Democratic slots on Ways and Means announced

Reps. Pete Stark of California, John Lewis of Georgia and Richard Neal of Massachusetts are set to serve as ranking members of the Health, Oversight and Select Revenue Measures subcommittees, respectively, after chairing those subcommittees when Democrats controlled the House. 

Over at the Trade subcommittee, Rep. Jim McDermott (D-Wash.) grabbed the ranking spot after previously chairing the Income Security subcommittee. 

Rep. Lloyd Doggett (D-Texas), meanwhile, will slide in as ranking member of the Human Resources subcommittee, the panel formerly known as Income Security. And, finally, Rep. Xavier Becerra of California is slated to be ranking Democrat on the Social Security subcommittee.

The assignments are expected to be confirmed by the Democratic Steering Committee and caucus. They also come as the Ways and Means Committee gets ready for what could be a busy period, with issues like health care, trade and tax reform, among others, all likely to be on the docket. 

Rep. Sandy Levin (D-Mich.), the full committee’s ranking member, will not take a top subcommittee spot. Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.), a former chairman of the full committee who was censured by the House last year, has been granted an ex officio – essentially, nonvoting – slot on each Ways and Means subcommittee. 

Two Ways and Means Democrats will also serve on the House Budget Committee – Reps. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon and Bill Pascrell of New Jersey. 

The full subcommittee assignments, with ranking member listed first:

Health: Rep. Pete Stark of California, Rep. Mike Thompson of California, Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin, Rep. Earl Blumenauer of Oregon, Rep. Bill Pascrell of New Jersey.

Human Resources: Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, Rep. Joe Crowley of New York.

Oversight: Rep. John Lewis of Georgia, Rep. Xavier Becerra of California, Rep. Ron Kind of Wisconsin, Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington.

Select Revenue Measures: Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, Rep. Mike Thompson of California, Rep. John Larson of Connecticut, Rep. Shelly Berkley of Nevada.

Social Security: Rep. Xavier Becerra of California, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Rep. Shelly Berkley of Nevada, Rep. Pete Stark of California. 

Trade: Rep. Jim McDermott of Washington, Rep. Richard Neal of Massachusetts, Rep. Lloyd Doggett of Texas, Rep. Joe Crowley of New York, Rep. John Larson of Connecticut.