U.S. Congress members are changing leadership in preparation for their upcoming terms, and two Michigan senators have some of the most powerful seats.
Sen. Carl Levin will chair the U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services starting January, and newly re-elected Sen. Debbie Stabenow will chair the Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee.
Stabenow also will serve on the Senate's Finance Committee.
Of the two senators, Levin is in a more influential position and might change policies regarding the war in Iraq, said MSU political science Professor Paul Abramson.
"The main issue that will dominate politics in the next two years will be the war in Iraq," he said. "The person that holds that chair will influence what will likely be the main concern."
Democrats' influence in such a committee could help shape policies against those of the Bush administration, such as cutting funding for the war, Abramson said. But such a drastic move seems highly unlikely, he said.
The U.S. Senate Committee on Armed Services evaluates issues concerning military technology and federal departments. Although Levin is currently a member of the committee, it is chaired by Sen. John Warner, R-Virgina, who maintains that troops should stay in Iraq until the country is self-sustainable.
In a Monday press conference, Levin said he will recommend setting a timetable to bring back troops from Iraq.
"We should press to commence the phased redeployment of U.S. troops in Iraq in four to six months and thereby make it clear to the Iraqis that our presence is not open-ended and that they must make the necessary political compromises to preserve Iraq as a nation," Levin said. "We cannot save the Iraqis from themselves."
Levin said he plans to ensure armed forces are properly equipped as well as review progress in Afghanistan and evaluate the Bush administration's policies on Iran and North Korea.
Democrats won the majority in both the U.S. House and Senate during midterm elections last week.
The Senate Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, formerly chaired by Sen. Hillary Clinton, D-N.Y., focuses on shaping the federal Democratic agenda by meeting with Democrats from all over the country. Clinton focused on promoting security issues when she chaired the committee.
"I look forward to serving in these key committee and leadership positions," Stabenow said in a press release on Tuesday.
"Both the Senate Finance Committee and the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee will allow me to focus on a broad range of issues critical to Michigan families — jobs, health care, pensions and tax policies to support our manufacturers."
