Sen. Whitehouse gets coveted health panel slot

[babylonsister]

http://briefingroom.thehill.com/2009/05/06/sen-whitehouse-gets-coveted-health-panel-slot/

Sen. Whitehouse gets coveted health panel slot
@ 12:22 pm by Hill Staff


Freshman Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.) has landed himself a front-row seat for the debate on health reform, something he's staked out as one of his big priorities.

The Senate Democratic leadership has assigned Whitehouse to the Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee, which, along with the Finance Committee, has the lead role with drafting legislation to reform the U.S. healthcare system, The Providence Journal reports.

"I'm honored that {Senate Majority} Leader {Harry} Reid {D-Nev.} gave me this opportunity to serve temporarily on the HELP Committee. Our health care system is in disrepair — its failures touch millions of American families, every day — and fixing it is among our biggest and most urgent challenges. I'm ready to roll up my sleeves and do all I can to help Chairman Kennedy and my colleagues to move this vital effort forward," Whitehouse said in a statement to the Journal.

Whitehouse already had his toe in the health reform waters from his perch on the Budget Committee.

[Captain Hilts]

1. Yay! Whitehouse for the Whitehouse in '16. nt

[beac]

10. He's got my vote! n/t

[opihimoimoi]

2. Freshman but appears seasoned in his thinking / wisdom, passion, and tenacity

Future Pres material....nuture, let him spawn others with his inspiration and wisdom...Obama is doing the same...

[JDPriestly]

3. Good for him!

[aquart]

4. Rhode Island is so lucky to have him.

[bdamomma]

11. we are lucky to have him I hope he still pushes to investigate

the bush regime with Leahy.

[aquart]

12. Me, too.

[peace frog]

5. Great choice!

Wow, Reid can do something right once in a while. :)

[LakeSamish706]

6. I couldn't think of a better choice... A true Democrat... n/t

[gblady]

7. this is good news....

anyone knows his views on single payer?

[Jim Lane]

8. Why is he on the committee "temporarily"?

All I can think of is that this may be part of an interim rearrangement of committee seats flowing from Specter's change of party. Perhaps it's envisioned that everything is up for grabs after the 2010 elections?

[Muttocracy]

9. he's a busy Senator! nt

[saltpoint]

13. I'm really liking Sheldon Whitehouse.

All indicators suggest he's a genuinely decent soul.