Senate Democrats elected in 2006 and 2008 are challenging the internal caucus procedures that have allowed veteran lawmakers to lock up committee chairmanships for years on end. ...The Hill
They're absolutely right. They also want secret ballots.
They want to have more of a say in the leadership of powerful committees, such as the Senate Finance, Appropriations, Commerce and Banking committees.
The proposed rules change has made some chairmen nervous, Democratic aides say.
If chairman have to face re-election at the beginning of each Congress, they might be less willing to cut deals with Republicans. Or it could motivate them to be more generous in sharing committee funds with junior members who head subcommittees.
Of course, that may be skating awfully close to asking outright for democracy. Not a form of government that's popular in the Senate.
Junior senators also want to re-examine the number of committee assignments each senator can hold and the amount of funding committee chairmen must share with lower-ranking members who head subcommittees.
Wait! Share? Share? What is this? Socialism? Senator Sherrod Brown is leading this movement. Shouldn't he be removed? Perhaps charged with treason?
