No House Democratic Committee Assignments — Yet

By

John T. Bennett

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) walks to a meeting of House Democrats on Capitol Hill December 11, 2014 in Washington, DC. Democrats held a caucus meeting during last minute efforts to pass a $1.1 trillion spending bill many Democrats oppose. AFP PHOTO / BRENDAN SMIALOWSKI

WASHINGTON — US House Democrats still don’t have committee assignments for the new congressional session, and leaders appear in no hurry to let them know.

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EDITOR’S NOTE: Go here to see the updated story

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House Republicans wasted little time in announcing which panels their caucus members will populate during the 114th Congress, which opened on Monday. The GOP also has announced its committee chairs, but Democratic leaders have yet to name ranking members.

Aides of members say they are waiting on leadership to announce the assignments.

For the latest national security news from Capitol Hill, go to CongressWatch.

One aide to a Democratic House Armed Services Committee member said his boss is standing by.

“The steering committee makes the decision and we’re not sure when they’ll release the names,” the Democratic aide said.

An aide to House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., merely told CongressWatch that assignments “are done on a rolling basis,” adding he had no details on when the assignments might be announced.

Committees are slated to get to work next week, including a House Armed Services Committee organizational meeting. Rep. Adam Smith, D-Wash., is expected to again be the top Democrat on that panel.

Email: jbennett@defensenews.com / Twitter: @bennettjohnt