Schatz is expected to be sworn in Thursday afternoon. He will serve until 2014, and plans to run for the special election to fill the remaining two years of Inouye’s term. Schatz also said he would run for a full term in 2016.
Schatz will serve with incoming Sen. Rep. Mazie Hirono
Mazie Keiko HironoPower struggle sparks tensions among Senate Democrats Hillicon Valley: YouTube suspends OANN amid lawmaker pressure | Dems probe Facebook, Twitter over Georgia runoff | FCC reaffirms ZTE's national security risk Democrats urge YouTube to remove election misinformation, step up efforts ahead of Georgia runoff MORE (D-Hawaii), who is replacing retiring Sen. Daniel Akaka (D-Hawaii).
Hirono and Schatz likely will both champion climate change.
Hirono was named to the Senate Committee on Energy and Natural Resources earlier this month, and touted clean energy on the campaign trail. Green groups have praised Hirono’s positions on energy and climate change.
While Hirono and Schatz might be more in the traditional environmental mold, the group of Democratic senators who are more centrist on energy issues also is growing.
Sens.-elect Heidi Heitkamp
Mary (Heidi) Kathryn HeitkampThe Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Congress inches closer to virus relief deal The Hill's Morning Report - Presented by Mastercard - Dem leaders back smaller COVID-19 relief bill as pandemic escalates Grassley suggests moderate Democrats for next Agriculture secretary MORE (D-N.D.) and Joe Donnelly
Joseph (Joe) Simon DonnellyBiden and Schumer face battles with left if Democrats win big Harris walks fine line on Barrett as election nears The Hill's Morning Report - Sponsored by JobsOhio - Showdown: Trump-Biden debate likely to be nasty MORE (D-Ind.) will likely orbit Sens. Joe Manchin
Joseph (Joe) ManchinManchin slams Trump for 'dangerous' political 'posturing' during pandemic Centrist senators express optimism their COVID-19 relief bill will become law Sunday shows preview: Congress inches toward stimulus package amid COVID-19 surge MORE (D-W.Va.), Mary Landrieu
Mary Loretta LandrieuCassidy wins reelection in Louisiana Bottom line A decade of making a difference: Senate Caucus on Foster Youth MORE (D-La.) and Mark Begich
Mark Peter BegichAlaska Senate race sees cash surge in final stretch Alaska group backing independent candidate appears linked to Democrats Sullivan wins Alaska Senate GOP primary MORE (D-Alaska) on energy issues.
Heitkamp will come to the Senate with North Dakota’s recent oil-and-gas boom in mind, likely aligning with oil-patch senators Begich and Landrieu on a host of issues. And the more conservative Donnelly might agree with Manchin’s hands-off approach to regulating greenhouse gas emissions.
