Rand Paul Seeks Top GOP Seat on Senate HELP Committee

Sen. Rand Paul (R-Ky.) said he is seeking the top Republican spot on the Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee for the next Congress, giving up his current chairmanship of the Homeland Security Committee to do so. Paul is the most senior Republican on the HELP panel after former chair Bill Cassidy and other members, including Susan Collins and Roger Marshall, lost their elections. Paul said he would oppose a "rush toward socialism" and expects to spar with incoming chair Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.), who has prioritized expanding government-run health care.