Sen. Clinton, Others Get Panel Assignments
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WASHINGTON — Hillary Rodham Clinton will continue to have her say on health care: She landed a seat Thursday on the Senate’s Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee.
The senator and first lady also was named to the Budget and the Environment and Public Works committees.
She didn’t get two committee seats she said during her Senate campaign that she wanted: Finance and Appropriations. Those powerful committees are considered the most desirable in the Senate. Committees are assigned mostly by seniority, and Clinton ranks 97th.
For senators sworn in on the same day, seniority is affected by previous Senate, House and gubernatorial service.
Clinton made a name in health care when, early in her husband’s first term, she pushed for an overhaul that was later killed in Congress. Detractors compared her plan to socialized medicine, and its downfall led her to retreat somewhat from a public policy role in President Clinton’s administration.
The senior Democrat on the health committee, Sen. Edward M. Kennedy (D-Mass.), said Clinton would be “an outstanding member.”
Senate GOP leaders have not released their committee assignments.
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