Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., may not last much longer as head of the Senate Appropriations Committee, Politico reports.
Cochran, 80, has led the committee for almost three years, but has yet to deliver a floor speech or introduce a major piece of legislation this year. Several unnamed sources tell Politico that the senator no longer weighs in on issues except through official statements from his office or committee, and no longer meets with committee members to discuss major issues, though Cochran's own aides deny this.
The senator's spokesman, Chris Gallegos, told Politico that “Sen. Cochran continues to meet with constituents, advocates and administration officials, including those related to his work on the committee. Many of these meetings have been related to defense appropriations.”
This, in addition to his deteriorating mental and physical health witnessed by his fellow members of Congress and their aides, has some speculating that he will leave either the Appropriations Committee or the Senate entirely before the midterm elections.
“The understanding is that he will leave after Jan. 1,” a GOP senator on Cochran's committee told Politico. “That's what most of us believe will happen.”
Cochran's spokesman denied that Cochran has revealed any plans about his future.
“Sen. Cochran has not made any statements regarding leaving office. He continues to do his work for Mississippi and the nation,” he said. “He has not made any statements about relinquishing his chairmanship.”
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