Battle Over Next Oversight Chair Heats Up

As of Tuesday there is no official race for the chairmanship of the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee -- a spot created once Rep. Henry Waxman, the former chair, became head of the Energy and Commerce Committee.

But behind the scenes on Capitol Hill, there is a growing division between those who think seniority should determine the next chair and those who think the post should be decided on merit.

Rep. Ed Towns (D-NY), who is next in line to take over Oversight, has begun a lobbying effort to claim the post. But there is growing criticism over his absenteeism from committee hearings during the past year -- according to the Hill, he missed at least 53 such events. And sources tell the Huffington Post that if leadership had its way, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) would be ascending to the head of the committee.

Cummings is a far more active presence on the Hill and has been heralded for his work investigating FEMA as well as other matters. His reputation is such that, having stressed that he would not run against Towns, one aide close to the proceedings nevertheless predicted that if another member were to nominate him, Cummings would win the Steering Committee vote. A full caucus vote, the aide said, would be closer.

At this point in time, however, only one of the congressmen is officially campaigning for the post. According to The Hill, Towns has recruited the support of three Oversight subcommittee chairmen -- Reps. Dennis Kucinich, Danny Davis and Lacy Clay -- and is securing the backing of members of the Congressional Black Caucus and his fellow New York Democrats.

Cumming's office reiterated its position on Tuesday that they won't enter the ring if Towns wants the position.

Another aide on the Hill, however, said a compromise solution is being bandied about: whereby Waxman would take some of the oversight responsibilities with him to Energy and Commerce (like, say, investigating the oil industry), Towns would be made Oversight chair, but much of the investigatory work and hearings would be given to subcommittees.

"Leadership is trying to find a way to make sure Towns seniority is respected," said the source, "but to move the responsibilities to someone else."

As of now, members are in something of a holding pattern on the issue. An aide to Rep. Rosa DeLauro, who chairs the Steering Committee, says that there is currently no scheduled vote on the next chair. Members are on recess until Congress convenes a session on the auto industry in early December. The Steering Committee can hold a hearing without Congress being officially active, but it usually waits for members to come back to D.C.

Comments

[haramagoti]

Ed Towns can't seem to make it Into Town.

[karela]

This is surely one of the reforms that need to be made in Washington. We find ourselves in times of great need and crisis in a situation where we must have important leaders who are not up to the job, because of senority rules, while the person best able to do the job is wasted. We've had some very bad teachers for years because of tenure. When I was in nursing school, my instructor was incapable of teaching because she was severely alchoholic--but she had tenure. Let us all hope that I was able to fill in my own education because I saw the importance of it, but there were others in my class who did not. If Towns missed 53 committee meetings last year, then he is likely not the best choice for the job. If Cummings is the best person at this time of need then he should have the job. Down with senority when it unrelated to merit. Ted Stevens spent billions of dollars on Alaska and left other states in need, because he could by way of his senority in the Senate. The Senate is not a private gentleman's club. It belongs to the people of America and should act like it.

[RezidentBivrip]

What is up with that guys NOSE?! I can see the bottom of his brain through that thing!!!

[Rosey]

Get a life! This guy is the best thing that has happened to the Senate in a long time..... and especially in comparison to the wimps on both sides!

[CVN65]

Waxman? Are you serious? He is a cartoon character; nobody outside of the left wing takes him seriously.

[RezidentBivrip]

Hey! I can make fun of his noseholes while still supporting his politics. I mean crap, look at Obama's ears! OOPH!!! But he effin rules!!!

[pir anha]

*sigh*. the comment section here sure is going to hell.

[richardmcnoggin]

He picks it too much...

[mcantwell]

Yes, Competency should be a key factor. Otherwise we would see more Sarah Palins and Joe Plumbers in Washington. Eight years ago America failed to use the "Competency" standard and we have since paid for it dearly.

[wvinvent]

The Dems are starting to self destruct. They are acting like they did last time they had so much Congressional power: They are becoming more concerned about who gets what (from committee chairs to earmarks and money goodies) than they are about doing what is right. If this keeps up, there will be a BIG swing to the GOP in 2 years.

