House Committees Take Shape
Republican House members chose their committee assignments for the next two years, while House Democrats are scheduled to make their decisions in early December.
The Senate is expect to reorganize this week, with some changes in at least one key trucking committee expected.
Eight Republican members of the House Transportation Committee are departing, some to new committees and, for those who were defeated in their re-election bids, to new careers away from Capitol Hill.
Rep. Jay Kim (R-Calif.) lost his primary election last spring, while Rep. John Fox (R-Pa.) lost his re-election bid. Rep. Frank Riggs (R-Calif.) ran briefly for the U.S. Senate seat held by Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) before dropping out of the race.
The Transportation Committee will gain six new Republicans. Fifth-term Rep. John T. Doolittle (R-Calif.) joins the panel from the House Agriculture Committee; he will retain his seat on the House Resources Committee. Since joining Congress in 1991, Mr. Doolittle has earned a reputation as a reformer. He authored the Truth-in-Testimony rule, which requires all witnesses testifying before House committees to disclose all federal grants and contracts in which they have an interest, allowing Congress and the public to know what an individual or group has to gain or lose financially by the testimony.
Newly elected Rep. Lee Terry (R-Neb.) brings the view of a local lawmaker to the committee. A lawyer, Mr. Terry has served on the Omaha City Council since 1991. He won the seat vacated by Rep. Jon Christensen (R), who ran unsuccessfully for governor.
Freshman Rep. Garry Miller (R-Calif.) replaces Mr. Kim both in Congress and on the committee. Mr. Miller defeated Mr. Kim in a June primary and easily defeated Democrat Eileen Ansari in November.
ep.-elect John Sweeney (R-N.Y.) won the congressional seat of Gerald Solomon (R), who is retiring.
Incoming Rep. Donald Sherwood (R-Pa.) has big shoes to fill. The car dealer is replacing long-time Rep. Joseph McDade (R), who was legendary for the amount of government money he brought to his northeastern Pennsylvania district.
New Rep. James DeMint (R-S.C.) replaces Rep. Bob Inglis (R), who ran unsuccessfully for the Senate against incumbent Ernest Hollings (D).
The commitee’s final size won’t be determined until Democrats make their committee picks. Democratic leaders are trying to convince incoming House Speaker Bob Livingston (R-La.) to increase the ratio of Democrats to Republicans to reflect the new makeup of the House following the Nov. 3 elections.
Democratic senators are expected to elect Sen. Harry Reid (D-Nev.) as minority whip this week, unless a surprise challenger appears. Sen. Byron Dorgan (D-N.D.) said he would not challenge Mr. Reid for the leadership post.
No significant changes are expected on the Senate Commerce Committee. Sen. John Warner (R-Va.) was not saying last week whether he would leave as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Committee’s Transportation Subcommittee. Mr. Warner is in line to become chairman of the Armed Services Committee.
