I could not think of a suitable picture to accompany the story. Having to write this almost made me cry. So here is an onion.
Just a brief note about the committee assignments, what, why how and such.
Who Hands Out The Assignments? : There are rules adopted by the US House Of Representatives which layout basic rules. Separately there are rules adopted by the Democratic congressional caucus which lay out in detail what, who, how the assignments are made while complying with the Rules setout by the House. These rules are agreed to by the House Democratic Caucus. It might make a tedious reading but here is the link — (go straight to rule 16 for committee specific stuff) https://www.dems.gov/caucus-rules-of-116th-congress
Surely The Rules Are Stacked?: After that time when Herbert Hoover snagged the Party nomination for Presidential election, Democratic Party has undergone a continous evolution towards a politics of representation, inclusion, diversity, service, fairness, teamwork, and consensus. So party rules at almost all levels have these philosophies baked in. That includes the rules for committee nominations.
Huh? What? Just Answer The Question: Are The Rules Are Stacked?: No. The Democrats adopted rules that are specifically designed which have these particular features / priorities / purposes
- Maximum Participation: Distribute seats to as many different members as possible. This means an opportunity for all members to serve in a committee (if mathematically possible and within rules ofc). I am pretty sure there are a handful of kossacks, who enjoy optimization mathematics and set theories, salivating and enjoying the “jigsaw puzzle” of assignments every December after election.
- Maximum occupation of seats by Democrats as far as possible as many seats as possible are occupied by Democrats. I assume that having more democrats means having a better chance at legislative or oversight success.
- No Shuffling Without Consent: None of the member are moved from their previously assigned committee without agreement or consent in the new congress. So once an initial assignment has been made, a member will not be moved out of that committee. This allows for members to develope and build up expertise in the specific area of that committee over multiple sessions of congress.
- Training for inexperienced: Vice-chairs of committees are specifically chosen from the ones who have little experience. This gives an opportunity for newer members or members without long history of service to accumulate experience of running a committee without actually screwing up big time.
- Gender / Racial Diversity: Does this even need explaining? All right then, so the makeup a committee should be such that attempts are made to ensure committee reflects the gender and racial makeup of the nation.
- Geographic Diversity: In the context of the committee assignments geographic diversity ensures that members from all regions are represented. And we avoid stuff like finance committee filled with people just from Delaware, New York and California, Or Agricultural committee filled with people from Iowa and Wisconsin only.
- Rewarding Teamwork / Spotting Talent: If someone is talented enough or so well thought of by their colleagues to the point that they can persuade a large chunk their state house delegation (half) or a large chunk of house dem caucus. If a member is truly deserving and fantastic team player and covets a spot on a particular committee that they might not be considered for then they can ask their colleagues to support them.
- Safety Net for unexpected changes: It is not uncommon for a particular congress to have some minor changes in membership. Usually due to members being replaced (resigning/moving/changing office/ err death). So a couple of spots somewhere which has no dentrimental effect on Democratic party agenda might be kept vacant. Should new members get elected to congress as a result of vacancies, they will have an option of a committee assignments.
- Commitment To Party Agenda: In practical terms this particular criteria is rendered meaningless due to diversity and inclusion rules.
- Prevention of Power Accumulation: Rules are designed to prevent just a handful of Representatives from accumulating too much power by occupying too many committees or chairs or subcommittee chairs. Avoids scenario where a small cabal of representatives effectively control everything.
- No Prejudice based on previous profession: This might seem counter-intituitive to some people. Assignments do not take into account what the profession of a Representative was prior to them joining the congress. In general terms work of a committee is such that it needs satisfy and be understood by general population. Having people who do not have prior professional exerience in a particular area means that a committee does not overtime evolve into a professional clique.
What Is That Thing About “Exclusive” committee? : Some of the committees are labelled as “exclusive”. This is due to the outsized influences and jurisdictions they have or in some instances due to the workload of the committee. If a member is in one of these committees then they are not allowed to be in another committee 0f any kind. (see above, prevention of power accumulation).
How is that different from “non-Exclusive” committee? : A member is allowed to belong to upto two non-exclusive committes. This gives members an opportunity to have a decent workload and gain experience in two different jurisdictions.
Surely We Can Have As Many People As We Want: No. The limitations on assignments and compostion of various committees and subcommittees have to comply with the cionstitution, legislation and various acts of congress that involve organization of legislative division of the government.
I heard about the waivers. What are they? : Very rarely a waiver is issued for a member to be assigned to a particular committee. This is usually when a seat on a committee needs to be filled but there are not any eligible members left who can fill the spot. When waivers are issued, again the general policy of diversity, inclusion, fairness is adopted to priorotise the waiver assignments.
Are newly elected members screwed then? : No. All members are where possible accomodated into a committee somewhere. Spreading pacticipation and inclusion and opportunity.
What is this seniority business? : Seniority in a committee is basically a measure of the lenght of time a member has served in a particular committee. Reward for long service is usually being able to be the chair (or the ranking member if not in majority) of the committee.
How did the Democrats dole out assignments? Lets see
- All members were asked which committees they wanted to serve on.
- all members submitted their preferred requested assignments in the order they wanted.
- Steering and policy committee attempted to fulfil all requests that were valid by their preferences. By valid I mean which still coplied with the rules regarding how many committees a member is allowed to serve on etc etc
- Most members would have chosen to stay in their previously assigned committees.
- Some members would have chosen to change their assignments.
- Not having been privy to what was requested by each member I am in no position to say if everyone recieved their first choice. However given that no one has actually grumbled much and the makeup of new assignments does not differ too much from last congress it is reasonable to assume that all members got exactly what they wanted or what what they were satisfied with.
- All those assignments still needs vote and aproval by the House Democrats Caucus
I hope this answers a few questions people might have had. Anything not answered in this diary, just ask in comments and I will attempt to answer them as best as I can.
Special Request: There are a whole heap of Kossacks who have been congressional aides, and staffers who currently work for or have previously worked for various Representatives as well as in various committees. If you are one of them, please add any extra stuff you think should/could have been included here.
References: The speaker has periodically announced the assignments through press releases. follow them of look for them at www.speaker.gov/… www.speaker.gov/… www.speaker.gov/… www.speaker.gov/…
House democratic caucus here https://www.dems.gov/
