A source close to outgoing DCCC chairman Chris Van Hollen confirms that the Maryland Democrat is angling to be the party’s top budget guy in the House when they assume the minority in January. He would replace current chairman John Spratt, who was defeated in last week’s midterm elections.
Van Hollen is not currently a member of the Budget Committee, but did deal with these issues when he was a member of the Maryland General Assembly. He was given a leadership title at the beginning of the 111th Congress, but will likely be squeezed out when Democrats lose the Speakership.
If he wins, Van Hollen would leapfrog the Budget Committee’s Vice Chair Allyson Schwartz (D-PA) for the top slot. As ranking member he’d spar with incoming Budget Chairman Paul Ryan — a conservative but, like Van Hollen, not known for his pyrotechnics behind the dais.
