Conservative firebrands set to chair key Senate committees in new Congress

Three Republican senators with a history as rabble-rousers are poised for the first time in their careers to chair major committees when the new Senate convenes in January.

Three Republican senators with a history as rabble-rousers are poised for the first time in their careers to chair major committees when the new Senate convenes in January. Texas Sen. Ted Cruz is in line to lead the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, where he is currently the ranking Republican. Sen. Mike Lee of Utah is expected to head the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, according to an aide. And Sen. Rand Paul of Kentucky is in line to chair the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. The musical chairs of the committee shakeups are all part of the transition as Republicans regain control of the Senate after four years in the minority and Republican senators scramble to assume coveted spots atop the committees. The most high-profile leadership change will take place next week when Republicans pick a successor to Sen. Mitch McConnell as Senate GOP leader. But the leaders of the chamber’s committees will have significant power to influence sweeping policy. Cruz, Lee and Paul have often railed against Senate GOP leadership — and committee chairs — over government funding, deficit spending and other hot-button issues. Now, while still vocal on those topics, they have risen in the ranks of seniority and are more seasoned. They’ll have significant influence to impact policy making, nominations and usher through pet projects. Cruz’s assent to the commerce committee would place him in a position to help run the confirmations of the secretaries of Transportation and Commerce, as well as approve more than 100 Senate-confirmed positions. This year, as the ranking member, Cruz worked to approve a far-reaching FAA bill that won him plaudits for working across the aisle to shape and pass the bill.