Isakson, Portman, Toomey to join Finance panel

Republican leaders in the Senate Thursday announced three new appointments to the chamber's elite Finance Committee, which governs Medicare and Medicaid.

GOP Sens. Johnny Isakson (Ga.), Rob Portman (Ohio) and Pat Toomey (Pa.) received Finance positions for the 113th Congress. Sen. Tom Coburn (R-Okla.) will leave the panel.

Leaders also announced that newly appointed Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.) will join the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee starting Thursday. 

Scott and fellow freshman Sens. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) and Ted Cruz (R-Texas) will also join the Senate Special Committee on Aging, which reviews Medicare's performance.

In addition, Sen. Kelly Ayotte (R-N.H.) will take part in that panel, as GOP Sens. Jerry Moran (Kan.), Ron Johnson (Wis.), Richard Shelby (Ala.), Lindsey Graham (S.C.) and Saxby Chambliss (Ga.) depart it.

Committee assignments are pending ratification by the GOP conference and the Senate as a whole, leaders noted.

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