Washington ? Dean Barkley said Monday that he would not align with either party when he becomes Minnesota’s interim senator, leaving Democrats in temporary Senate control during a post-election session that President Bush wants used to complete homeland security legislation.

White House and congressional aides, meanwhile, studied a staff-level proposal for ending an impasse over Bush’s proposal to create a Homeland Security Department. Bush has said passage of the plan should be the top priority of the so-called lame-duck session, which starts today.

With pivotal lawmakers yet to sign off on the tentative plan – which was offered by Republicans – major hurdles remain that could extend the long-running dispute over the proposed agency. But the effort underlined just how serious legislators were taking Bush, who insisted last week that Congress not adjourn for the year until it enacts his plan.

The decision by Barkley, an independent, to remain neutral means Senate Majority Leader Tom Daschle, D-S.D., will continue in that post when the Senate convenes today. Daschle will decide what bills the Senate debates until the GOP assumes control – probably later this month with the expected arrival of Republican Jim Talent, who won a special Senate election in Missouri.

Senate Democrats have a 50-49 edge, including their support from the chamber’s other independent, Sen. James Jeffords of Vermont. Had Barkley sat with Republicans, they would have become the majority because Vice President Dick Cheney could vote to break the resulting 50-50 tie.

“I am an independent, the governor who appointed me is an independent, and I believe the best way to serve the people of Minnesota is to remain independent,” Barkley said in a written statement.

Barkley was appointed by independent Minnesota Gov. Jesse Ventura to fill the unexpired term of Sen. Paul Wellstone, D-Minn., who was killed in a plane crash Oct. 25. Ten days later, Republican Norm Coleman was elected to the seat for the new Congress that convenes Jan. 7.