Hawaii to exert major influence on US Senate

[Deep Thought]

According to the AP, both of Hawaii's Senators will chair committees in the next Congress. Sen. Inouye gets Commerce, Science, and Transportation, which has broad jurisdiction over a number of topics (see:http://commerce.senate.gov/public/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Jurisdiction). Sen. Akaka gets Veterans Affairs, where he will have the power to ensure our veterans get a fair shake for the sacrifices they've made (see:http://veterans.senate.gov/index.cfm?FuseAction=About.Jurisdiction). It's hard to come by other states with as much seniority as Hawaii's senators. Anyone have insights as to what they (the senators) might do with this golden opportunity?


Link to AP article:http://www.newsday.com/news/politics/wire/sns-ap-democrats-senate-chairs,0,3455537.story?page=2&coll=sns-ap-politics-headlines

[raatz]

Inouye will likely be a key advocate for net neutrality.

See:

http://news.zdnet.com/2100-9595_22-6070494.html

[GeckoGeek]

I donno. I just hope they are planning for the future. Inouye can't last much longer and Akaka ain't no spring chicken. With two freshmen/sophomore senators in our future, I don't like the long term looks of things. The local Democratic party had better be doing some long range planning. Otherwise they'll have to take the blame for what happens to us a decade from now.