Ethics Probe, Election Races Cloud Senate Health Panel Outlook

An investigation into Richard Burr’s stock trading throws into question his political future and the direction of a crucial Senate domestic policy committee.

Burr (R-N.C.) has been in line to helm the Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions Committee, as Chairman Lamar Alexander (R-Tenn.) retires at year-end, as will senior members Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.), who leads a subcommittee focused on health care and retirement security, and Pat Roberts (R-Kan.).

But Burr stepped down May 14 as chairman of the Intelligence Committee after FBI agents seized his mobile phone for the probe into his $1.7 million sale of stocks in February as ...