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December 19, 2013

Baucus eyed as next ambassador to China

Dec. 19, 2013 – News reports Wednesday said the president will nominate Senate Finance Committee Chairman Max Baucus, D-Mont., to succeed Gary Locke as the United States' ambassador to China.

Baucus is one-half of the House-Senate leadership team on tax reform, which lawmakers have already said is going to be pushed into 2014. Reports indicate he would leave his Senate post before his current term expires if he is confirmed to replace Locke.

The senator has already announced he doesn't plan to run for a new term next year. One report suggests that Montana's lieutenant governor, Democrat John Walsh, may be appointed by Gov. Steve Bullock to fill out the remainder of Baucus' term (if he does step down early) possibly run for reelection in 2014.