Warren, Baldwin to join HELP panel

Two of the election's most prominent female Senate candidates will join a panel that governs healthcare.

Incoming Sens. Elizabeth Warren (D-Mass.) and Tammy Baldwin (D-Wis.) were both given spots on the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, along with the Special Committee on Aging. 

The new Senate Finance Committee, meanwhile, will include returning Sens. Sherrod Brown (D-Ohio) and Michael Bennet (D-Colo.).

The announcements came after the Senate's Democratic Steering Committee approved new rosters Wednesday.

"I am excited to work with the members of our expanded majority. Our caucus is more diverse than ever, with a record sixteen female Democratic senators serving in the next Congress," said Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid (D-Nev.) in a statement.

"These committee assignments will allow all members of our caucus to bring their unique talents and expertise to bear as we work together to advance the interests of the middle class."

Incoming Sens. Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) and Joe Donnelly (D-Ind.) will also join the HELP and Aging panels, respectively.

The assignments are subject to approval by the Democratic Caucus and a resolution of the full Senate in January.

Baldwin, Donnelly and Murphy are currently serving in the House.

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