Red-state Senate Democrats are getting high-profile committee roles next year as the party heads toward a tough 2018 campaign cycle.
Sen. Joe ManchinJoseph (Joe) ManchinTrump administration seeks to use global aid for nuclear projects Shelley Moore Capito wins Senate primary West Virginia Gov. Jim Justice wins GOP gubernatorial primary MORE (D-W.Va.) is joining the Appropriations and the Intelligence committees, according to a breakdown of caucus assignments released by incoming Minority Leader Charles SchumerChuck SchumerOvernight Health Care: US showing signs of retreat in battle against COVID-19 | Regeneron begins clinical trials of potential coronavirus antibody treatment | CMS warns nursing homes against seizing residents’ stimulus checks Schumer requests briefing with White House coronavirus task force as cases rise Schumer on Trump’s tweet about 75-year-old protester: He ‘should go back to hiding in the bunker’ MORE (D-N.Y.).
“It is a privilege to be assigned to the Senate Committee on Appropriations and the Senate Select Committee on Intelligence, as we enter into a new Congress,” Manchin said on Tuesday. “The two committees oversee a range of issues that will help the people of West Virginia and our values.”
Though the Intelligence Committee generally works behind closed doors, the post will put Manchin at the heart of upcoming probes on whether Russia meddled in U.S. elections to help Donald TrumpDonald John TrumpSenate advances public lands bill in late-night vote Warren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Esper orders ‘After Action Review’ of National Guard’s role in protests MORE.
The Appropriations post will give Manchin oversight of taxpayer dollars and additional influence to try to steer some of those funds to his home state.
Manchin added on Tuesday that the two committees paired with his move in 2017 to Senate Democratic leadership means he “will have a greater influence over where our federal dollars are going, and how our country’s intelligence activities and programs keep us safe.”
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Separately, Sen. Claire McCaskillClaire Conner McCaskillMissouri county issues travel advisory for Lake of the Ozarks after Memorial Day parties Senate faces protracted floor fight over judges amid pandemic safety concerns Amash on eyeing presidential bid: ‘Millions of Americans’ want someone other than Trump, Biden MORE (Mo.) will take the top Democratic spot on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee, giving her broad sway on government oversight and the Department of Homeland Security.
“Missourians expect me to fight for them — to make their families and communities more secure, and to strengthen accountability in government,” McCaskill said. “That’s been the bread and butter of my work in the Senate. And these assignments will give me a strong platform to keep fighting for the state I love.”
She will also join the Finance Committee as lawmakers prepare to take another stab at tax reform in 2017.
Sen. Tim KaineTimothy (Tim) Michael KaineWarren, Democrats urge Trump to back down from veto threat over changing Confederate-named bases Senate panel passes amendment to bar using troops against protesters Defense bill turns into proxy battle over Floyd protests MORE (D-Va.), who is also up for reelection in 2018, will join the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee.
The move will put Kaine on the front lines of the fight over the Affordable Care Act, with Republicans looking to lay the pathway for the repeal process in early January.
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“This is a critical moment for healthcare in America and I’m motivated now more than ever to fight against harmful policy proposals that seek to reverse the progress we’ve made in increasing access to care for millions of Americans,” Kaine said in a statement.
The former vice presidential nominee added that he would also use the role to address opioid and prescription drug abuse.
Senate Democrats face a potentially brutal 2018 map , where they’ll have to play defense on 23 seats. Sens. Bernie SandersBernie SandersThe Hill’s 12:30 Report: Milley apologizes for church photo-op Harris grapples with defund the police movement amid veep talk Biden courts younger voters — who have been a weakness MORE (I-Vt.) and Angus KingAngus KingSenator suggests law enforcement used ‘excessive force’ in Lafayette Square incident Trump administration could pursue drilling near Florida coast post-election: report Hillicon Valley: Chinese tech groups caught in rising US-China tensions | Senator questions controversial facial recognition group on use during protests | Study finds vulnerabilities in online voting system used by several states MORE (I-Maine), who caucus with Democrats, are also up for reelection. Ten of those seats are in states carried by President-elect Donald Trump.
Kaine, McCaskill and Manchin have each said that they will run for reelection.
Sen.-elect Chris Van Hollen (D-Md.) is also joining the Appropriations Committee despite being a freshman. Van Hollen previously served in the House, including as ranking member on the Budget Committee, and will head up the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee heading into the 2018 cycle.
Schumer’s committee appointments must be ratified by a vote of the entire Senate Democratic Caucus in January.
Though the 2018 election is nearly two years away, midterm politics spilled onto the Senate floor before lawmakers left Washington for the year. Manchin lead Democrats in holding up a spending bill in an effort get a one-year extension of healthcare benefits for miners and their families included in the continuing resolution.
Schumer praised Manchin and other-red state Democrats during the fight at a rally with miners.
“I first want to tell the miners here what a wonderful job Joe [Manchin] and Heidi [Heitkamp] and Sherrod [Brown] and Mark [Warner] and [Bob Casey Jr.] have done for you,” he said, speaking next to the senators. “I want to tell the miners I have their back because they have your back.”
Heitkmap, Casey and Brown are also up for reelection in 2018.