I thought I should highlight the stellar performance of two House newcomers, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Allison Schwartz, who are already making a big difference for us in Washington. After seeing some dissappointments from some better known freshman members (who shall remain unnamed), it's nice to know that we sent a few REAL Democrats to the Hill this cycle.
Debbie Wasserman Schultz, Florida's 20th Congressional District
Last week, while more than a few House Democrats decided to side with right wing Republicans in interfering in a personal family matter, Debbie Wasserman Schultz, who replaced Peter Deutsch, helped to lead the fight on our side. As a former Florida State Senator who led a similar fight against the other Governor Bush on this exact same issue in 2003. She used her previous experience on the issue to help persuade others to fight against the bill. A Democratic leadership staffer quoted in Roll Call went on to call her a "rising star" within the party. Do we have a challenger for Mel Martinez in 2006?
Here's a profile of her from The Hill:
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/110404/ss_schultz.html
Here's a great editorial she wrote in The Hill as well:
http://www.thehill.com/thehill/export/TheHill/News/Frontpage/111604/ss_schultz.html
Allyson Schwartz, Pennsylvania's 13th Congressional District
When Democratic Governor Ed Rendell needed funds to rescue mass transit systems in Philadelphia, Schwartz helped to push through the $52.5 million dollars in funding that helped to make it happen.
Gov. Rendell calling, an aide said.
U.S. Rep. Allyson Y. Schwartz left a meeting and took the call in another room. She returned, beaming. "I told him about the transportation money," she said. "I knew he'd want to know."
The Philadelphia-area Democrat had just pushed through $52.5 million in federal funds for local transportation and infrastructure projects.
This is about as cool as it gets for a House freshman in the minority party. In this Congress, with the Republicans feeling "feisty," as Schwartz put it, she has all the clout of the person in charge of holes at a doughnut factory.
After a little more than two months in office, Schwartz, 56, said: "I'm trying not to act like a freshman."
Good to see someone standing up for mass transit over yet more highways (the last thing we need with oil getting more and more expensive). Schwartz should be considered a prime suspect to replace Arlen Specter in 2010, and I think she'd make a great Senator.
If anyone else has some nice progress reports about freshman, I'd love to hear them.