Senate Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) is stepping down from his leadership position in January. Axios reported late last week that McConnell wants to chair the Appropriations Committee if Republicans regain the majority.

Sen. Susan Collins (R-Maine) is the committee’s top Republican and would be the expected chair in a Republican majority.

“Senator Collins fully anticipates that in the next Congress, she will either be the chair or vice chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee,” a Collins spokesperson told Axios. “Of course, it is Senator McConnell’s prerogative to make his own decisions given his seniority,” Clark added.

McConnell previously said a post-leadership focus will be on increasing defense spending, as On Base reported in April.

Army National Guard photo by Spc. Georgia Napier