Booker to join Foreign Relations Committee

Sen. Cory Booker will join the Foreign Relations Committee next year, giving the New Jersey Democrat a chance to bolster his foreign policy credentials. 

Booker’s office announced the committee shuffle on Thursday. 

The move puts Booker — considered a potential 2020 White House contender — in the midst of the upcoming fight over Exxon Mobil CEO Rex Tillerson’s nomination to lead the State Department. The committee has to approve him before he can get a full Senate vote.

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The committee will also kick off hearings on Russia, including probing allegations of U.S. election hacking, in January. 

“I’m excited about these committee assignments because they will enable me to keep fighting to strengthen America’s national security, ensure equal justice, and expand economic opportunity for all,” Booker said in a statement. 

Booker will also serve on the Commerce, Science, and Transportation; Environment and Public Works; and Small Business and Entrepreneurship committees.

He added that the committees will allow him to serve as a “check and balance” on the Donald Trump administration. 

Sen. Ben Cardin, the top Democrat on the committee, praised Booker on Thursday.

“[His] passion for making a difference in people’s lives, curiosity about the world, and energetic embrace of progressive values will be huge assets on SFRC [the Senate Foreign Relations Committee] during this very consequential time in U.S. foreign policy,” he said.

Though Booker’s political career has largely focused on domestic issues, he was considered a Democrat to watch on the Iran nuclear deal because of his friendship with fellow New Jersey Sen. Robert Menendez (D) and Rabbi Shmuley Boteach, who were both against the agreement. 

He is giving up his seat on the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Sen.-elect Maggie Hassan (D-N.H.) announced earlier Thursday that she will serve on the committee next year.

This story was updated at 6:31 p.m.