Two Wisconsin representatives may receive new positions on influential House committees in the next Congressional term.
Rep. Ron Kind, D-La Crosse, has been named to possibly obtain a seat on the Ways and Means Committee. Rep. Tammy Baldwin, D-Madison, may become a member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.
\[Baldwin] has been aspiring to a seat on this committee since she first got there,"" said Jerilyn Goodman, spokesperson for Baldwin. ""This committee has a lot of influence in health care policy as well as telecommunications and energy.""
The House Ways and Means Committee has jurisdiction over tax law, trade agreements and Social Security. The Energy and Commerce Committee oversees areas such as consumer protection and public health.
Midwest House Democrats recommended Baldwin and Kind for their prospective seats earlier this month.
""I think this is to some extent the Democratic caucus accommodating the interest of the state and to some extent the region to have folks on these committees,"" said UW-Madison political science Professor Charles Franklin.
The Ways and Means Committee and Energy and Commerce Committee are two of three ""exclusive"" committees. House members normally serve on multiple committees, but with a seat on these two or Appropriations, they can only hold that seat. If appointed, Kind would relinquish his seats on the Budget, Resources and Education and the Workforce Committees. Baldwin currently holds seats on Judiciary and Budget.
""It's because of the jurisdiction over some of the issues, like tax reform, takes up more staff time, requires more focused work,"" said Stephanie Lunderg, spokesperson for Ron Kind.
Appointments to these committees could benefit Wisconsin. Even with Republican majorities, both representatives could still influence the passage of minor bills that would benefit constituents, Franklin said.
""It's especially true of Ways and Means because it writes taxes,"" he said. ""Even small amendments to the tax laws can be valuable to someone in the state.""
Rep. Kind is among a pool of nine for the two seats on the Ways and Means Committee. Six possible members have been named for three seats available on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
