Iowa Sen. Chuck Grassley used the power of seniority to claim chairmanship of the tax-writing Finance Committee on Friday, saying he would pursue a pro-growth agenda of “additional tax relief and tax fairness” and making health care more affordable.
As Finance chairman, Grassley could play an influential role in consideration of the United States-Mexico-Canada Agreement, negotiated by the three nations as the successor to NAFTA. The Finance Committee has jurisdiction over international trade as well as taxes.
Grassley would become Finance chairman officially in January when Senate Republicans make committee assignments. He is assured of the new chairmanship, however, because in his seventh term, he is the longest-serving GOP senator. Senate Republicans confirmed Grassley this week for the post of president pro tempore in the new session, putting him third in the line of succession to the presidency.