Lott leaving Hill by end of week

The Clarion-Ledger, 12/19/7

Sen. Trent Lott said Tuesday he will end his 35-year career on Capitol Hill before the end of the week, likely touching off a partisan fight in Mississippi.

Lott indicated his last day likely will coincide with the last day the Senate is in session this year, which could be today. The Senate is rushing to finish business and leave on a three-week holiday break.

By resigning before the end of the year, Lott will be exempt from a new law that requires retiring senators to wait two years before lobbying former colleagues. Instead, Lott will be subject to a “cooling-off” period of only one year.