Although there’s been no formal release from the Democratic caucus of the House Science, Space and Technology Committee, the Democratic members of the committee were formally named last week in a House resolution:
- Jerry Costello (IL)
- Lynn Woolsey (CA)
- Zoe Lofgren (CA)
- David Wu (OR)
- Brad Miller (NC)
- Daniel Lipinski (IL)
- Gabrielle Giffords (AZ)
- Donna Edwards (MD)
- Marcia Fudge (OH)
- Ben Lujan (NM)
- Paul Tonko (NY)
- Jerry McNerney (CA)
- John Sarbanes (MD)
- Terri Sewell (AL)
- Frederica Wilson (FL)
- Hansen Clarke (MI)
Many of the Democrats named served on the committee in the previous Congress, although there are several new members as well. Subcommittee assignments have not yet been announced.
Update 5 pm: The Democratic caucus announced Tuesday afternoon subcommittee assignments. Rep. Giffords will be the ranking member on the space subcommittee; while she recovers, Rep. Costello will serve as acting ranking member. Other Democrats on the subcommittee include Reps. Fudge, Sewell, Wu, Edwards, and Wilson.
Update 6:30 am Wed: A statement from Rep. Costello on being named as acting ranking member of the space subcommittee: “Congresswoman Giffords, my good friend and colleague, has demonstrated strong leadership as a member of the House Science, Space, and Technology Committee, particularly on the Subcommittee on Space and Aeronautics, where she has been a true champion of our nation’s space program. I look forward to Congresswoman Giffords’ continued work as the Subcommittee’s Ranking Member when she returns to Congress, and I am honored to serve as Acting Ranking Member during her recovery.”
With Rep Giffords being in recovery for months, will her vote just be recorded as “Not Present”? I wonder if the voters of Arizona will get a replacement – even temporary?
Glad to see Giffords still on the committee. Let’s hope that she has a full recovery ASAP…Time will tell.
CharlesHouston wrote:
“With Rep Giffords being in recovery for months, will her vote just be recorded as ‘Not Present’? I wonder if the voters of Arizona will get a replacement – even temporary?”
They will not .. unless Congresswoman Giffords gives up her seat and a special election is held to replace her.
Senator Tim Johnson (D-SD) suffered a stroke-like affliction in 2006. It was some sort of blood circulation problem in his brain. Nearly a year later, Johnson returned to the Senate amid the cheers and applause of his colleagues. But during the time he was undergoing treatment and rehabilitation, Johnson was unable to cast any votes.
Hopefully, Congresswoman Giffords will be able to take her seat in the House again … soon. Realistically, I imagine her recovery is going to take some time. But I might add that following Senator Johnson’s recovery, he won re-election in 2008.
I spent almost 3 decades working in a major trauma center. Recovery from that kind of brain injury could take years, not months. As much as I admire Giffords, it might be better for her constituents if she retired.