Sen. David Vitter this month announced plans to run for governor of Louisiana in 2015, setting in motion a series of moves that will eventually influence the leadership of the Senate Environment and Public Works (EPW) Committee.
Sen. Vitter currently serves as the ranking Republican on the EPW panel, which holds jurisdiction over the Environmental Protection Agency (including the Safe Drinking Water Act and the Clean Water Act) as well as the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Should he win the Louisiana governorship next year, then his successor as the committee’s lead Republican will depend on the outcome of the 2014 Senate elections.
Sen. James Inhofe of Oklahoma – who preceded Vitter as EPW’s lead Republican – is next in line in terms of seniority, but GOP rules prevent him as serving as the panel’s ranking Republican because he has already used up his six years of eligibility for that role. But should Republicans capture the Senate majority in the 2014 elections, then Inhofe would be eligible to take over as EPW chairman when Vitter departs.
If Democrats maintain their Senate majority in 2014, then Sen. John Barrasso of Wyoming would be next in line to assume the role of EPW’s ranking Republican. Barrasso, however, would also be eligible to serve as lead Republican of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee – a position he may favor to EPW. In that event, Sens. Jeff Sessions of Alabama and Michael Crapo of Idaho would be in line for the EPW slot, though each would have to give up a ranking member post on another committee in order take over. Should neither opt to do so, the EPW ranking Republican position would go to Mississippi’s Roger Wicker.
Any changes to EPW’s leadership are still a long way off, as Sen. Vitter is not currently planning to leave the Senate early to campaign for governor. In fact, Vitter promised in hiscampaign announcement that his candidacy would “in no way limit” his current work in the Senate.
In the event that Vitter does not win the governorship next year, his Senate term is up for reelection in 2016.