Here comes Bernie Sanders as HELP chair
Peter Sullivan
3 hours ago
Bernie Sanders is in line to take over as HELP Committee chairman now that Democrats have held the Senate — possibly in a fiery showdown with Rand Paul that could tie up the committee with fights for the next two years.
Why it matters: With Patty Murray's expected move to Appropriations, Sanders would have a new, larger platform to champion his progressive ideas — and potentially make Chuck Schumer's life miserable on issues like Medicare for All.
It's not guaranteed that Sanders would seek the HELP chairmanship since he's already the chair of the Budget Committee — but insiders expect him to make the move since HELP has more legislative and oversight power. Sanders' aides didn't respond to requests for comment.
Reality check: If Republicans manage to (barely) win the House, Sanders' big ideas like Medicare for All or sweeping new drug price reductions aren't going anywhere, even if they somehow made it out of the Senate.
But he can call hearings to draw attention to issues, and seek to call executives like pharmaceutical company CEOs to testify.
https://www.axios.com/pro/health-care-policy/2022/11/14/bernie-sanders-help-committee-chair