Bill Nelson Set for Big Role for Now-Minority Senate Dems

As the Democrats ready to cede control of the U.S. Senate to Republicans in the coming weeks, U.S. Sen. Bill Nelson, D-Fla., now in the middle of his third term, will rank as one of the senior Democrats in the chamber.

The Senate Democratic leadership announced its committee assignments on Friday and Nelson garnered a few plum assignments. Nelson will lead Democrats on the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee and sit on the Armed Services, Finance and Aging committees. Nelson will be the second highest Democrat on Armed Services and is the senior -- but not ranking -- member of his party on the Aging Committee.