Towns could face competition for House oversight spot

The lawmaker next in line to lead a key House oversight panel could get a run for his money.

Rep. Edolphus Towns, D-N.Y., is second in seniority after California Rep. Henry Waxman among Democrats on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee, and Towns is the only member who has publicly thrown his hat in the ring to replace Waxman, who is leaving for the top Energy and Commerce Committee post. But the Democratic leadership reportedly has reservations about Towns. A former lawmaker told CongressDaily that leaders are concerned that Towns lacks enthusiasm for the job, and are weighing alternatives.

"As the senior Democratic member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I have expressed my interest in the chairmanship of that committee to the Steering and Policy Committee," Towns said. "I anticipate wide-ranging support from various regions of the Democratic caucus. I am prepared to mount a vigorous campaign."

His campaign will likely be run against Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., or fellow New York Democrat Rep. Carolyn Maloney, both of whom have expressed interest in the position while deferring to Towns' seniority.

Jennifer Kohl, a spokeswoman for Cummings, told Government Executive on Friday that the congressman has enjoyed being a "powerful voice" on the committee and would "love to be the next chairman." But Cummings acknowledges that Towns, his colleague on the Congressional Black Caucus, is next in line for the position.

Maloney said on Wednesday that if the chairmanship became available then she would support Towns.

"If Mr. Towns were not a candidate, I would be," Maloney said. "And I believe I would make the strongest case, having served the caucus by my work in helping to save the census and advancing a [government] reform agenda."

Shrita Sterlin, a spokeswoman for Towns, said on Friday that he has a record of accomplishment on the committee, a plan for constructive oversight and a reputation for cooperation. As chairman of the Government Management Subcommittee, he worked closely with Waxman to conduct oversight of federal contracting and pass major contracting reform legislation, she said.

Sterlin also touted Towns' desire for a renewed bipartisan spirit on the committee. During the next Congress, the panel will have an opportunity to advance key issues such as improving government transparency and expanding the use of technology, she said.

"It will be essential that these reforms not become bogged down in internal and partisan fights," Sterlin said. "Ed Towns has the temperament to avoid entanglement in partisan public fights that distract from the message of the Democratic Congress. He is truly a coalition builder."

Waxman and outgoing ranking member Rep. Tom Davis, R-Va., sparred often, particularly over Waxman's practice of conducting and issuing unilateral investigations. Hopes for bipartisan cooperation on the committee were looking even more dismal with Davis very likely to be succeeded by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who had an extremely contentious relationship with Waxman.

Several aides said the House Democratic Caucus is unlikely to vote on Waxman's replacement until December.

Dan Friedman and Christian Bourge of CongressDaily contributed to this story.