen became Democrats and Senate Majority Leader Trent Lott (R-MS) and Senate Minority Leader Tom Daschle (D-SD) switched jobs. The Republicans regained control of the Senate after the 2002 elections, which resulted in 51 Republicans, 48 Democrats and 1 Independent. Jeffords did not seek re-election in 2006, replaced by another independent (Bernard Sanders), as the Democrats again recaptured the narrowly divided chamber. Ink note (unknown hand) on top right corner. Corners slightly worn. Fine condition.