U.S. Sen. Daniel K. Inouye's possible ascension as chairman of the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee would give the Islands a powerful voice in shaping national aviation, shipping and communications policy.

The selection would enlarge Inouye's stature in the Senate, where he is the third-ranking Democrat in seniority, and enable him to oversee industries critical to the Islands' economy.

Democrats, who appear to have taken control of the Senate pending final election results in Virginia, have not formally made leadership decisions. But Inouye is in line for the chairmanship and said yesterday he was looking forward to the responsibility. Inouye also would become chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee's defense subcommittee, which controls military spending that makes up a significant portion of state's economy.

Inouye is the co-chairman on the Commerce Committee now through his close friendship and partnership with the chairman, U.S. Sen. Ted Stevens, R-Alaska. The arrangement began after Stevens took over the committee in January 2005 and Inouye said they would continue to work cooperatively.

"I had a chat with Sen. Stevens before the election and we pledged to each other that no matter what happens, we will continue with our tested system of bipartisanship and we've been doing this for the past 25 years and it's worked," Inouye said.

PUSHED FOR SPLIT

Inouye has suggested in the past that the committee be divided because of its broad jurisdiction. The panel handles legislation involving highways, railroads, aviation, shipping, communications, interstate commerce, consumer products, sports, pipelines, marine fisheries and aeronautical and space sciences.

"You literally could not overestimate the importance of this," said retired banker Walter Dods, who believes Inouye's influence might help the state if it falls into an economic downturn. "Dan is going to be in the position to do incredible things for Hawai'i."

Jim Tollefson, president of the Chamber of Commerce of Hawai'i, said an Inouye chairmanship would be positive for the state. "He'll have more power to direct the activities of the committee," he said.

U.S. Sen. Daniel Akaka, D-Hawai'i, is in line to chair the Senate Veterans Affairs Committee, which has jurisdiction over medical treatment and disability compensation for the nation's 24.5 million military veterans. Akaka also could lead subcommittees on military readiness, national parks, and federal government and work force management.

"It will be really a boost if I become chairman of the Veterans Committee," Akaka said. "My experience, as I've already indicated, is that I will be really looking for some structural changes for veterans' benefits and services and also to upgrade the funding level for veterans by attaching it to the costs of war instead of being at the bottom of the scale."

HOUSE MOVES

Over in the House, U.S. Rep. Neil Abercrombie, D-Hawai'i, is expected to become chairman of the House Armed Services Committee's subcommittee on tactical air and land forces. He said Tuesday night that seniority in the delegation would give the state considerable political clout for its size.

Inouye, who met with reporters at his Honolulu office yesterday, said Democrats taking power should be careful to avoid partisanship or bickering.

"We're in the midst of a war no matter which way you cut the pie," he said. "And if we're going to get out of this, and save some anguish among the people of the United States, we are going to have to be responsible.

"The worst thing we can do right now is say, 'Oh, boy, this is the time for revenge' or 'This is when we get them.' I can assure you I won't be a party to that kind of policy."

Reach Derrick DePledge at ddepledge@honoluluadvertiser.com and Gordon Y.K. Pang at gpang@honoluluadvertiser.com.