By Mike Baker
Associated Press Writer
RALEIGH ó Senator-elect Kay Hagan said Tuesday sheís looking at the possibility of replacing departing Sen. Elizabeth Dole on the committees that oversee the military and banking.
If sheís assigned to either committee, the freshman senator could play a key role in new regulations targeted at financial institutions and how the nation approaches the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan. Hagan has proposed new oversight of the banking industry and ending the war in Iraq to focus on Afghanistan.
Dole has sat on both panels, representing North Carolinaís large military installations and banking presence.
To begin her prep work, Hagan participated in three events geared toward veterans Tuesday. She attended a briefing at the State Fairgrounds with two of her future colleagues ó North Carolina Reps. David Price and Bob Etheridge. She addressed the crowd and heard concerns from veterans struggling to get adequate care.
ěIn Washington, Iím going to work tirelessly to ensure that our veterans receive the care that you deserve, including access to higher education and quality and affordable health care,î Hagan said before heading to her hometown of Greensboro to meet with more veterans. She only took a few questions from reporters before leaving. Her staff did not return messages seeking additional comment about her plans.
Dole played a role in those issues when the Congress passed a new GI Bill this past year. Dole helped persuade congressional leaders to include a provision proposed by Republicans that would allow veterans to transfer the educational benefits to other members of their family.
On banking, Hagan will be representing a state thatís home to Bank of America Corp. and the remnants of Wachovia Corp., which collapsed amid the credit crisis.
ěOur country is facing a huge, huge debt burden that this current administration has put on the children and grandchildren of this generation,î Hagan said. ěThatís something that I want to work very hard on once I get to Washington.î
Hagan unseated Dole in last weekís election.