Franken Lands Plum Committees, to Debut at Sotomayor Hearings

When Al Franken is sworn in on July 7, 2009 as U.S. Senator from Minnesota, he automatically takes on a top leadership role among Congressional Democrats, but not just because of his fame as comedian and author.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and top Senate Democrats have reserved high-profile committee assignments for Sen. Franken, including:

• Judiciary, headed by Sen. Patrick Leahy of Vermont, and
• Health, Education & Labor, headed by ailing Sen. Ted Kennedy of Massachusetts

Sen. Franken was selected for these plum yet challenging committee assignments because he's both unusually bright and quite conversant on the issues. And because he's an unabashed, unashamed progressive Democrat who will undoubtedly be a reliable liberal vote and voice.

Sen. Leahy and Sen. Kennedy, two of the Senate's longtime liberal lions, must be frankly delighted to welcome to their ranks a staunch liberal, in their own proud traditions, who will carry the torch for progressive reform of vital issues.

Franken enthused today that he's "ready to get to work" on "education, health care and energy issues."

Look for Sen. Franken to make his public debut as political leader on July 13th, when Supreme Court nominee Sonia Sotomayor appears before the Senate Judiciary Committee to being hearings on her confirmation.

Essential Reading

• Profile of Sen. Al Franken of Minnesota
• Al Franken Seating Puts Liberal Pressure on Obama Agenda

(Photo taken on July 6, 2009 of Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid and Sen. Al Franken: Mark Wilson/Getty Images)