Rahall to seek top Dem spot on transportation panel

Reps. Jerry Costello (Ill.) and Peter DeFazio (Ore.) are two other senior Democrats on the transportation panel who are believed to be interested in the ranking member slot. Costello Monday took himself out of the running for the ranking slot on the Science and Technology Committee even though he was next in line to replace retiring Chairman Bart Gordon (D-Tenn.). He said he wanted to focus on legislation in the transportation panel, where he will rank at least third among Democrats.

Rahall would presumably get the job if Democrats simply follow the seniority ladder.

Rahall’s move could open the door to a possible Democratic battle to lead the party on the Natural Resources Committee.

Rep. Ed Markey (D-Mass.) — who is actually a more senior Democrat on the panel than Rahall — might be interested in the perch, where he would be a top Democratic voice on the Gulf of Mexico oil spill and fossil fuel issues.