Senate won't change if Gregg leaves: McConnell

By Andy Sullivan

WASHINGTON (Reuters) - Democrats would not increase their margin of control in the Senate if New Hampshire Republican Sen. Judd Gregg leaves to serve as commerce secretary, Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell said on Sunday.

"Senator Gregg has told me that if he were to take this appointment, it would not alter the makeup of the Senate in terms of the majority and the minority," McConnell, a Kentucky Republican, said on CBS's "Face the Nation."

Gregg has emerged as Democratic President Barack Obama's top candidate for commerce secretary and could be named as early as Monday.

McConnell's comments suggested that a deal had been struck to ensure that New Hampshire's Democratic governor, John Lynch, would not name a Democrat as Gregg's replacement.

Democrats currently control 58 seats in the Senate and are leading in one other undecided race, just short of the 60 seats needed to clear Republican procedural hurdles.

Democrats could pass legislation much more easily if they were to reach that benchmark because they also enjoy a wide margin in the House of Representatives.

"Whoever is appointed to replace him would caucus with Senate Republicans, so I think it would have no impact on the balance of power in the Senate," McConnell said.

Republicans in the Senate believe that Gregg would not accept the post without a guarantee that he would be replaced by a member of his own party, a Republican aide said on the condition of anonymity.  Continued...