Dems Aim To Avoid Messy Battle To Replace Cummings To Keep Impeachment Momentum

WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: House Oversight ant Reform Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings speaks at the National Press Club August 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Cummings addressed members of the organization during a lunche... WASHINGTON, DC - AUGUST 07: House Oversight ant Reform Chairman Rep. Elijah Cummings speaks at the National Press Club August 7, 2019 in Washington, DC. Cummings addressed members of the organization during a luncheon and touched on a number of issues including ongoing investigations of U.S. President Donald Trump. (Photo by Win McNamee/Getty Images) MORE LESS
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In order to maintain House Democrats’ impeachment momentum and avoid exposing any rifts in the party at a crucial time, Democrats are aiming to quietly replace late-House Oversight Committee Chair Elijah Cummings (D-MD) with the most senior Democrat on the committee.

According to Politico, some members of the Congressional Black Caucus have said behind closed doors that they’d be willing to support Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-NY), even though it would mean losing one of their five chairmanships. Maloney has been serving as interim chair since Cummings passed away last week.

While there have been a few other lawmakers floated to replace Cummings, several Democrats have privately said they want to avoid any distractions from the impeachment inquiry, according to Politico. House Democrats must hold an election within 30 days, but timing won’t be discussed publicly until after Cummings’ funeral services later this week.

Some Democrats are reportedly concerned there are not enough experienced lawmakers on the Oversight Committee who could function well taking on Trump and Maloney is viewed as the easiest choice for the position.

“At this point, it doesn’t matter because (House Speaker Nancy) Pelosi (D-CA) has already made Schiff the captain of the ship,” a Democratic aide told Politico.

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