Arlen Specter’s decision to switch parties puts Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) in a really tough position.
Currently the ranking member on the Senate Finance Committee, Grassley is also set to become the top Republican on the Judiciary Committee now that Specter’s a Democrat.
GOP rules, however, prevent Grassley from holding ranking member positions on both panels, meaning he’ll have to choose. In another twist, the Iowa Independent points out, Grassley’s Finance position would end in 2010 due to committee term limits.
As it stands, Grassley is smack in the middle of working on healthcare overhaul with Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus (D-Mont.), with whom Grassley gets along famously. On the other hand, the Judiciary Committee will likely handle at least one Supreme Court nomination in the next few years, a process Grassley would no doubt love to be a part of.
A call to Grassley’s office was not immediately returned. Stay tuned.