Dodd to stay put as Senate banking chair

WASHINGTON, Sept. 10 (UPI) -- Sen. Christopher Dodd, D-Conn., decided to remain chairman of the Senate Banking Committee, bypassing the chance to take over the chamber's health committee.

Dodd's decision, announced Wednesday, paves the way for Sen. Tom Harkin, D-Iowa, to lead the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions, The Washington Post reported Thursday. Harkin was next in line to assume the HELP chairmanship after Dodd.

"We have important work to do on the Banking Committee, and I intend to see it through as chairman," Dodd said in a statement. "The Banking Committee is of vital importance to Connecticut, responsible for issues central to the economic security and prosperity of the people of my state."

The health committee was led by Dodd's friend and mentor, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy, D-Mass., who died last month after battling brain cancer for more than a year.

Harkin currently is head of the Agriculture Committee and will give up that position to assume the health committee chairmanship. The agriculture panel will be led by Sen. Blanche Lincoln, D-Ark. Sens. Patrick J. Leahy of Vermont, Kent Conrad of North Dakota and Max Baucus of Montana have more committee seniority than Lincoln, but lead the Judiciary, Budget and Finance committees, respectively.