Sen. Chuck Grassley Steps Down From Judiciary Chair So Lindsey Graham Can Take Over…

Fox News confirmed the story:

Republican Sen. Chuck Grassley of Iowa announced Friday he will step down as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee so he can lead the Senate Finance Committee in the next congress, paving the way for South Carolina Sen. Lindsey Graham to become the Judiciary Committee's next chairman.

Grassley and Graham both played high profile roles in the confirmation hearings of Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh, standing out as staunch defenders of Kavanaugh.

Grassleypreviously served as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee in 2001 and again from 2003 to 2007.

Based on seniority, Graham is poised to be named chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee. Graham, a close ally of President Trump, would oversee the president's judicial nominations.

“The economy is better than it’s been in years and there’s a sense of optimism about the future of our country that people haven’t felt in a long time thanks to the pro-growth policies of a Republican President and a Republican majority in Congress,” Grassley said in a Friday statement. “Looking ahead, at the Finance Committee, I want to continue to work to make sure that as many Americans as possible get to experience this good economy for themselves."

Townhall had more:

Graham was one of the loudest voices during the testy confirmation hearings for now Supreme Court Justice Brett Kavanaugh. He lambasted his Democratic colleagues for putting the nominee through "hell." It was "the most unethical sham" he'd seen since entering politics. 

Graham also plans to look into the FBI’s investigations into alleged Russian interference in the 2016 presidential election and former Secretary of State Hillary Clinton’s emails. Graham is also one of several Republicans who have asked for a second special counsel in the Russia probe, particularly after anti-Trump texts from former FBI agent Peter Strzok and former FBI lawyer Lisa Page surfaced. 

Read More:  “Trump Prophet” Speaks Out On Midterms and the Red Wave Prophecy

Axios also covered the story:

Sen. Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is stepping out of his role as Senate Judiciary Committee chairman in 2019 to take over Sen. Orrin Hatch's role as chairman of the Senate Finance Committee. 

Why it matters: The move paves the way for Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) to take over the Judiciary Committee in January, which would make him President Trump's point person on judges. Under Grassley, the committee approved more than 80 of Trump's nominees to lifetime appointments on the federal bench, as well as two Supreme Court justices.

While they last: