Lieberman likely to keep chairmanship

WASHINGTON, Nov. 18 (UPI) -- U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman, Ind-Conn., Tuesday avoided loss of his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee.

The Hill reports Senate Democrats voted 42-13 against severely punishing Lieberman for his support of Republican John McCain during the presidential campaign. The former Democrat instead will lose his chairmanship of a global warming subcommittee, part of the Environment and Public Works Committee.

After President-elect Barack Obama said he didn't hold a grudge against Lieberman, Senate Democratic leader Harry Reid of Nevada noted Lieberman votes with the party most of the time. Reid initially took a tougher stand on Lieberman's fate in the Senate Democratic leadership.

"Joe Lieberman votes with me a lot more than a lot of my senators," Reid told Politico. "He didn't support us on military stuff and he didn't support us on Iraq stuff. But you look at his record, it's pretty good."

Some other caucus members said they were unhappy with Lieberman's actions and the party's apparent response. Sens. Patrick Leahy, D-Vt., and Bernie Sanders, Ind-Vt., issued statements last week calling for Lieberman to be stripped of his chairmanship. Sen. Byron Dorgan, D-N.D., said Lieberman's behavior was "unacceptable."