WASHINGTON – Senate Majority Leader Harry Reid says that Sen. Tom Harkin — a progressive liberal and ardent supporter of President Barack Obama's plan to create a public insurance plan — will take over the health and education committee.

Harkin will step down from his job as chairman of the agriculture committee, handing the gavel to Sen. Blanche Lincoln of Arkansas.

Sen. Christopher Dodd was next in line to become chairman of the health panel after Sen. Ted Kennedy's death last month. But Dodd turned down the job so he could remain head of the banking committee.