The current House Budget Committee Chairman — Rep. John Spratt (D-SC), who lost his re-election bid last week — has endorsed Chris Van Hollen to take over as the top Democrat on the panel next year.
“I am writing to state my enthusiastic support for Chris Van Hollen as Ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee in the 112th Congress,” Spratt wrote in a letter to colleagues today. “Through his work in the Democratic leadership and on the Ways and Means Committee, Chris has demonstrated his dedication to our values as well as his knowledge of the issues.
Van Hollen appears to have a clear path to becoming the ranking member on the committee. Yesterday, the committee’s second highest-ranking Democrat, Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) backed his candidacy, and a source close to him tells me he has thusfar rounded up the support of 17 of the 19, returning Democrats on the panel, and counting.
You can read the entire letter below the fold.
November 10, 2010
Dear Democratic Colleague:
I am writing to state my enthusiastic support for Chris Van Hollen as Ranking Democrat on the House Budget Committee in the 112th Congress. The Budget Committee has been a place where Democrats reconcile our core values with our commitment to fiscal responsibly. The budget resolution is the one opportunity we have to show support for our party’s policies across the spectrum. Passing a resolution calls for a leader who has the confidence of all elements of our caucus. Chris Van Hollen enjoys such respect.
Through his work in the Democratic leadership and on the Ways and Means Committee, Chris has demonstrated his dedication to our values as well as his knowledge of the issues.
The Budget Committee will play a critical role in the 112th Congress, as it addresses issues in a fiscal environment that is strained, to say the least. Chris Van Hollen is more than up to that challenge, and I am pleased to see him seek the position. He has my unqualified support for ranking member, and I hope he will have yours.
Sincerely,
/s
John M. Spratt, Jr.
Chairman
Late update: Van Hollen has just issued a statement thanking Spratt for his endorsement.
Chairman Spratt has served our nation with great distinction, including his 14 years leading the Budget Committee, and I am honored to have his support. His commitment to fiscal responsibility and his proven record of writing budgets that reflect America’s values has served our nation well. I also want to thank Congresswoman Schwartz and other committee members for their support for my bid to be Ranking Member. Our shared commitment to fiscally sustainable policies that support American families and small businesses will be critical as we continue to rebuild our economy and move America forward.
