Democrats Emerge: the Would-Be House Chairmen
Standards of Official Conduct (Ethics)–Under Republican control, investigations of former Majority Leader Tom DeLay were stalled while members squabbled about the rules and staff. If made committee chair, expect Howard Berman of California, now involved in the hearings over the Mark Foley page scandal, to use his new power to investigate the so-called culture of corruption.
Transportation and Infrastructure–-The committee is not known for its partisan rancor, and Minnesota's James Oberstar would probably do the same thing as chairman that he does as ranking Democrat–push for generous transportation bills and send plenty of earmarks back home.
Veterans Affairs–California's liberal Bob Filner, an outspoken critic of the Iraq war, has highlighted what he sees as the government's inadequate response to issues like post-traumatic stress disorder and its handling of the loss of a laptop containing veterans' personal information.
Ways and Means–New York City's fiery Charles Rangel is poised to take the chairmanship of the committee, which has jurisdiction over taxes, tariffs, and a number of entitlement programs. The 18-term congressman, who voted against the 2002 resolution authorizing war in Iraq, has hinted that he might move to cut funding for the war if made chairman, a statement that has been jumped on by Republicans but that Democrats have largely been cool to. Expect a fierce defense of funding for social programs and opposition to the Bush tax cuts.
Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence–California's Jane Harman is the Democrats' ranking member, but some of her terrorism votes have angered party members. Despite being the only member of Congress ever impeached and removed as a federal judge, Florida's Alcee Hastings has the backing of Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi and the liberal credentials to win him the chairmanship.
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