WASHINGTON -- Georgia Republican U.S. Sen. Johnny Isakson officially took the reins of the Senate Veterans Affairs and Ethics committees today, making him the upper chamber's only double chairman.
Members of both committees gathered this morning to formally name Isakson as their chairman, in moves that were long-telegraphed. Isakson served as vice chair of the Ethics committee in the previous Democrat-controlled Congress, while his ascent into the top spot on the Veterans panel was enabled by Sen. Richard Burr, R-N.C., taking over the Intelligence Committee chairmanship. The previous top Republican there had been retiring Georgian Saxby Chambliss.
Senators typically can chair only one committee, but the Ethics is a special "select" committee, giving Majority Leader Mitch McConnell the leeway to allow Isakson to run both.
Here's what Isakson, who served in the Georgia Air National Guard from 1966-72, had to say in a news release about formally taking over his dual chairmanships:
"We are at a critical moment in history with the VA, and I will be fiercely committed as chairman of the Senate committee to making sure the Department of Veterans Affairs seizes this moment and rises to meet the challenge of implementing these reforms for our nation's veterans," Isakson said. "There's no greater calling for us in Congress than to bring value back to the VA and our veterans. I look forward to leading the charge in the Senate to implement the solutions to the VA's problems and to help instill a system of success and accountability for the future.
"I take my role on the Ethics Committee very seriously and I remain dedicated to upholding the highest ethical standards of the U.S. Senate in a fair, nonpartisan manner."
Isakson also will serve on the Finance; Health, Education, Labor and Pensions; and Foreign Relations committees.
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