Harkin to take the helm of Senate health committee

The Associated Press: "Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says that Sen. Tom Harkin — a progressive liberal and ardent supporter of President Barack Obama's plan to create a public insurance plan — will take over the health and education committee." Sen. Christopher Dodd, who was next in line to become chairman of the health panel after Sen. Ted Kennedy's death last month, turned down the panel's chairmanship so he could remain head of the banking committee (Flaherty, 9/9).

Politico: "Dodd scored something of a two-for-one deal with his decision. He says he will finish the job he started for Kennedy last winter when he acted as the ailing senator's stand-in on the Health committee, and continue to shepherd the panel's health care legislation through the Senate." But he also said, regarding his decision to stay on as the Banking Committee Chair, "The major reform efforts of financial regulation are in front of us, and I want to get that job done" (McGrane, 9/9).