Sanders to seek gavel of Senate health committee

Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-Vt.) is pursuing the top spot on the Senate's Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, his spokesman said Thursday, now that Democrats are poised to maintain control of the Senate.

As leader of the committee with jurisdiction over much of federal health policy, Sanders will have a platform to champion his progressive causes, including his "Medicare for All" proposal. 

"As chairman of the committee, he will focus on universal health...