Byrd’s passing opens up key appropriations posts

The vacancy comes as appropriators in the House move forward with a nearly $44 billion Homeland Security spending bill for 2011. That proposal, which was reported out of a House subcommittee last week, would increase Homeland Security spending by $1.1 billion over 2010 levels.

It’s unclear who will take over the Senate subcommittee gavel, as the four Democrats with the most seniority on the panel already hold other appropriations chairmanships. The most senior member of the subcommittee without a chairmanship is Sen. Mary Landrieu (D-La.).

Byrd’s vacancy also leaves an open seat on the full Senate Appropriations Committee, a spot often highly coveted by senators seeking to send federal dollars back home.