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November 13, 2012

Warren said poised for Senate Banking seat

Reports said Sen.-elect Elizabeth Warren, D-Mass., the administration's point person for the Consumer Financial Protection Bureau during the early months of the agency, may soon be vying for a post on the Senate Banking Committee.

Contrary to some reports, Warren, who beat Republican Sen. Scott Brown for her seat, will not be competing with Sen. Kirsten Gillibrand, D-N.Y., for one of the two Democratic spots that are open on the committee. Gillibrand is not seeking a position on the committee.

A Tuesday morning email from liberal website Daily Kos instructed readers to sign an online petition requesting that Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid, D-Nev., include Warren on the Senate Banking Committee. By early afternoon, the petition had already garnered 40,000 signatures. Warren has yet to indicate what her preferences are regarding committee assignments. Preference in committee assignments is usually given to senators with seniority, and any final decision on Banking Committee membership may not come until after the first of the year.

Senate Banking Chairman Tim Johnson, D-S.D., said in a statement Tuesday that he would welcome Warren to the committee if that is what she wants. "Her expertise and knowledge would be an asset to the committee as we continue working to protect consumers and maintain financial stability."

NAFCU worked with Warren and her staff in her previous roles, including as special assistant to the president on the CFPB.The association is reaching out to the senator-elect as she takes on her new role.

Warren is one of the 53 Democrats that will serve in the Senate when the 113th Congress convenes in January. Two independent senators are expected to caucus with the Democrats. That strengthens the Democratic majority by two seats from the current Congress.

Warren has yet to publicly say what committee assignments she will pursue in the 113th Congress.