Senate Democrats approved a caucus rule change Wednesday that would require Richard Durbin (D-Ill.) to choose between either a leading role as a defense appropriator or on the Judiciary Committee, according to two Democratic aides.
The amendment sponsored by Tim Kaine (D-Va.) says the caucus whip, a post Durbin holds, can only be chair or ranking member on a single committee or subcommittee. The current rule allows any member of the caucus to have up to two gavels.
Durbin currently serves as top Democrat on the Senate Appropriations Defense subcommittee. He announced he was interested in succeeding Dianne Feinstein (D-Calif.) ...