Senate Democrats voted to allow U.S. Sen. Joe Lieberman (I-Conn.) to keep his chairmanship of the Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee Tuesday.

Members suggested he be stripped of his chairmanship after he endorsed U.S. Sen. John McCain (R-Ariz.) for president. Lieberman is a former Democrat and caucuses with the majority party.

U.S. Sen. Susan Collins (R-Bangor), the ranking member on the committee, issued the following statement following the vote:

“I am delighted that Senator Lieberman will once again be the chairman of the Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Committee. Working together, we have been able to enact major legislation that has helped to strengthen our protections against terrorist attacks, and we have coauthored significant legislation to reform government operations, to improve emergency preparedness, and to help to curtail wasteful spending. I look forward to our continued partnership.”