The federal indictment of Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska, means Sen. Pete Domenici has to take on greater responsibility.
Domenici, R-N.M., assumed on Wednesday the position of ranking member of the Senate Homeland Security and Government Affairs Committee’s Subcommittee on Disaster Recovery, according to a news release from his office. Senate rules required Stevens to step down from the position pending resolution of a federal indictment on charges that he lied about accepting more than $250,000 in gifts from contractors.
Stevens pleaded not guilty to the charges today.
“This subcommittee plays an important role in maintaining our understanding of the role of the federal government in responding and dealing with disaster situations, and I plan to ensure it continues,” Domenici said in a news release.
The subcommittee has jurisdiction over federal disaster-related agencies and activities including the Federal Emergency Management Agency. The assignment adds to Domenici’s current committee leadership roles as ranking member of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee and the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee.