Senator Joe Lieberman to chair Homeland Security Committee

RAW STORY
Published: Tuesday November 14, 2006

Senator Joe Lieberman, forced to run as an Independent to win reelection, will be retaining his leadership position in the Democratic Party and become chairman of the Homeland Security Committee, MSNBC is reporting.

Last week a spokesperson for Senator Harry Reid, soon-to-be Majority Leader, said that the Connecticut senator would retain his seniority and become chairman of the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee in 2007.

After meeting with his party colleagues today, Lieberman told the press that he was pleased with the warm reception he received: a standing ovation. Lieberman had faced a tough election battle against challenger Ned Lamont who beat the 2000 vice presidential nominee in the Democratic primary.

"Obviously, I've been changed by the election, so now I'm an independent Democrat, but everybody was very warm and welcomed me back," Lieberman said today. "I look forward to working with them."

During a talk show interview this weekend, Lieberman floated the idea of participating in Republican caucuses if he felt unwelcomed by Democrats. But with Lieberman in a leadership position, the Democratic Party can maintain its 51-49 Senate majority.

Senate Democrats today voted for other leadership posts within the legislative body. The group named Senator Robert Byrd (D-WV) as President Pro Tem, and Dick Durbin (D-IL), former Minority Whip, as Assistant Majority Leader.

Barbara Boxer of California will be Chief Deputy Whip, leading Deputy Whips Thomas Carper, Bill Nelson, and Russ Feingold.

On Thursday, Democrats in the House will meet to choose their new leaders, with most eyes on the race for Majority Leader. Soon-to-be House Speaker Nancy Pelosi has endorsed Rep. John Murtha, even though Congressman Steny Hoyer is in line for the position, and the two Democrats have been lobbying for support from their colleagues.

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Other results:

Charles Schumer, elected Vice Chair of the Conference
Patty Murray, elected Secretary of the Conference
Charles E. Schumer, elected Chairman of Campaign Committee
Byron L. Dorgan, elected Chairman of Policy Committee
Debbie Stabenow, elected Chair of Steering and Outreach Committee
Jeff Bingaman, elected Chairman of Committee Outreach
Hillary Rodham Clinton, elected Vice Chair of Committee Outreach
Blanche L. Lincoln, elected Chair of Rural Outreach

Committee Chairs

Agriculture: Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa
Appropriations: Sen. Robert Byrd, D-West Virginia
Armed Services: Sen. Carl Levin, D-Michigan
Banking: Sen. Chris Dodd, D-Connecticut
Commerce: Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii
Energy: Sen. Jeff Bingaman, D-New Mexico
Environment Public Works: Sen. Barbara Boxer, D-California
Finance: Sen. Max Baucus, D-Montana
Foreign Relations: Sen. Joe Biden, D-Delaware
Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions: Sen. Edward Kennedy, D-Massachusetts
Homeland and Government Affairs: Sen. Joe Lieberman, I-Connecticut
Judiciary: Sen. Patrick Leahy, D-Vermont
Intelligence: Sen. Jay Rockefeller, D-West Virginia
Budget: Sen. Kent Conrad, D-North Dakota
Aging: Sen. Herb Kohl, D-Wisconsin
Veterans: Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawaii
Small Business: Sen. John Kerry, D-Massachusetts
Rules: Sen. Diane Feinstein, D-California
Joint Economic: Sen. Charles Schumer, D-New York
Indian Affairs: Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-North Dakota