Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is expected to take over the Senate Appropriations Committee in the 111th Congress.

Inouye, 84, is in line for the chairmanship now that Sen. Robert Byrd (D-West Virginia) relinquished the post. Byrd, who turns 91 this month, is the longest-serving senator in U.S. history.

Inouye would have to give up top post on the Senate Commerce Committee by taking the appropriations spot. He remains a member of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee, of which he has served as chairman and vice chairman.

Democrats control at least 55 seats in the Senate and will be looking to reduce the number of seats held by Republicans on various committees, The Hill reported.

Get the Story:
Byrd to Step Down as Appropriations Chair (The Washington Post 11/8)
Byrd to Quit Powerful Senate Appropriations Post (The New York Times 11/8)
Reid looks to chop Republican committee seats (The Hill 11/8)

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