Congressional oversight is too big to be awarded to anyone but the MOST COMPETENT leader.

[CVN65]

And it is exactly what the GOP did soon after gaining power. Both parties are led by corruptocrats that don't gives a rat's arse about the common man or the country.

[Cinnamonape]

Being concerned with WHO occupies a Committee post is all about finding the person who can do it RIGHT and what they will focus upon. It sounds as if Towns simply believes that his Seniority is enough to earn him the position while Elijah Cummings has done a lot by uncovering what went terribly wrong with FEMA's debacle with Katrina. So Waxman's competition for Energy & Commerce is all about opening the Senate up to MERIT and accomplishments.

Waxman's Committee was one of the few that actually accomplished very much in the face of the Republican filibusters and threatened Presidential vetos. Of course, that Committee isn't a "legislati­on-generat­ing" committee.

[cheferic]

Has the oversight committee done ANYTHING? It is as if when they notice something-that is tantamount to acting upon it -all of the crap in the last 8 years and this committee the most ineffectual of them all and Waxman the chief bureaucrat in charge gets a promotion -now we can expect the same do nothingness on energy that we had on oversight.

[Harmiclir]

Ed Towns is perhaps the least respected member of the NYS Congressional delegation. He has had a primary battle in each of his last two reelection campaigns and nearly lost both of them. His absenteeism from the committee is exceeded only by his absenteeism from his district.

Ed Towns "investigating" anything is a joke. Making Ed Towns the Chair of the Investigations Committee is an even bigger joke. "Respecting the seniority system" by making Ed Towns the Chair of the Investigations Committee is the biggest joke of them all.

Seriously, look at any ranking of "effectiveness" for members of Congress and you'll find Towns in the bottom ten percent. He cashes his paycheck and gets to be called "Honorable" and that constitutes a day of hard work for Ed. I wouldn't be surprised if he's booted out of Congress in 2010 if the brilliant politicians in his home district can find a way to keep from fighting each other instead of him.

At least President Obama will have no need to fear any meaningful investigations from the House side during his first term--and "Holy Joe" on the Senate side owes his continuing position to the good graces of the next President.

[pir anha]

"His absenteeism from the committee is exceeded only by his absenteeism from his district."

which leaves one to wonder just where he spends his time, and what he's doing there.

[freaktown]

"if leadership had its way, Rep. Elijah Cummings (D-MD) would be ascending to the head of the committee"

well then that's what should happen. what good is the "leadership" if they cant lead?

[Grunty1]

["Leadership is trying to find a way to make sure Towns seniority is respected," said the source, "but to move the responsibilities to someone else." ]

How ridiculous does that sound? If he isn't capable of doing the job and isn't even willing to show to committee meetings, just give the job, and the power that comes with the title, to someone else! Oversight is going to be a hugely important position as the crimes of Bush are investigated.

[Yermammy]

KUCINICH. If this new administration wants to have ANY credibility, they had seriously better appoint Dennis Kucinich. This is the most overlooked, under appreciated and truest patriot we have in the Democratic Party. Waxman has reams of evidence against this administration and yet did nothing. Dennis will hold people accountable, even if they're a Democrat. If that isn't a man that loves this country, I do not know who is. Here's to Dennis!

[Grunty1]

The Obama Adminstration really has nothing to do with this.
It is all internal to the House.

[OB-GYN]

He takes accountability for the American people most seriously. He would be great for this chair. I am thankful for the likes of Dennis Kucinich in Congress.

[huffyjive]

Dig them nostrils, dig, dig, dig.

[Spud777]

Merit only.

[AdLib]

Sounds like Junior Soprano being propped up to look like the head of The Family while Tony Soprano remained in the background as the guy really pulling the strings.

Whadya gonna do? Towns is a made guy.

[momoko]

Senionrity­... isn't that a thing in the past?

[springsm]

Well it IS time to change things isn't it? Why not start here. Seniority doesn't mean alot in WA DC...you are either older than dirt, more corrupt that others or you have staying ability. How about putting someone with credibility and integrity in these committee head positions. Geez...the ole boy brotherhood needs to go.