Patty Murray will resign as her assistant Democratic leader, as she prepares for the takeover of the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee. She also intends to enter the presidential succession.
After a win by 15 points, the Washington State senator will assume two of the most important jobs in the chamber next year: writing the nation’s spending bills, and taking the title of president protempore, a constitutionally granted title that is given to the longest-serving senator of the majority party.
Murray won’t be applying for the No. 1 spot because she has so much on her plate. According to her office, Murray will not seek the No. 3 position as leader of the caucus — which could open up a leadership spot for another Democrat.
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer selects a lot of the Democratic leadership team. There has been no decision about whether he will fill the vacant assistant leader position or make another change. The New Yorker supervises a large number of advisers and the four top leaders frequently appear together at events and press conferences.
This means that there will be fierce competition for leadership positions, often with more staff and better office space. Dec. 8 is the date for party leadership elections.
Murray will now have plenty of budget to work with. Schumer announced that he would nominate Murray as president pro tempore to replace the retiring Sen. Patrick Leahy. The Senate pro-tem position comes with a large security detail as well as prime office space on Capitol’s first floor.
Technically, Sen. Dianne Frankstein (D.Calif.), is next in line for pro tempore employment.
Murray’s new position is not only important, but her perch at the Appropriations Committee commands a significant footprint in the Capitol. Murray and Susan Collins, expected ranking member (Republican from Maine), will be responsible for directing hundreds billions of dollars each year next Congress with their House counterparts, Reps. Kaygranger and Rosa DeLauro.
Anali Alegria, a Murray spokesperson, stated that Senator Murray would “continue to do what she’s done throughout her career: put working families first.” “She will continue to be focused on key issues such as child care, and push for investments in women’s health, education. workforce training. mental health care. veterans’ care, and so forth.”
Murray was promoted to the role of assistant Democratic leader at 2016’s end, the last time that the caucus leadership was reshuffled. Murray was promoted to her assistant Democratic leader position when Schumer became party leader. Murray was considering a challenge from Sen. Dick Durbin, but ultimately accepted the assistant lead job.
The current hierarchy places Sen. Debbie Stannow at the top. As chair of the party’s communications and policy committee, she is also the fourth Democratic leader. She is also the chair of the Agriculture Committee.
Durbin, who is also the chair of the Judiciary Committee will run for the No. 2 slot. Murray commented on Murray’s new roles. He said that being president pro tempore and chair of the Appropriations Committee is a “good combo.”
Murray’s decision could prevent another intra-caucus dispute over seniority or concentration of plum committee assignments. After Durbin’s bid for both Judiciary as whip, Senate Democrats amended their internal caucus rules.
Durbin was allowed to hold both positions by the caucus, but he also gave up his top spot on the appropriations subpanel. During the debate, the caucus adopted a proposal to allow more junior members to hold subcommittee gavels.
