Enzi ‘pissed’ at being passed up for Finance seat

Sen. Mike Enzi (R-Wyo.) is angry with Republican leaders for choosing a more junior senator to sit on the powerful Finance Committee.

Minority Leader Mitch McConnell (R-Ky.) named Sen. John Sununu (R-N.H.), who is facing one of the toughest reelection campaigns this year, and not the more senior Wyoming lawmaker, to the panel that oversees taxes, trade and entitlement issues.

{mosads}When asked about his reaction to the decision, which was announced Thursday, a frustrated Enzi told The Hill: “Sure. I’m pissed.”

The spot opened up after former Sen. Trent Lott (R-Miss.) retired at the end of last year.

Enzi, a former accountant, is ending his second term this Congress and has openly sought the coveted seat ever since it was vacated by the senior senator from his state, Craig Thomas, who passed away last year.

But Enzi was bypassed last year also when McConnell handed the post to a more junior senator, John Ensign, rewarding the Nevadan for his work on the National Republican Senatorial Committee. Senior senators generally have an edge in winning seats on popular committees.

Some suspect that McConnell may have selected the first-termer Sununu this time around because the New Hampshirite is considered one of the most endangered Republicans facing reelection. Selecting him to the post could allow Sununu to make a mark on some of the most critical issues facing this Congress, including an economic stimulus plan that will be marked up next week.

A Republican leadership aide said McConnell “chose a member who was a very good pick for the committee. Unfortunately there are a lot more excellent senators than there are excellent committee slots.”

The aide didn’t know McConnell’s motivations for choosing Sununu.  

When asked if it had anything to do with the fact that Sununu is facing a tough reelection battle, the aide said: “It certainly doesn’t hurt.”

Sununu dismissed suggestions that naming him to the post had anything to do with his reelection bid, saying it was due largely to his work on a measure to end taxes on the Internet and his background on small-business issues.

“I don’t think most voters pay a great deal of attention to your committee assignments; I think they pay attention to what legislation you’re working on, and whether you’re effective and successfully passing legislation that means a lot to your state,” Sununu said.

“The conference gave the leader the ability to make appointments . . . so knowing that Mitch had the ability to make the appointment, I spoke to him early in the process and made my case,” Sununu said.

“Mike Enzi is a senior member of our conference, and recognized as a true leader among his colleagues," McConnell said. "He is one of the most influential members of the Republican Conference, serving as both chairman and now ranking member of one of the Senate’s largest and most influential committees — with a committee staff of more than 20 professionals. I value his counsel, and much like the people of Wyoming, I know him to be a powerful and effective advocate for his state and nation.”