Sen. Leahy won’t head Appropriations Committee

[Mass]

http://www.salon.com/2012/12/19/sen_leahy_wont_head_appropriations_committee/

WASHINGTON (AP) — Democratic Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont says he will not take over as chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee, a spot that opened up this week with the death of Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye (ih-NOH’-way).

Leahy said in a statement Wednesday that he has chosen to remain as chairman of the Judiciary Committee. He says staying in that position while maintaining his seniority on Appropriations “will allow me to protect both the Constitution and Vermont.”

With Inouye’s death, Leahy has taken over as president pro tempore of the Senate, a position that puts him third in the line of presidential succession.

That largely symbolic post usually goes to the member of the majority party with the most seniority. Leahy was elected in 1974 and is in his seventh term.

I wonder who's next in line.

[unblock]

1. if you're talking presidential succession, i believe it goes next to the secretary of state.

if you're talking the appropriations chair, i'm afraid i'm not up on the ins and outs of senate seniority....

[ananda]

4. After Biden, the next in line is the Speaker of the House.

..

[unblock]

6. right, i meant after president pro tempore

[Mass]

5. No, next in line to be chairman of the Appropriation Committee

[dsc]

2. that is a major pass

and the nation owes him a debt on this.

[dsc]

3. I looked

and get ready for it, Harkin. Fantastic. Can't believe he won't take it.

[cali]

7. Judiciary is his passion

[dsc]

9. I am still amazed he passed on appropriations

and I will say the nation owes him big on this. Vermont is giving up a major opportunity to behave like WV did. When he gets to put in two or three SCOTUS justices under Obama the nation should be hugely grateful.

[Mass]

8. That would be great.

But, if he decided to stay chair of the HELP Committee, the next us Milkuski, I think.

[pinboy3niner]

10. Leahy says the new Appropriations chair will be Barbara Mikulski

Mikulski to head Appropriations, senator says
http://news.yahoo.com/mikulski-head-appropriations-senator-says-231421713--politics.html