Tight polls for Republicans are throwing future GOP leadership of the Senate health panel into question.
With Sens. Roger Marshall, R-Kansas, and Susan Collins, R-Maine, fighting difficult reelection battles, it’s unclear who will replace Louisiana Sen. Bill Cassidy as the top Republican on the Senate HELP Committee.
Sen. Rand Paul, R-Ky., is the next most senior person, but he would have to give up leading the Homeland Security Committee to helm the health panel. And Sen. Lisa Murkowski, R-Alaska, another member, could be in line to be the top GOP appropriator if Collins loses her reelection bid.
Sen. Tim Scott, R-S.C., would be next up after Paul and Murkowski, but he already leads the Senate Banking Committee.
It’s not impossible that Missouri Sen. Josh Hawley, a staunch abortion opponent, lands the role opposite Sen. Bernie Sanders, I-Vt., on the committee.