Sen. Trent Lott of Mississippi, the Senate’s No. 2 Republican, plans to resign his seat before the end of the year, congressional and Bush administration officials said Monday.

Lott, 66, scheduled two news conferences in Pascagoula and Jackson later in the day to reveal his plans. According to the officials, who spoke on condition of anonymity ahead of the announcement, Lott intends to resign effective at the end of the year.

No reason for Lott’s resignation was given, but according to a congressional official, there is nothing amiss with Lott’s health. The senator has “other opportunities” he plans to pursue, the official said, without elaborating. Lott was re-elected to a fourth Senate term in 2006.

AP

I am pleased to hear this. Lott has been horrible when it comes to earmark reform and has constantly made justifications as to why he and his porker colleague, Senator Cochran, need them so badly. Governor Barbour will appoint a replacement who will serve until the 2008 election. There is wide speculation that Congressman Chip Pickering will be the anointed successor. Whoever it is, I hope they have a more fiscally responsible agenda than Lott did.