- Sat. Jul 5, 2008
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Two California Dems Are In Mix For Seat On Energy Panel
California Reps. Jerry McNerney and Doris Matsui have joined the list of Democratic lawmakers vying for one of three seats opening on the House Energy and Commerce Committee and have moved to the top of the list.
Del. Donna Christensen, D-V.I., has been considered the frontrunner for the open slot created by the pending retirement of Rep. Albert Wynn, D-Md., because she has the backing of the Congressional Black Caucus. Wynn, a member of a group, is scheduled to leave office in June and stepped down from the committee last month.
Democratic leadership and rank-and-file sources said one of the Californians has the inside track as Wynn's replacement. The seat is seen as a particular boon for McNerney because he is a top target of Republicans in November's elections.
"The issue is why the speaker would put [Christensen] on, when you have a marginal Frontline member who could benefit from being on it," said one Democratic leadership aide, referring to the party's program for helping vulnerable incumbents.
Spokesmen for McNerney and Matsui confirmed the lawmakers are interested in a seat on the committee. Matsui has made her intentions known in a letter to House Speaker Pelosi. One argument against either McNerney or Matsui getting the seat is that five California Democrats already serve on the panel.
The two lawmakers join a long list of members who hope to get Wynn's seat or one of two other seats that will open next year because Rep. Darlene Hooley, D-Ore., is retiring and Rep. Tom Allen, D-Maine, is running for the Senate.
The list of contenders includes freshman Reps. Bruce Braley, D-Iowa; John Sarbanes, D-Md., who has the backing of Majority Leader Hoyer; and Zack Space, D-Ohio.
Space has secured the backing of the entire Ohio Democratic delegation. They expressed their support in a letter Wednesday to Pelosi, which noted the state has no representation on the panel.
It is not clear when the position will be filled.
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5/2/2008 AM Contents
- Clinton, Obama Both Throw Weight Behind Chinese Currency Legislation
- Doan Done In By Battling White House
- House Republican Presses Case For Supplemental Markup
- Bush Calling For Additional Funding For Food Programs
- Republican Plan Aims To Increase Domestic Oil Production
- Two California Dems Are In Mix For Seat On Energy Panel
- Lawmakers Raise Concerns On China Censorship, Rights
- Advocates Push To Make Sure E-Prescriptions Are Filled
- FERC Disagrees With GAO Assessment Of Utility Mergers
- Senate Panel OKs FY09 Authorization Bill With Torture Ban
- Office Of Thrift Supervision Releases Rules On Credit Cards
- Farm Bill Conference Starts Moving Toward An Endgame
- Reid Files Cloture Motion, Even As FAA Impasse Remains
- Spratt: Negotiators Aim For Deal Next Week
- McCain Campaign Coordinates Messages With GOP Senators
PEOPLE
HEALTH MATTERS
BALANCE OF PAYMENTS
HILL BRIEFS
- Dingell, Markey Weigh In With FCC On Radio Merger
- Bush Expected To Sign Student Loan Legislation
- House Judiciary Threatens Karl Rove With Subpoena
- EPA Proposes Crackdown On Air Emissions Of Lead
- Justice Opens New Office To Handle FISA Requests
- Pelosi Not Pumped Up By Gas-Tax Suspension
