Senate GOP moves to strip Murkowski of Energy post

[September 22, 2010]  WASHINGTON (AP) -- Senate Republicans are moving to strip Alaska Sen. Lisa Murkowski of her role as top Republican on the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee, further punishing her as she mounts a write-in bid to try to hold onto her seat.

Murkowski has already been stripped of her leadership role in the GOP caucus, and could lose her Energy Committee post as soon as Wednesday if the 41-member Republican caucus votes to remove her in a secret ballot.

Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell, who is a former Murkowski ally, said there was a question whether it was appropriate for Murkowski to continue her leadership role on the committee, given her defeat in last month's GOP primary for Senate.

North Carolina Sen. Richard Burr is next in line on the Energy Committee.

[Associated Press; By MATTHEW DALY]

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