Murkowski expresses interest in Senate health committee chair
Sen. Lisa Murkowski said she would welcome the opportunity to lead the Senate health committee if she becomes the most senior Republican on the panel. The position opened after Sen. Bill Cassidy lost his primary last month.
cnbc.comSen. Lisa Murkowski (R-AK) expressed interest in chairing the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions next year. Murkowski told the Washington Examiner on Wednesday that she would welcome the role if she holds the most seniority on the committee. Chairmanships are ordinarily awarded based on seniority.
Background on vacancy Sen.
Bill Cassidy (R-LA) lost his Louisiana primary last month, leaving the chairmanship open for the next Congress. Republicans will select a replacement if they retain a Senate majority. Murkowski currently ranks behind two other Republicans on the panel who already lead separate committees. Conference rules prevent members from holding two gavels at once.
Other contenders Sen.
Roger Marshall (R-KS) has also expressed interest in the post. Marshall sits just below Murkowski in seniority on the committee. The two senators have different backgrounds. Marshall is a physician and has supported Health and Human Services Secretary Robert F.
Kennedy Jr. Murkowski has taken positions closer to Cassidy, who has criticized Kennedy. Murkowski said decisions by the more senior members about whether to keep their current committees will determine who receives the gavel.
