WASHINGTON -- In a major boost to his hopes of being named Minority Whip in the upcoming Congress, Rep. Steny Hoyer received on Tuesday the formal endorsements of seven powerful committee chairs.
In a "Dear Colleague" letter sent to the newly elected Democratic caucus, Rep. Barney Frank (D-Mass), who chairs the House Financial Services Committee, Rep. Howard L. Berman (D-Cali.), who chairs the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.V.) who chairs the House Natural Resources Committee, Rep. Bob Filner (D-Cali.), who chairs the House Veterans' Affairs Committee, Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-Tex.), who chairs the House Committee on Intelligence, Rep. Edward J. Markey (D-Mass.), who chairs the Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming, and Rep. Henry Waxman (D-Cali.) who chairs the House Energy and Commerce Committee, argue that the Maryland Democrat has earned the right to retain the title of the number two ranking House Democrat.
As Committee Chairs, we have worked closely with Leader Hoyer for years. We have seen, up close, his inclusive leadership and his strong relationships with Members from across our Caucus. He played a crucial role in the legislative achievements that made the 111th Congress so productive for America's middle class.
Now, Leader Hoyer is ready to hit the ground running as Democratic Whip. He is one of our party's most effective messengers, with the ability to challenge Republicans on the Floor, build support for our party's middle-class policies across America, and fight back against the special-interest money that played such an important role for Republicans in this election. Like us, Congressman Hoyer understands that Americans do not support the Republican agenda of repealing health care reform, loosening rules that protect consumers and our environment, privatizing Social Security, and funding tax cuts for the wealthy with billions of dollars in new debt.
These are not, to be sure, all of the chairman in the caucus. And Hoyer's opponent for the post of Whip, Rep. James Clyburn (D-S.C.), still has a substantial chunk of support -- enough to keep the contest in doubt. But having the support of the party elders does help frame a narrative that a Hoyer win would mean less riffs and friction within the caucus. And at a time in which Democrats are hoping to at least exhibit a united front, it doesn't hurt to have the aforementioned chairmen in one's corner.
The full letter, passed along by a Democratic House aide, is below:
November 9, 2010
Dear Colleague:Congratulations on your election, which we know took tremendous effort and commitment in this difficult political environment. Americans sent us a strong message about their dissatisfaction with the pace of our economic recovery, and we must show them that we hear them loud and clear. We can begin to do so by choosing a strong leadership team committed to aggressively defining our opponents, defending the middle class, and winning back the House majority. That's why we're writing to encourage you to support Majority Leader Steny Hoyer for the role of Democratic Whip.
As Committee Chairs, we have worked closely with Leader Hoyer for years. We have seen, up close, his inclusive leadership and his strong relationships with Members from across our Caucus. He played a crucial role in the legislative achievements that made the 111th Congress so productive for America's middle class.
Now, Leader Hoyer is ready to hit the ground running as Democratic Whip. He is one of our party's most effective messengers, with the ability to challenge Republicans on the Floor, build support for our party's middle-class policies across America, and fight back against the special-interest money that played such an important role for Republicans in this election. Like us, Congressman Hoyer understands that Americans do not support the Republican agenda of repealing health care reform, loosening rules that protect consumers and our environment, privatizing Social Security, and funding tax cuts for the wealthy with billions of dollars in new debt.
Steny Hoyer is a tested leader who can help Democrats rise to the challenge of the next Congress, protect the interests of the middle class, and win back the majority. For those reasons, we support Steny Hoyer as our next Democratic Whip, and we hope that you will do the same.
Sincerely yours,
Barney Frank
Chairman, House Financial Services CommitteeHoward L. Berman
Chairman, House Foreign Affairs CommitteeNick J. Rahall, II
Chairman, House Natural Resources CommitteeBob Filner
Chairman, House Veterans' Affairs CommitteeSilvestre Reyes
Chairman, House Committee on IntelligenceHenry Waxman
Chairman, House Energy and Commerce CommitteeEdward J. Markey
Chairman, House Committee on Energy Independence and Global Warming