Hutchison takes Stevens' seat

The Associated Press

Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison of Texas is filling in for indicted Sen. Ted Stevens as the top Republican on a key Senate committee.

Hutchison will serve as ranking Republican on the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee, while Stevens deals with corruption charges filed against him Tuesday.

Stevens, R-Alaska, temporarily stepped down from committee positions as required by Senate rules. He was indicted Tuesday on seven felony counts of concealing more than $250,000 in house renovations and gifts from a powerful oil contractor that lobbied him for government aid.

He is the first sitting senator to face indictment since 1993. He has said he is innocent of the charges.

Hutchison remained supportive of Stevens.

"Ted served our country heroically in World War II and is a tireless advocate for his state. I have every expectation that Senator Stevens will return to his role as ranking member in the future," she said in a statement issued by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee.

Hutchison will continue to serve as ranking member of the Aviation, Operation, Safety and Security subcommittee. Usually a senator wouldn’t serve in both positions, but Hutchison received a waiver for now.