Sullivan is expected to mediate the relationship between Baucus and Senate Democrats, who often take more liberal stands than the Montana Democrat. In 2001, Senate Democratic leaders were furious, for example, when Baucus negotiated a $1.3 trillion tax-cut package with Senate Republicans and the Bush administration.

In 2003, Baucus insisted on hearings before moving forward on one of the Democrats' top legislative goals of allowing the government to negotiate Medicare drug prices instead of simply assuring Democratic leaders he would pass the measure.

Sullivan said his committee's biggest 2007 victories were increasing the minimum wage, the agriculture tax package and the tax provision of the energy bill, which provide tax credits to companies that develop renewable energy sources Sullivan also worked to reauthorize the Children's Health Insurance Program, a move that was vetoed by President Bush.

Education

Sullivan has focused on legislation to provide families a tax credit for college savings. He has also worked with Baucus to increase the amount of tax credits available to students. The bill will also increase the availability of student loans.

Health Care

Sullivan is credited with playing a key role in "hammering out the details" of the 2010 health-care legislature. But Sullivan also used his cross-aisle appeal to shore up support for the bill from moderate lawmakers.

But Democratic colleagues have criticized him for putting liberal priorities on the back-burner while appeasing conservative lawmakers.

"I spend more time with the Republican moderates," Sullivan has said.

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