December 12, 2006

New Dems Bolster Influence by Securing Key Committee Slots

Today, the House New Democratic Coalition (NDC), the largest centrist coalition in Congress, got a boost on their agenda for the 110th Congress when House Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi and the House Democratic Steering Committee named the Members who will serve on influential House committees.
 

It was announced that six New Dem Members -- including three New Dem Vice-Chairs:  Reps. Ron Kind (Wisc.), Artur Davis (Ala.), and Joe Crowley (N.Y.) -- will be joining the House Ways & Means Committee.  In addition to the Vice-Chairs, NDC members Shelley Berkley (Nev.), Kendrick Meek (Fla.) and Allyson Schwartz (Pa.) were also appointed to the tax, healthcare and trade writing Ways and Means Committee.

 

New Dems also received key slots on the Energy & Commerce, Financial Services, Armed Services, and Transportation & Infrastructure Committees.

 

"New Dems have always been the go to Members of Congress on a range of issues, and our influence will continue to grow into the next Congress.  These committee appointments will help us serve Speaker-designate Pelosi and our brand of pragmatic, pro-growth public policies well," said NDC Chair Rep. Ellen Tauscher.

 

"These committee assignments show that New Dems in the House have become the go-to group on a wide swath of issues," said NDC Vice Chair Rep. Adam Smith.  "Already, two of the top five leadership positions in the House Democratic Caucus were held by New Dems.  Three of the Ways and Means slots went to my fellow New Dem Vice-Chairs Joe Crowley, Artur Davis, and Ron Kind.  These assignments, including those for freshman members that helped us take back the House; indicate Speaker-designee Pelosi recognizes the New Dems as key players in the Democratic Caucus."

 

Rep. Ron Kind expressed a similar sentiment noting that "It is a tremendous honor to be appointed to serve on the House Ways and Means Committee in the new Democratic majority. I look forward to working together with our Chairman Charles Rangel, Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi, Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, and the other distinguished members of the committee to address the tough challenges before us on a broad range of issues."

 

"I embrace this wonderful opportunity to serve on this key committee.  I will take advantage of my position to expand health care coverage, protect Social Security and promote job growth.  I will also work to reform our tax policy and uplift our economy through better negotiated trade deals that will create more jobs and better employment standards," said Rep. Crowley.

 

Finally, Rep. Davis added that "I appreciate the speaker's confidence in my work and my potential, as well as that of my colleagues, to be effective members of the Ways and Means Committee."

 

Below is a list of NDC Members and Members-elect and their new committee assignments:

 

Ways and Means Committee:

  • Congressman Ron Kind of Wisconsin
  • Congresswoman Shelley Berkley of Nevada
  • Congressman Joe Crowley of New York
  • Congressman Kendrick Meek of Florida
  • Congresswoman Allyson Schwartz of Pennsylvania
  • Congressman Artur Davis of Alabama

Energy and Commerce Committee

  • Congresswoman Jane Harman of California
  • Congresswoman Darlene Hooley of Oregon
  • Congressman Charlie Melancon of Louisiana
  • Congressman-elect Baron Hill of Indiana
     

Financial Services Committee:

  • Congressman-elect Ron Klein of Florida
  • Congressman-elect Tim Mahoney of Florida
  • Congressman-elect Ed Perlmutter of Colorado

 

Armed Services Committee:

  • Congressman-elect Joe Courtney of Connecticut
  • Congresswoman-elect Gabby Giffords of Arizona
  • Congresswoman-elect Kirsten Gillibrand of New York
  • Congressman-elect Patrick Murphy of Pennsylvania
  • Congressman-elect Joe Sestak of Pennsylvania

 

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee:

  • Congressman-elect Michael Arcuri of New York
  • Congressman-elect Bruce Braley of Iowa
  • Congressman-elect Chris Carney of Pennsylvania
  • Congressman-elect Heath Schuler of North Carolina

 

Education and Workforce Committee:

  • Congressman-elect Jason Altmire of Pennsylvania

 

Government Reform Committee:

  • Congressman-elect Chris Murphy of Connecticut

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