File photo
A Rules seat has been saved for Doris Matsui.
Posted on 02/09/2005 3:01:51 PM PST by NormsRevenge
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) is reserving the remaining slot on the exclusive Rules Committee for Doris Matsui, the widow of her close friend, the late Rep. Bob Matsui (D-Calif.). Doris Matsui is expected to win his seat in a March 8 Democratic primary.
Though the plum position is highly coveted by lawmakers who seek the floor time given Rules Committee members, Pelosi has had some difficulty filling it and it remains open after the rosters of nearly all the other committees have been determined.
Pelosi’s first pick for the panel was Rep. Dennis Cardoza (Calif.), a member of the Congressional Hispanic Caucus. But he declined the offer after initially lobbying for it, allowing Pelosi to keep the seat open for Matsui. Rep. Sheila Jackson Lee (Texas) is still interested in the high-profile position, according to Democratic aides.
Pelosi declined to comment on whom she’ll pick for the slot but indicated that she’s made a decision. “You’ll see in the next couple of weeks. You’ll be pleasantly surprised. I look forward to making an appointment.”
But Rep. Louise Slaughter (D-N.Y.), the ranking member on Rules, said Pelosi has already vetted Matsui with her and that her appointment to Rules is a certainty, although stressing that the decision ultimately rests with Pelosi.
“Doris Matsui will be our fourth member [of Rules] when she comes to Congress,” Slaughter told The Hill. “We’re hoping that she will do well in the primary.”
Matsui faces an open primary March 8, with 12 candidates, but is expected to receive more than 50 percent of the vote, which would automatically send her to Washington under California law. If she wins the primary but falls short of the 50 percent threshold, she would proceed to a May 3 vote.
“Pelosi has asked me how I felt about it, and we’re all delighted on the committee about welcoming Doris,” Slaughter said.
Slaughter acknowledged that several lawmakers had hoped to get on Rules but said their interest waned when lawmakers were told how much work serving on the rules panel entails.
“At the [Democratic] retreat this weekend, there was a picture of the Capitol at dawn, and I pointed out that the only light that was on was in the Rules Committee.”
She added, “It’s a hardship post for a lot of members. Some members come here to write legislation.”
Cardoza confirmed that the position had been offered to him. He said, “The committees I have right now better serve the needs of my district. That was the crux of that.” Cardozo serves on Agriculture, International Relations and Resources.
Pelosi declined to elaborate on any similar offers she might have made, saying, “That would have been a private conversation.”
Several sources indicated that Jackson Lee had made a strong push to win a seat on the high-profile panel. But Jackson Lee said in a statement, “As a member of the Democratic Policy and Steering Committee, I do not comment on Members’ committee assignments or my own.”
“Furthermore, I believe that Leader Nancy Pelosi and the leadership as a body are doing a great job in making difficult decisions. I would recommend that you ask them for any further comments or answers. Thanks for your interest,” she added.
The Matsui campaign said it is focused on winning the primary but did not deny that a slot on Rules awaited Matsui in Washington.
“Mrs. Matsui has had limited conversation with Mrs. Pelosi regarding the possibility of working with the leadership and serving on an exclusive committee,” said Matsui’s spokesman, Nick Papas. “For now, she’s focused on discussing her vision for Sacramento with voters through the 5th District.”
A Rules seat has been saved for Doris Matsui.
Does this suprise anyone? Another bought-and-paid-for slobbering leftist??? Comrade Pelosi is only going to be pulling the puppet strings again. This is crap -- this law should be changed so they cannot put some lock-step hack into positions for which they are not at all qualified (but what would expect for a liberal Dem, right?) ----
I take it that you aren't happy with 95% of Congress.
I take it that you aren't happy with 95% of Congress.
=======
Now that you brought the subject up....(chuckle)
Disclaimer: Opinions posted on Free Republic are those of the individual posters and do not necessarily represent the opinion of Free Republic or its management. All materials posted herein are protected by copyright law and the exemption for fair use of copyrighted works.