Democrats Emerge: the Would-Be House Chairmen
Financial Services–Barney Frank of Massachusetts, a longtime advocate of affordable housing, has pledged a recommitment to its construction if made chairman of the committee.
Government Reform–The committee's jurisdiction includes many of the investigative functions of the House, and Henry Waxman has made clear he intends to use that power if made chairman. As chair of the health and environment subcommittee in the early '90s,the Los Angeles congressman was the man responsible for the well-publicized hearings that brought top tobacco executives to the Hill. As ranking Democrat on Government Reform, Waxman has relentlessly called for investigations and sought information from the Bush administration on everything from prewar intelligence to its dealings with energy companies.
Homeland Security–A former volunteer firefighter, Mississippi's Bennie Thompson has prioritized first responders as ranking Democrat on the committee, most recently criticizing the GOP for blocking a program to improve communication for police and fire agencies. Thompson has been a tireless critic of what he characterizes as halfhearted implementation of the 9/11 Commission's recommendations and ongoing vulnerabilities to terrorist attack. He has also used his position to lambaste the government's response to Hurricane Katrina.
House Administration–As chair of the committee overseeing the internal functioning of the House and federal elections, Juanita Millender-McDonald of Long Beach would probably continue expressing her concerns about voting machines without a paper trail and her opposition to requiring a photo ID and proof of citizenship for voting.
International Relations–Congress's only Holocaust survivor, Tom Lantos of California, is generally more hawkish on Iraq than his Democratic colleagues, staunchly pro-Israel, and sensitive to the genocide in Sudan.
Judiciary–John Conyers of Detroit, a veteran of the panels handling the impeachment of Presidents Nixon and Clinton, seemed eager to go for a hat trick when he pushed a resolution to explore impeaching Bush. Democratic leaders have been less than receptive to the suggestion, however, and Conyers himself has backed away from it. Still, expect oversight hearings from the vocal antiwar critic.
Resources–From West Virginia's coal country, Nick Rahall has displayed a consistent concern for the health of coal miners. But he also has solid credentials as an environmentalist, including opposition to drilling in the Arctic National Wildlife Reserve and opening land in the West for coal mining without competitive bidding.
Rules–Louise Slaughter of New York has vocally opposed the GOP's manipulation of House rules, such as extending debate while cajoling Republicans to vote the party line, and pushed for more aggressive reform of earmarks.
Science–The committee's not too controversial, and neither is Bart Gordon of Tennessee, the Democrat who would head the panel. But he has still managed to needle the Bush administration in some areas, such as about reports it has suppressed science on global warming.
Small Business–Nydia Velázquez of New York City has called the years under Republican Chairman Don Manzullo some of the least productive in the committee's history and has been a frequent critic of the Small Business Administration's response to business needs after Hurricane Katrina.
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