Rep. Tauzin Said to Be Considering a Switch to GOP
Louisiana Rep. W. J. (Billy) Tauzin, a conservative Democrat serving his eighth term in the House, is expected to switch to the Republican Party this weekend, congressional sources said Friday.
Tauzin would join four other Democratic lawmakers who have made the move to the GOP since last fall’s election, two in the House and two more in the Senate. Several lawmakers, speaking on condition of anonymity, said he had talked with them in recent days of his intentions to change parties.
A move by Tauzin, 52, would leave the House Republicans with 233 seats and Democrats with 201. The House has one independent.
Others members of Congress who have switched from the Democratic to Republican Party this year include Sens. Richard C. Shelby of Alabama and Ben Nighthorse Campbell of Colorado and Reps. Nathan Deal of Georgia and Greg Laughlin of Texas.
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