Sen. Tom Harkin (D-IA) will reportedly be taking over the chairmanship of the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee — which was vacated by the death of Ted Kennedy — after Sen. Chris Dodd (D-CT) declined to take the post.
This was a widely-expected move after Dodd turned down the position, as Harkin was next in line in seniority.
Another key development here in the committee shuffle is that Sen. Blanche Lincoln (D-AR) will take over Harkin’s chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee — which could potentially give her a real boost as she goes into a tough re-election fight in 2010. Lincoln would be better positioned to argue that she can advocate for her rural state’s interest.
On the other hand, Lincoln’s move to the Agriculture gavel could also be bad news for climate change legislation.
