If Sen. John Kerry is confirmed by the Senate to be the Secretary of State, he would have to resign his Senate seat, and with it, his chairmanship of the Foreign Relations Committee. Sen. Kerry is expected to easily win confirmation, so the question becomes who would assume the chair. Reports are saying that the junior senator from New Jersey, Sen. Robert Menendez will take the role. He would have to jump over Sen. Barbara Boxer, but she wants to remain chair of the Environment and Public Works Committee. Sen. Kerry’s office has said that the Senator will not resign until he is confirmed by the full Senate. Secretary Hillary Clinton has said that she will remain until a new Secretary is confirmed.
