By Jordan Heller
DNAinfo Reporter/Producer
MANHATTAN — Sen. Chuck Schumer lost out on a shot at Senate majority leader when Sen. Harry Reid won reelection earlier this month, but it seems Reid has awarded New York's senior senator a consolation prize.
In a letter sent to Democratic senators Monday, Reid said he intends to nominate Schumer as the head of a new office that will consolidate the Democratic caucus's policy and communications operations.
"We must better integrate our legislative- and message-crafting functions into a central, coordinated nucleus managing policy, press and politics," the letter reads.
"That starts with uniting the Democratic Policy Committee and the Senate Democratic Communications Center into a joint operation. I have asked Senator Schumer, whose communications abilities and tactical skills we all greatly respect, to lead this effort as Chairman of the new office."
The new position will afford greater influence to Schumer, who already serves as the Senate's number three Democrat and chairman of the Rules Committee.
"This is a good move," said Sen. Claire McCaskill, Democrat of Missouri, in a statement, according to Politico.
"It's going to help us better communicate our policies to middle class Americans and move the country forward in passing meaningful legislation that will help create jobs and get our economy back on track."
