Question for those who stayed awake

This question is for those who actually stayed awake in civics class (in
the US).

Joe Lieberman is taking over the chairmanship of the Senate Homeland
Security Committee. I thought that the majority party held all the
chairmanships. Isn't Lieberman an independent? How does he get a
chairmanship?

Note that I do *not* want to start anything political, I'm just
interested in the workings/mechanics of it.

Jean B....

I heard among other things, that he was keeping his seniority...

Chakolate...

Jean B....

Oh, that didn't answer your question--and that for all intents
and purposes, he still a D in spite of having run as an I.
(If people want to bicker about this, let's take it elsewhere.)

Chakolate...

It doesn't seem right, but my understanding of anything political is
minimal at best. :-p

Jean B....

Mine is probably on a par with yours.

Anne Jackson...

No, let's not....

He should keep his seniority, I think.