SOUTHLAND'S GAINS IN HOUSE SURPASS SENATE GAVEL LOSSES.Byline: Bill Hillburg Washington Bureau WASHINGTON - Republican gains in the House of Representatives this week and a GOP takeover of the Senate will result in a net gain for Southern California Southern California, also colloquially known as SoCal, is the southern portion of the U.S. state of California. Centered on the cities of Los Angeles and San Diego, Southern California is home to nearly 24 million people and is the nation's second most populated region, interests in the next Congress, experts and insiders said Wednesday. They stressed that the continued presence of local Republican House members in key committee and subcommittee chairmanships will more than offset losses of power suffered by Sens. Dianne Feinstein Dianne Goldman Berman Feinstein (born June 22, 1933) is the senior U.S. Senator from California, having held office as a senator since 1992. She is a member of the Democratic Party. and Barbara Boxer Barbara Levy Boxer (born November 11, 1940) is an American politician and the current junior U.S. Senator from the State of California. A member of the Democratic Party, Boxer was first elected to the U.S. when Democrats give up control of the Senate. Chairmen wield considerable clout in Congress, including the power to decide which bills will receive a hearing - the necessary first step toward passage. As the gatekeepers for all legislation, they are also well positioned to line up support for local projects. ``I don't think you can underestimate the power of chairmen,'' said Mary Beth Sullivan, legislative counsel for the California Institute, a Washington think tank focusing on Golden State issues. ``You don't get a bill moved without a green light from them.'' ``We have so many people who will remain in key positions and will be helping to set the agenda,'' said Rep. David Dreier David Timothy Dreier (born July 5, 1952), American politician, has been a Republican member of the United States House of Representatives since January 1981, representing California's 26th congressional district (map). He was first elected to the U.S. House at age 28 in 1980. , R-Glendora, who as chairman of the House Rules Committee will remain a member of the leadership team of House Speaker Dennis Hastert, R-Ill. Dreier and his fellow Republicans on the Rules Committee shape the debate on all legislation that comes up for final consideration on the House floor. The rules they set include limits on the number of amendments, if any, to be considered and the amount of time set aside for debate. Dreier has worked with Rep. Howard Berman Howard Lawrence "Howie" Berman (born April 15 1941) has been a Democratic member of the United States House of Representatives since 1983, representing the 28th District of California (map). , D-Mission Hills, on a bill to grant tax credits to film and TV studios to stem runaway production. The GOP's local returning power lineup also includes Rep. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, who will retain his post as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee, which oversees Pentagon spending. In recent years, Lewis has teamed with Rep. Howard P. ``Buck'' McKeon, R-Santa Clarita, and other local lawmakers to keep defense dollars flowing to major employers, ranging from Lockheed Martin Astronautics astronautics: see space science. Astronautics Flash Gordon space-traveling hero. [Am. Comics and Cin.: Halliwell] From the Earth to the Moon Co. in Palmdale to the Boeing C-17 plant in Long Beach. Another returning heavy hitter is Rep. William Thomas, R-Bakersfield, whose reapportioned district includes a larger slice of the Antelope Valley. As chairman of the House Ways and Means WAYS AND MEANS. In legislative assemblies there is usually appointed a committee whose duties are to inquire into, and propose to the house, the ways and means to be adopted to raise funds for the use of the government. This body is called the committee of ways and means. Committee, he wields considerable influence over all tax issues. McKeon will be back as chairman of the Education and Work Force Subcommittee on 21st Century Competitiveness, which deals with job training and higher education. Other GOP gavel gavel small mallet used by judge or presiding officer to signal order. [Western Culture: Misc.] See : Authority wielders include Reps. Elton Gallegly, R-Oxnard, chairman of the International Relations Subcommittee on Europe. Gallegly may seek to move up to chairman of the full House Resources Committee when the 108th Congress convenes in January. The panel oversees national parks and forests and will likely be the focal point focal point n. See focus. of California's efforts to retain adequate supplies of Colorado River water via the Metropolitan Water District system. Had the Democrats won the House, all of the local GOP chairmen would have been shorn shorn v. A past participle of shear. shorn Verb a past participle of shear Adj. 1. of their posts next year. But only two local Democrats were in line to assume key roles. Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Los Angeles, would have become chairman of the House Government Reform Committee, a panel with wide investigative powers. Berman was in line to become chairman of the House Standards of Official Conduct Committee, which investigates wrongdoing wrong·do·er n. One who does wrong, especially morally or ethically. wrong  do by members. More importantly, Berman would have also moved up from ranking member to chairman of the Judiciary Subcommittee on Courts, the Internet and Intellectual Property. That panel handles issues that are vital to Hollywood, including copyright protections. In the Senate, Boxer in January will lose her post as chairman of the Environment and Public Works Subcommittee on Superfund, Toxic Risks and Waste Management. She has used the post to fight against Superfund cuts proposed by President George W. Bush, such as curtailing cleanups of polluted sites in Southern California. Feinstein will be relieved of her gavels as head of the Appropriations Subcommittee on Military Construction and the Judiciary Subcommittee on Technology, Terrorism and Government Information. |
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