Projo 7 to 7 News Blog

WASHINGTON -- A number of news outlets are reporting Wednesday that Connecticut Sen. Christopher J. Dodd will continue as chairman of the Senate Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, a development that would close off any prospect for Rhode Island Sen. Jack Reed to take the job.

Sen. Edward M. Kennedy's recent death gave rise to much speculation about who would take his chair on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee. Dodd, the second-ranking Democrat, had stood in for Kennedy on the health panel for much of the past year, leading the drafting this summer of one of several bills that would overhaul the U.S. medical system.

If Dodd opted to take over the health committee on a permanent basis, he would leave open the banking chairmanship, according to a popular line of speculation -- that raised the question of whether the second Democrat in line, Sen. Tim Johnson of South Dakota, would elect to take the gavel on the banking committee. Recent reporting has suggested that he would, despite the fact that he still suffers some ill effects of a brain aneurism that threatened his life in 2006.

But all the questions about shifts on the banking panel will become moot Wednesday, according to published reports that have Dodd preparing to announce plans to stay put as chairman. Now the spotlight is on Sen. Tom Harkin, the Iowa Democrat next in line to claim the chairmanship of the health committee. Reed also sits on the health panel but ranks several slots behind Harkin on the seniority ladder.

As third-ranking member of the banking committee and chairman of its securities subcommittee, Reed -- who has declined to comment about possible changes in these key Senate assignments -- will doubtless remain busy with financial issues facing the Senate this year.

 Tags  banking Dodd health Johnson politics Reed Washington

Comments

George said:

Dood needs this chairmanship or he would not longer be able to negotiate those good deal low rate loans.

Link | September 9, 2009 3:19 PM
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