Senate Judiciary Chairman Chuck Grassley’s decision on whether to keep or give up his gavel will have a big effect on several other senior senators — and potentially the appointment of the next attorney general. | Mark Wilson/Getty Images congress Grassley weighs leaving Judiciary Committee chairmanship

Chuck Grassley is still keeping his options open regarding which powerful committee he will helm next Congress, a decision that will have significant ramifications for his colleagues and for Congress as a whole.

The Iowa Republican is deliberating whether to stay as Judiciary Committee chairman for another two years or whether to pursue the Senate Finance Committee chairmanship, which is opening up with the retirement of current chairman Orrin Hatch (R-Utah).


Grassley has long said he would make his decision immediately after the midterms, presumably to see who captured the majority. But now he says he needs more time to talk to GOP senators that will be affected by his decision given the domino effect Grassley will produce either way.

“You ask me that in a few days and I’ll have an answer for you,” Grassley told reporters on Tuesday after a Judiciary hearing moving more lifetime judges toward confirmation. Asked about his previous comments about making a quick decision, he replied: “I forgot that I have an obligation to consult with colleagues and I haven’t done that yet.”

Indeed, Grassley’s decision will have a big impact on several other senior senators. Most notably, if Grassley hops to the Finance Committee Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) will be in line to chair the Judiciary panel and oversee the confirmation of a new attorney general as well as more judges, including filling potential Supreme Court vacancies.

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Both senators have major sway with conservatives these days: Graham has transformed into one of Trump’s most stalwart allies and Grassley confirmed Brett Kavanaugh amid sexual assault allegations against him. Graham is up for reelection in 2020 and is angling for Trump's backing to help avoid a tough primary challenge.

The Judiciary Committee is a contentious and difficult committee to lead, but it may have more sway than the Finance Committee in the next divided Congress given the lack of ideological overlap between the incoming House Democratic majority and the Senate GOP majority on tax policy. Senate Republicans can confirm judicial nominees with no support from Democrats, which could make that job more influential in the coming months.

If Grassley stays at Judiciary, Sen. Mike Crapo (R-Idaho) would be in line to take over the Finance Committee, which oversees tax law. Crapo currently leads the Banking Committee, and if he were to leave that post then Sen. Pat Toomey (R-Pa.) would be the favorite to lead the Banking panel.

Two other Senate committees will see new leaders regardless of what Grassley does: Sen. Roger Wicker (R-Miss.) is likely to be the new Commerce Committee chairman since current Chairman John Thune (R-S.D.) is becoming party whip, and Sen. Jim Risch (R-Idaho) is expected to take over at Senate Foreign Relations with the retirement of Chairman Bob Corker (R-Tenn.)