Schatz Named Chief Deputy Whip
The Hawaii senator and Cory Booker of New Jersey have new roles on the Democratic聽caucus鈥檚 leadership team.
Senate Democratic leadership on Monday appointed聽U.S. Sens. Brian Schatz (D-HI) and Cory Booker (D-N.J.) to new roles in the caucus鈥檚 leadership team.
They聽will serve as chief deputy whips, “leadership positions that will give them a greater role in shaping policy and communications for Senate Democrats,” according to a press release from Schatz’s office.
Schatz and Booker join Sen. Jeff Merkley (D-Ore.) on the chief deputy whip team.聽
鈥淚鈥檓 deeply honored to serve in this new leadership role,鈥 Schatz said. 鈥淲e have a lot of work to do in the Senate, and this new post puts me in a better position to help shape and defend our priorities.“
鈥淚 can鈥檛 think of two better leaders to join the Whip team than Senators Schatz and Booker,鈥 said Democratic Whip Dick Durbin. 鈥淏oth have proven their mettle as leading policy minds in our country, and have earned a place helping to shape policy and communications in our caucus. Our team is stronger for their experience and vision.鈥
The main purpose of whips, , is to help find聽votes.
There are currently 46 Democrats, two independents who side with Dems and 52 Republicans in the Senate.
