What happens if there's no party with a US Senate majority?

Question

Because the GOP hold the White House, they need 50 Senators for a majority; the Dems need 51. We can assume that Lieberman will sit as a Dem, but Bernie Sanders, who has been an Independent for over 20 years, isn't likely to. As a result, the Senate totals may end up at 50 Democrat, 49 GOP, and 1 Independent - denying anybody a majority.

What happens in a situation like this? Does whomever eventually controls the Senate have to settle for the title 'Senate Plurality Leader'? Has it ever happened before?

NB: This is a hypothetical question that assumes that neither the Democrats get 51 nor the Republicans 50 - and that at least one of the Independents chooses not to sit with either caucus.

Answer 1

Per your additional comments:

I can't imagine circumstances under which that would take place. Given what's at stake, it's inconceivable that anyone would willingly absent himself from the leadsership vote. It's committing political suicide.

But, what the heck, IF it were to happen, whoever received the plurality would form the leadership. Technically, I suppose, you're right, we couldn't call him/her "Majority Leader."

And absolutely no -- it has never happened before. Not in the House or Senate. The leadership vote solidifies control of the chamber. But more than that -- before the leadership vote is even cast -- all members of both groups meet to divvy up the all important committee seats. All seats are apportioned on the basis of party strength. This is the reason independents MUST choose sides. If they don't, they don't get a committee assignment worth having. And since a member's name is made by his/her committee assignments, the process forces independents to make a choice during the caucus. That choice having been made, the person is required to back that party in all leadership challenges -- no questions asked.

So you see, we can hypothetically discuss the possibility of a genuinely aloof Independent; but in practical terms (which is to say, in "political" terms) it's genuinely impossible to make work.

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There will be two Independents in this Senate: Lieberman from Connecticut and Sanders from Vermont. Both will caucus with the Democrats. Sanders is a socialist, and caucused with the Democrats in the House for ages. He's already on record as stating he'll caucus with the Democrats

In the event of a fifty/fifty split, the leadership will be decided by the Vice-President who is permitted to break all tie votes. A 50/50 Senate will mean the Republicans will control (since Vice President Cheney is a Republican). The Democrats currently have 49 seats (including the two independents), and need both Montana and Virginia to go their way. It's the only way they'll get 51 seats.

If either of those two seats breaks for the Republicans, they will continue to hold onto the Senate.

Answer 2

The Vice-President gets to cast a tie breaking vote. I'm sure you find the image of **** Cheney smirking reassuring.

Answer 3

Gee i didn't realxe i could learn something new on american politics, good question.