Nancy Pelosi Watch: Pelosi Names Silvestre Reyes Chairman of House Intelligence Committee

Rep. Silvestre Reyes (D-TX) (R) speaks during a news conference in Washington November 18, 2005. Reyes will become chairman of the U.S. House of Representatives intelligence committee when Democrats take control of Congress in January, Speaker-designate Nancy Pelosi said on Friday.

SF Chronicle: Pelosi names Rep. Reyes to head Intelligence Committee

After skipping over the top two Democrats on the House Intelligence Committee, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco today named anti-Iraq war Rep. Silvestre Reyes of Texas to head the panel whose importance has grown since the 2001 terror attacks and the 2003 invasion of Iraq.

The appointment of Reyes, an Army veteran who later served more than two decades in the Border Patrol, came after Pelosi had passed over the current ranking Democrat on the panel, Rep. Jane Harman of Venice in Los Angeles County, and Rep. Alcee Hastings of Florida.

So, Speaker Pelosi SCREWS OVER Jane Harman and SLAPS Alcee Hastings (redemption wats dat?). Pelosi is not making too many friends in the Black Caucus or among the Blue Dog Democrats.

Trouble?

You bet…….

U.S. Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, will be the next chairman of the House Intelligence Committee.

It appears Pelosi’s appointment to key House Committees is based on a new lockstep paradigm of opposition to President Bush and the Iraq War. Since this is a minority view inside the Democrat caucus (since many voted for the war) will Pelosi be able to move the hurt feelings into floor votes?

Doubtful……..

And Reyes?

Reyes’s district is on the Mexican border, centered in El Paso. He also serves on the Armed Service and Veterans Affairs Committees and was, like Pelosi, an outspoken opponent of the decision to invade Iraq in March 2003.

In naming Reyes to a high profile job, Pelosi also satisfies another key part of the Democratic coalition, the House’s Hispanic members.

Will Jane Harman remain on the Intelligence Committee?

Unknown and if removed……

What impact would Harman’s removal be on the 40 plus Blue Dog Democrats?

Stay tuned……..