Musical Chairs

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) is expected to take the helm of the Senate Veterans’ Affairs Committee. Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) will chair the Senate Budget Committee. Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and his Democratic caucus won’t likely finalize committee chairmanships until after the Thanksgiving break or as late as January. Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) is the front-runner to replace ranking member Thad Cochran (R-MI) who is term-limited on the SENATE APPROPRIATIONS Committee. Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) announced Wednesday morning that she will remain as Democratic leader, ending speculation over whether she would step aside as the top Democrat in the House. LEADERSHIP ELECTIONS IN GOP HOUSE Republicans did all of their internal voting on Wednesday. Most of the positions were foregone conclusions, as no one was challenging Speaker John Boehner, Majority Leader Eric Cantor, or Majority Whip Kevin McCarthy. The most closely watched election was for the conference chair, which Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (WA) won over Rep. Tom Price (GA). Also, Rep. Lynn Jenkins (KA) was elected as conference vice chair over Rep. Martha Roby (AL). Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan (R-WI) will be the sole House GOP recipient of a waiver allowing him to continue as the top Republican on the committee despite reaching the end of a six-year term limit. Reps. Nita Lowey (D-NY) and Marcy Kaptur (D-OH) are vying to become the ranking Democrat on House Appropriations, while Rep. Hal Rogers (R-KY), will remain chairman.