King, Kaine, Donnelly to join Armed Services panel

Three freshman were added to the Democratic roster of Senate Armed Services Committee members: Sen.-elects Angus King (I-Maine), Tim Kaine (D-Va.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.).

Sen. Bill Nelson (D-Fla.) is also joining the Armed Services panel on the Democratic side, which the majority leader’s office announced Wednesday with the full Democratic committee rosters.

The panel’s chairman, Carl Levin (D-Mich.), will be staying on for the 113th Congress, while the top Republican, Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.), is giving up his post due to term limits. Sen. James Inhofe (R-Okla.) is widely expected to replace McCain as ranking member.

The Veterans Affairs Committee will be getting a new chairman next year as well, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) taking over the panel after Sen. Patty Murray (D-Wash.) moves to the Budget Committee.

Sens. Richard Blumenthal (D-Conn.) and Mazie Hirono (D-Hawaii) are joining the committee that handles veterans’ issues on the Democratic side.

Republicans have not yet announced their committee rosters.

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