In a written statement released today, Senator Trent Lott's (Rep.- Miss.) "hair" says it will be stepping down in January. Senator Lott has been embroiled in a bitter controversy since recently shocking the nation by implying that a 61-year-old white man from Mississippi might be racist.

"Senator Lott's recent statements have raised serious concerns in our working relationship and has also raised his body temperature to an unacceptable level," the statement read. Many in Washington question whether Lott will be able to withstand the pressure to resign as he and his closest ally part ways.

The toupee has been overheard recently, openly complaining about the sweaty, and therefore slick, conditions of Lott's scalp in times of high stress and many brightly lit television appearances.

"The hair has been very outspoken in its demand for safe working conditions, it has always been a sticky point between them," says an unnamed Washington insider.

In a rare, candid phone interview the hairpiece also said that the split had to do with Lott's constant disparaging remarks. "I get so mad every time I hear him speak derogatorily about

An artist rendering of McCain with Lott's little helper

'coons'," tells the hair. "I don't think he even realizes that I'm one quarter raccoon."

The piece went on to tell of how for years it has secretly tried to get into the McCain (Sen. Rep.- Ariz.) camp, but the idea was shelved for good after McCain commissioned an artist rendition of the two working together.

"I'd like to replace that terrible rug Rick Santorum (Sen. Rep.- Penn.) is using right now," said the hair of its future, "but I fear I'm too old and outdated. I'm not sure the younger Senators relate to me." It is generally thought that the hair has done well enough financially during it's long career that it can retire comfortably in a two-level hat box in the Florida Keys.