Lobbyists launch campaign on centrists--Seek to deny them leadership of congressional committees

The Washington Times ^ | November 29, 2010 | Sean Lengell

[jazusamo]

Conservative lobbies are pressing House Republicans to keep centrists from controlling key congressional panels, as House GOP leaders gather this week to pick committee leaders for the 112th Congress.

FreedomWorks has launched a public campaign against Michigan Rep. Fred Upton, who wants to lead the House Energy and Commerce Committee, saying he hasn't done enough to cut federal spending and has sided too often with Democrats.

And a coalition of more than 20 conservative groups has opposed California Rep. Jerry Lewis' bid to become the top House appropriator, saying he has "thwarted many efforts to rein in ever increasing appropriations bills, to cut or scale back wasteful and duplicative programs, or to accept any meaningful reforms."

Mr. Lewis and Rep. Joe L. Barton of Texas, the energy panel's top Republican, have party-imposed term limits on their leadership posts. But both have petitioned the House Republican Steering Committee to waive the rule and allow them to serve as chairmen when the party takes control of Congress in early January.

The American Conservative Union, in a joint letter signed by 22 other conservative groups, warned presumptive-House Speaker John A. Boehner that granting a waiver to Mr. Lewis "would be a signal to the millions of independents and members of the tea party movement who took a chance on Republicans in the election, that you have ignored their message of change, and that instead it will be business as usual in Washington."

Mr. Boehner, who heads the steering committee, has had a tense relationship with Mr. Barton and may be reluctant to grant him another leadership term. If the Texan's request is denied, Mr. Upton, who won a 13th term in the House on Nov. 2, is next in line...

[jazusamo]

Good...The article doesn't mention that Upton coauthored the CFL bill outlawing incandescent bulbs.

[Paladin2]

Upton hasn’t a clue that the Feds have Zer0 business regulating lighting technology.

[jazusamo]

Exactly! He’s an establishment elitist when he legislates like that.

[Paladin2]

I heard him interviewed on the radio and he really had NO clue.

The radio host even gave him a second chance to give the correct response, but the attempt to save him went WAY over his head. Sad really.