Towns Jockeys for Oversight Chairmanship

Rep. Edolphus Towns (D-N.Y.) has begun jockeying for the chairmanship of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, hoping to take the place of former Chairman Henry Waxman (D-Calif.), who won control of the Committee on Energy and Commerce Thursday.

“As the senior Democratic member of the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, I have expressed my interest in the chairmanship of that committee to the Steering and Policy committee,” Towns said. “I anticipate wide-ranging support from various regions of the Democratic Caucus. I am prepared to mount a vigorous campaign.”

Towns had backed Rep. John Dingell (D-Mich.) to retain control of the Energy and Commerce Committee over Waxman.

“As chair, I look forward to working with the Obama administration to improve efficiency, oversight and access to the government