I have a question about Senate procedure

[Fenris]

I was watching C-SPAN 2 this morning and they were showing a hearing of the Senate Permanent Investigations Subcommittee. The chairman of that committee is Norm Coleman. Now, in government class, I was taught that those seats were given to those with seniority. Coleman is a relatively fresh Senator. So why is he chairing this subcommittee? No other candidates? Is it just a bad gig? Am I wrong about seniority?

[King Of Paperboys]

1. Seniority is not a hard and fast rule.

It's generally respected, but, especially on subcommittees, the chairmanships are handed out as perks... it's one of the tools the whip and the leader have to maintain loyalty.

[Fenris]

2. Figures with Coleman then

Weaseled his way into the Senate and got the most liberal Senator out of power (well, not directly) and retook the seat for Republicans. Probably his reward.

[seventhson]

3. Repukes sure as hell would prefer having Coleman investigating

the Wellstone murder

now wouldn't they?

THAT is why he is there

[King Of Paperboys]

4. Example I forgot to cite...

Remember Teddy? There's no one more senior, but he got passed over for chair of the Judiciary when we had control because... well, you know.

[leyton]

5. I think it's because it's a subcommittee, which there are a lot of.

Probably enough that whoever wants a subcommittee chair can have it.