Harkin accepts chairmanship of HELP Committee

Sen. Tom Harkin (D-Iowa) accepted the chairmanship of the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee (HELP) Committee today, replacing the late Sen. Ted Kennedy (D-Mass.)

Harkin got the gig when fellow Democrat Sen. Chris Dodd (D-Conn.) turned the position down. Dodd was next in line after Kennedy but decided to keep his chairmanship of the Senate Banking Committee instead. Senate rules prevent a member from heading two committees.

“Today I am honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee," Harkin said in a statement. "To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, who dedicated his life to ensuring that our economy works for all Americans, guaranteeing every child the opportunity to pursue a quality education and, of course, the cause of his life: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans."

Harkin will have to give up his chairmanship of the Agriculture Committee, which is hugely important to his home state. The midwest Democrat said he plans to stay involved in the committee's work.

“Of course agriculture will always be a key interest to my home state of Iowa, so I intend to remain a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, a Committee I have been on since I first joined the Senate in 1985," he said.

Read the full statement after the jump.

WASHINGTON, D.C. – Senator Tom Harkin (D-IA) today issued the following statement regarding succession of the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP).

“Today I am honored to accept the chairmanship of the Senate HELP Committee. To serve in this capacity is to carry on the legacy of Senator Ted Kennedy, who dedicated his life to ensuring that our economy works for all Americans, guaranteeing every child the opportunity to pursue a quality education and, of course, the cause of his life: access to quality, affordable health care for all Americans. In this last endeavor, I expect to work closely with Senator Dodd, who has guided the HELP Committee so capably in reporting The Affordable Health Choice Act, and who will continue to play a leading role as health care legislation moves to the Senate floor.

“Of course agriculture will always be a key interest to my home state of Iowa, so I intend to remain a member of the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry, a Committee I have been on since I first joined the Senate in 1985. My dedication to the Agriculture Committee dates back to my first year in Congress when I served on the House Agriculture Committee in 1975. In that time, I have had the great privilege of serving as Chairman of the Senate Committee during enactment of the 2002 and 2007 farm bills – bipartisan legislation that passed this body by an overwhelming majority. It is because of these bills that support for renewable energy and support for farm income grew exponentially, acres and acres of lands have been preserved through conservation efforts, rural developments efforts grew to help small towns that Americans have access to more fruits and vegetables and food assistance is covered for American families who need it. I intend to remain a member of the Committee.”