Senate Environment and Public Works ranking member Sheldon Whitehouse of Rhode Island will seek the top Democratic spot on the Judiciary Committee when Sen. Dick Durbin of Illinois retires, Whitehouse told POLITICO’s E&E News.
Whitehouse, one of Congress’ most vocal climate action hawks, has long eyed the Judiciary position. In 2020, he challenged Durbin’s ability to serve in both Judiciary Committee leadership and as Democratic whip.
Although Whitehouse’s 2020 challenge was unsuccessful, Durbin’s retirement will leave Whitehouse as the Judiciary Committee’s most senior Democrat.
“I think it’s the natural course of events,” Whitehouse said Tuesday when asked whether he would seek to become ranking member or chair, depending on what party wins the midterm elections.
