1. Harry Reid (Nev.)
Senate majority leader will have at least 57 Democratic votes to push Obama’s agenda.
2. Dick Durbin (Ill.)
Senate majority whip will enforce party discipline.
3. Christopher Dodd (Conn.)
Chairman of the Banking Committee will have oversight of massive federal bailout of financial institutions.
4. Daniel Inouye (Hawaii)
Taking over as chairman of the Appropriations Committee from Robert Byrd, will be in charge of doling out billions of dollars.
5. Patrick Leahy (Vt.)
Chairman of the Judiciary Committee will shepherd Obama’s judicial nominees through confirmation hearings, including for the Supreme Court.
6. Carl Levin (Mich.)
Chairman of the Armed Forces Committee will help downsize the Pentagon so Obama will have more money for his campaign promises.
7. Barbara Boxer (Calif.)
Chairwoman of Environment and Public Works Committee will make sure that global warming is a top priority.
8. Charles Schumer (N.Y.)
Chairman of the Democratic Senatorial Campaign Committee will work to ensure that Democrats maintain their majority in 2010.
9. Max Baucus (Mont.)
Chairman of the Finance Committee will rewrite the tax code to help Obama “spread the wealth.”
10. Edward Kennedy (Mass.)
Chairman of Health, Education, Labor & Pensions Committee, while in bad health, hopes to secure his legislative legacy by enacting version of nationalized health care.
