WASHINGTON (AP) — Sen. Patrick Leahy said Wednesday he would remain as chairman of the Senate Judiciary Committee rather than take over the top slot on the Appropriations Committee, which became vacant this week with the death of Sen. Daniel Inouye.

Leahy, a seven-term Democrat from Vermont, said in a statement that continuing to chair the Judiciary Committee while “maintaining my seniority on the Appropriations Committee will allow me to protect both the Constitution and Vermont.”