Sen. Pat Roberts (R-Kan.), the top Republican on the Senate Rules Committee survived a tough re-election battle Nov. 4 and may now be in line to take the chairmanship of the Rules panel, with the Republican takeover of the Senate.However, Roberts also may be in line for the chairmanship of the Senate Agriculture, Nutrition and Forestry Committee — a post the veteran Kansas lawmaker would be likely to take.If Roberts does not take the Rules Committee chairmanship, next in line for the post in terms of seniority would be Sen. Thad Cochran (R-Miss.), who is currently the top Republican on the Agriculture Committee but may be in line to be chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.Other veteran Republicans on the committee also may have options to head other panels, creating a murky outlook if Roberts does not end up chairing the panel. Further down the seniority list on the committee are Sens. Roy Blunt (R-Mo.) and Ted Cruz (R-Tex.).
Bloomberg also says the fate of the EAC nominees is uncertain.