Sen. Craig Thomas (R-Wyo.) said he is interested in taking over the chairmanship of the Senate Indian Affairs Committee.

Thomas is the third Republican in line for the spot but Sen. Pete Domenici (N.M.) said he won't take it, while John McCain is expected to decline as well. The Republican party would have to maintain control of the Senate for Thomas to chair the committee.

Due to term limits, Sen. Ben Nighthorse Campbell (R-Colo.) would have left the post whether or not he retired from the Senate. Sen. Daniel Inouye (D-Hawaii) is stepping down as vice-chair to become the top Democrat on the Senate Commerce Committee next year.

Inouye told tribal leaders last month that if the Democrats gain control of the Senate, Tim Johnson would chair the committee even though is farther down the line.

The committee has eight Republican members and seven Democrats.

Get the Story:
Thomas interested in post on Indian Affairs Committee (The Billings Gazette 3/11)

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