Litigation

Sessions to Replace Specter as Ranking Member on Judiciary

By Jason Barrett

The GOP has selected Sen. Jeff Sessions of Alabama to serve temporarily as the Ranking Member on the Senate Judiciary Committee, according to Capitol Hill newspaper The Hill.

Sen. Sessions replaces Republican-turned-Democrat Sen. Arlen Specter as the highest ranking Republican on the committee.  The move will only remain effective, however, for the remainder of this Congress.  When Congress returns for the 112th Session, Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa will be placed permanently in the spot.

With the looming confirmation hearings for retiring Supreme Court Justice David Souter’s successor, it was important for Republicans to fill the seat as quickly as possible.  The move allows Republicans to have a sharp legal mind leading the charge in a possibly contentious confirmation process while allowing Sen. Grassley to maintain his key position on the Finance Committee, which is likely to see a heated debate over health care reform this year.

Full post as published by The Gavel on May 06, 2009 (boomark / email).