More seniority woes on Ways and Means

I previously blogged about how the elevation of Sandy Levin (D-MI) over Pete Stark (D-CA) as the interim chair of the House Ways and Means Committee illustrated the decline of the traditional seniority system in Congress. Today, there is a report in Roll Call($) about how Levin is now facing a challenge from Richard Neal (D-MA) for the permanent gavel. As with worries about Stark, it seems that Democrats are worried that Levin may not be aggressive and organized enough to lead the charge on Democratic initiatives. This is clearly one to watch. There's also new about this from Politico.

Summary of Health Care Reform poliitcs for the ages

The passage of the health care reform bill will no doubt serve as a popular case study --- if atypical --- about how big bills become law. Here is a great story, from the Washington Post, that recaps the drama as succinctly as this complicated story will allow. A good place to start.

Great site for following the House health plan vote

This graphically based page is great for following the accumulation of votes for and against the health bill in the House.

My major complaint with this page is that the information it provides about members concerns contributions from the health industry and % uncovered by health insurance plans in the district, as if these factors are the major influences on the vote. Party (which is reported) and ideology (which is not) are the two factors to watch.

Levin's ascent evidence of the weakness of the traditional seniority system

The machinations surrounding Charlie Rangel's (D-NY) "leave of absence" as chair of Ways and Means say a lot about how committees have changed since the days of the "Textbook Congress." In the olden days, the gavel would have just passed to Pete Stark (D-CA), the second-in-seniority. However, committee members (and Democrats in general) have been alarmed at the prospect of Stark leading this important committee, considering him a loose canon. Hence, the elevation this morning of the much more predictable Sander Levin (D-MI).

Here's the Roll Call link and the Washington Post link.

Great interview about the filibuster

I've been pretty neglectful of this blog, but I've decided to give it one more shot at being persistent.

I will start the new year's postings by noting a great interview with Greg Koger, a political scientist at the University of Miami, about the filibuster. Very good historical overview and discussion about possible "reforms." Here it is.