The Democratic Steering Committee approved committee assignments, but they’re subject to approval of the full Democratic caucus and the new Senate when it convenes in January.

Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid said the anticipated assignments were aimed at helping senators “bring their unique talents and expertise to bear as we work together to advance the interests of the middle class.”

King was pleased by the anticipated appointments.

King had mentioned that he’d hoped to serve on the Armed Services Committee, which will give him a say in matters related to Navy shipbuilder Bath Iron Works and Portsmouth Naval Shipyard.

He’s the only incoming freshman on the Rules Committee, which could deal with the filibuster rule and campaign finance. The Intelligence Committee has oversight of the intelligence budget, which includes CIA and other agencies. The Budget Committee approves the spending blueprint for the federal budget.

“The Rules Committee is a particularly important assignment to me as this is a committee that has jurisdiction over filibuster reform and campaign finance, two issues which I focused on during the campaign,” he said.

University of Maine political science professor Mark Brewer described the proposed appointments Wednesday evening as “pretty plum assignments, especially for a freshman.” The Rules Committee appointment would give King an opportunity to help to reform an institution that he says is plagued by partisan gridlock, Brewer said.

Republicans haven’t announced their proposed committee assignments.

Sen. Susan Collins, R-Maine, currently serves on the Armed Services, Appropriations, Homeland Security and Governmental Affair committees, as well as the Special Committee on Aging.

King, a former two-term governor in Maine, won a six-way race to succeed Republican Sen. Olympia Snowe, who’s retiring from Congress after more than 30 years in office.

In the Senate, 53 Democrats will make up the majority. King is one of two independents who will caucus with them for an effective total of 55.

King had requested a seat on the Senate Finance Committee, an assignment usually reserved for more senior lawmakers like Snowe, who’d sat on the panel that oversees taxation and health care.

But Reid made it clear to King that wasn’t going to happen. “My father used to say, ‘If you don’t ask, you don’t get,'” King said previously.

But on Wednesday, King had little to complain about, despite being overlooked on the Finance Committee. “I am pleased with these assignments and feel they are in line with the priorities of Maine people,” he said.

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