by elana schor 11/16/16 10:58 am est sen. patrick leahy (d-vt.) on wednesday claimed his party's top spot on the appropriations committee, a powerful perch for senate democrats' most senior member despite its diminished influence in the age of lean federal spending. leahy's move clears the way for sen. dianne feinstein (d-calif.) to become the top democrat on the senate judiciary committee as washington gears up for supreme court confirmation hearings under president-elect donald trump. story continued below when feinstein moves to democrats' top judiciary spot in the next congress, sen. mark warner (d-va.) will take over for her as the party's senior member on the intelligence committee. by michael grunwald by bill scher by thomas wright by joshua zeitz
leahy to be top democrat on appropriations committee - politico
elana schor michael grunwald