Sen. John McCain is expected to become the next chairman of the Armed Services Committee. McCain is a vocal critic of President Obama for being too soft on foreign policy. If he assumes the position, he will likely push for ground troops in Syria and Iraq in an effort to defeat ISIS.
Sen. John McCain —
Sen. John McCain is expected to become the next chairman of the Armed Services Committee. McCain is a vocal critic of President Obama for being too soft on foreign policy. If he assumes the position, he will likely push for ground troops in Syria and Iraq in an effort to defeat ISIS.
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Sen. Thad Cochran is in line to become chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The Mississippi Republican will have major influence over government funding as he oversees 13 spending bills for the next fiscal year.
Sen. Thad Cochran —
Sen. Thad Cochran is in line to become chairman of the Appropriations Committee. The Mississippi Republican will have major influence over government funding as he oversees 13 spending bills for the next fiscal year.
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Sen. Jeff Sessions is next in line to chair the Budget Committee. The Alabama senator is a budget hawk who is interested in cutting government spending and waste.
Sen. Jeff Sessions —
Sen. Jeff Sessions is next in line to chair the Budget Committee. The Alabama senator is a budget hawk who is interested in cutting government spending and waste.
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Sen. John Thune is set to chair the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. He would focus on business and trade legislation and oversight.
Sen. John Thune —
Sen. John Thune is set to chair the Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. He would focus on business and trade legislation and oversight.
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Sen. Lisa Murkowski would lead Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She is expected to push to lift the ban on exporting crude oil and build support for the Keystone XL Pipeline.
Sen. Lisa Murkowski —
Sen. Lisa Murkowski would lead Energy and Natural Resources Committee. She is expected to push to lift the ban on exporting crude oil and build support for the Keystone XL Pipeline.
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Sen. Jim Inhofe is in position to head the Environment and Public Works Committee. The Oklahoma Republican has voiced his skepticism against climate change claims, calling it "the most-media hyped environmental issue."
Sen. Jim Inhofe —
Sen. Jim Inhofe is in position to head the Environment and Public Works Committee. The Oklahoma Republican has voiced his skepticism against climate change claims, calling it "the most-media hyped environmental issue."
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Sen. Orrin Hatch will lead the powerful tax-writing Finance Committee during a year many senators are clamoring to overhaul the tax code. He also has major influence on the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Social Security.
Sen. Orrin Hatch —
Sen. Orrin Hatch will lead the powerful tax-writing Finance Committee during a year many senators are clamoring to overhaul the tax code. He also has major influence on the Affordable Care Act and Medicare and Social Security.
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Sen. Bob Corker will head the Foreign Relations Committee. He's been a chief critic of the White House on Syria and Iran but has also shown a willingness to work with President Obama.
Sen. Bob Corker —
Sen. Bob Corker will head the Foreign Relations Committee. He's been a chief critic of the White House on Syria and Iran but has also shown a willingness to work with President Obama.
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Sen. Ron Johnson will lead the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. A critic of the administration's handling of Benghazi, the Wisconsin Republican is likely to conduct another investigation.
Sen. Ron Johnson —
Sen. Ron Johnson will lead the Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee. A critic of the administration's handling of Benghazi, the Wisconsin Republican is likely to conduct another investigation.
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Sen. Lamar Alexander is set to be the next chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee. He is a proponent for education reform and would likely push to decrease government intervention in state education systems.
Sen. Lamar Alexander —
Sen. Lamar Alexander is set to be the next chairman of the Health, Education, Labor and Pension Committee. He is a proponent for education reform and would likely push to decrease government intervention in state education systems.
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Sen. Chuck Grassley will become the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee. If Obama waits until next year to nominate a new attorney general, Grassley would play a key role in the confirmation process.
Sen. Chuck Grassley —
Sen. Chuck Grassley will become the next chairman of the Judiciary Committee. If Obama waits until next year to nominate a new attorney general, Grassley would play a key role in the confirmation process.
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Sen. Richard Burr is a likely candidate for two chairmanship positions. He is currently the ranking member of the Veteran Affairs Committee, but is also the next in line to chair the Intelligence Committee and has expressed interest in that panel. He has yet to decide which post he will take.
Sen. Richard Burr —
Sen. Richard Burr is a likely candidate for two chairmanship positions. He is currently the ranking member of the Veteran Affairs Committee, but is also the next in line to chair the Intelligence Committee and has expressed interest in that panel. He has yet to decide which post he will take.
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If Sen. Burr does not accept the Veteran Affairs Committee chairmanship, Sen. Johnny Isakson is rumored to take up the gavel. The Georgian has served on the committee since 2011.
Sen. Johnny Isakson —
If Sen. Burr does not accept the Veteran Affairs Committee chairmanship, Sen. Johnny Isakson is rumored to take up the gavel. The Georgian has served on the committee since 2011.
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Sen. James Risch will likely lead the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. If Sen. Burr decides not to chair the Intelligence Committee, the Idaho Republican would be the next in line.
Sen. James Risch —
Sen. James Risch will likely lead the Small Business and Entrepreneurship Committee. If Sen. Burr decides not to chair the Intelligence Committee, the Idaho Republican would be the next in line.
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Sen. Richard Shelby will become the chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, a position he held from 2003 to 2007. He is a critic of the Dodd-Frank Act.
Sen. Richard Shelby —
Sen. Richard Shelby will become the chairman of the Banking, Housing and Urban Affairs Committee, a position he held from 2003 to 2007. He is a critic of the Dodd-Frank Act.
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