Sen DeMint resignation leaves opening on Commerce Committee

Sen. Jim DeMint's (R-SC) announcement that he will resign from the Senate opens up the top Republican position on a powerful committee. Sen DeMint was set to succeed Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-TX) as the ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee until he revealed that he would step down to lead the conservative Heritage Foundation.

The Commerce Committee, which is chaired by Sen. Jay Rockefeller (D-WV), has jurisdiction over communications policy, technology, interstate commerce, transportation, aviation and other key areas. Sen. John Thune (R-SD) is the next most senior Republican on the committee, but he was also recently reelected as conference chairman. It is unclear whether he would be allowed to keep his party leadership role and take on the ranking member position. Sen. Roger Wicker (R-MS) would be the next Republican in line after Sen Thune on the panel.