Democrats could place several longtime committee leaders in key House posts next year if they win the majority, according to an Associated Press report carried by PBS NewsHour.
Potential chairs include Rep. Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, the top Democrat on the Homeland Security panel since 2005; Rep. Adam Smith of Washington, who has led Democrats on Armed Services since 2011; and Rep. Maxine Waters of California, the lead Democrat on Financial Services since 2013. Rep. Frank Pallone was also identified as a longtime committee leader at Energy and Commerce. The report said Democrats hope to pursue a new agenda, but would probably do so with many of the same lawmakers who have directed their legislative work for a decade or longer.