Senate rabble-rousers are gaining power

Axios is reporting that hardline conservative senators are gaining significant power through Senate committee chair positions. Ron Johnson of Wisconsin will chair the Budget Committee—a key role in major legislation—and he also heads the Homeland Security investigations subcommittee, giving him authority to launch probes. Mike Lee of Utah is next in line to chair the powerful Judiciary Committee. These senators are known for challenging their party's leadership, but the Senate's seniority system enables their rise, allowing even maverick senators to climb to positions of real power.

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