Tuesday, December 16, 2008

Reid Announces Senate Committee Chairmanships For 111th Congress

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-NV) yesterday announced his recommendations to the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee regarding committee chairmanships for the 111th Congress.

“I am pleased to recommend these capable men and women to chair the Senate’s Committees during the 111th Congress," said Reid on Monday. "We have much work to do and many challenges facing our nation. I know that these Senators will be able to deliver on the change that the American people have called for to help move our country in the right direction.”

Here's the list of anticipated Chairmanships for the 111th Congress.

Change in Chairmanship
  • Daniel Inouye (D-HI), Chairman, Senate Committee on Appropriations; Replaces Robert Byrd (D-WV), who resigned his chairmanship.
  • Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), Chairman, Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Was Inouye, who becomes chair of the Appropriations Committee.
  • John Kerry (D-MA), Chairman, Senate Committee on Foreign Relations; Upon the resignation of Joe Biden (D-DE).
  • Dianne Feinstein (D-CA), Chairwoman, Senate Intelligence Committee; Was Rockefeller, who will now chair the Commerce Committee.
  • Charles Schumer (D-NY), Chairman, Senate Committee on Rules and Administration; Was Feinstein, who will now chair the Intelligence Committee.
  • Mary Landrieu (D-LA), Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Small Business and Entrepreneurship; Was Kerry, who will now be chairman of the Foreign Relations Committee.

No Change in Chairmanship
  • Herb Kohl (D-WI), Chairman, Senate Special Committee on Aging
  • Tom Harkin (D-IA), Chairman, Senate Committee on Agriculture
  • Carl Levin (D-MI), Chairman, Senate Committee on Armed Services
  • Christopher Dodd (D-CT), Chairman, Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs
  • Kent Conrad (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Committee on Budget
  • Jeff Bingaman (D-NM), Chairman, Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources
  • Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Chairwoman, Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works
  • Max Baucus (D-MT), Chairman, Senate Committee on Finance
  • Edward Kennedy (D-MA), Chairman, Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions
  • Joseph Lieberman (I-CT), Chairman, Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
  • Byron Dorgan (D-ND), Chairman, Senate Committee on Indian Affairs
  • Patrick Leahy (D-VT), Chairman, Senate Committee on Judiciary
  • Daniel Akaka (D-HI), Chairman, Senate Committee on Veterans Affairs
Final approval will be ratified with an Organizing Resolution when the Senate returns to session in January 2009, but it is highly unlikely that this roster will change.