Rep. Sander Levin (D-MI) will take over as Ways and Means Committee chairman, Speaker Nancy Pelosi told Democrats today following Rep. Charlie Rangel’s decision to step down from the post temporarily.
Levin will be “acting chair,” Democrats say.
Early reports after Rangel’s announcement had been that Rep. Pete Stark (D-CA) would get the position. But a Democratic aide told TPMDC there were concerns that Stark was too liberal to head the tax-writing committee.
Rangel (D-NY) praised Levin speaking to TPMDC.
“Under the circumstances that exist, I can not think of anyone that would be able to serve the country, the Congress and our committee better than Sandy Levin,” said Rangel, facing an ethics investigation.
Rangel also told reporters that Stark told Speaker Nancy Pelosi he would give up his role as acting chair of the committee. Rangel said Stark told Pelosi “he wants really to hold on to his Health subcommittee, which he would have to give up.”
Levin and Sen. Carl Levin (D-MI) are brothers.
Late Update: Stark issued this statement:
“I have decided to remain as Chair of the Ways and Means Health Subcommittee. We are at the cusp of achieving health care reform and we must remain focused on moving forward.
“From COBRA coverage to keeping Medicare strong, I have devoted my career to making health care better and more accessible to Americans. I am committed to working to ensure that health care is affordable for people of all income levels and that we protect and improve Medicare for seniors and people with disabilities.
“Once we pass health reform, it will take careful oversight to make sure that it is being implemented correctly. I have chosen to remain Chair of the Health Subcommittee and look forward to working with my colleagues on these vital priorities.”
Additional reporting by Brian Beutler
