Rep. Rosa DeLauroRosa Luisa DeLauroThe Hill’s Morning Report – Presented by Mastercard – Barr splits with Trump on election; pardon controversy McConnell in tough position as House eyes earmark return DeLauro wins Steering Committee vote for Appropriations chair MORE (D-Conn.) will be the next House Appropriations Committee chairwoman following a Thursday vote by the House Democratic caucus.
DeLauro, a close ally of Speaker Nancy PelosiNancy PelosiOn The Money: Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms | Pelosi, Schumer endorse 8 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those making at least 0K Battle heats up for House Foreign Affairs gavel Nearly one-third of US adults expect to lose employment income: Census Bureau MORE (D-Calif.) who has served in the House since 1991, will be at the helm of the powerful committee which oversees funding the entire federal government.
She’ll be the second woman to chair the House Appropriations Committee, filling the vacancy left by retiring Chairwoman Nita LoweyNita Sue LoweyDeLauro wins Steering Committee vote for Appropriations chair This week: Congress races to wrap work for the year Congress set for chaotic year-end sprint MORE (D-N.Y.).
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The House Steering and Policy Committee, which decides members’ committee assignments, voted earlier this week to recommend DeLauro for the Appropriations vacancy over Reps. Marcy KapturMarcia (Marcy) Carolyn KapturDeLauro wins Steering Committee vote for Appropriations chair DeLauro racks up labor endorsements for Appropriations gavel Ukraine language in GOP platform underscores Trump tensions MORE (D-Ohio) and Debbie Wasserman SchultzDeborah (Debbie) Wasserman SchultzDeLauro wins Steering Committee vote for Appropriations chair On The Money: Democrats accuse Mnuchin of sabotaging economy in dispute with Fed | Trump administration proposal takes aim at bank pledges to avoid fossil fuel financing | JPMorgan: Economy will shrink in first quarter due to COVID-19 spike OVERNIGHT ENERGY: House Democrats push Biden to pick Haaland as next Interior secretary | Trump administration proposal takes aim at bank pledges to avoid fossil fuel financing | Wasserman Schultz pitches climate plan in race to chair Appropriations MORE (D-Fla.), who also vied for the gavel.
House Democrats voted to ratify DeLauro’s recommendation with 148 votes over Wasserman Schultz’s 79, according to a Democratic aide, while Kaptur pulled out of the race.
DeLauro will take over the role when the new Congress takes office in January.
Lowey has served as the top Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee since 2013. DeLauro currently chairs an Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education departments.
In a statement, Lowey praised DeLauro as “a legislative partner of mine for three decades” and “a tireless advocate for the most vulnerable people in our nation.”
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“More importantly, Rosa has been one of my closest friends for my entire tenure in Congress. I treasure the memories we have made together, particularly our work with Speaker Pelosi to elevate issues of special importance to women and families that earned us the sobriquet DeLoSi,” Lowey said.
DeLauro is also a co-chair of the Steering and Policy Committee that voted to recommend her for the Appropriations gavel.
Congress is in the midst of negotiating an all-encompassing omnibus spending package to keep the government funded past Dec. 11, when current funding expires. Senate Appropriations Committee Chairman Richard ShelbyRichard Craig ShelbyOvernight Defense: Defense bill moving forward despite Trump veto threat over tech fight | Government funding bill hits snag | Top general talks Afghanistan, Pentagon budget On The Money: Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms | Pelosi, Schumer endorse 8 billion plan as basis for stimulus talks | Poll: Most Americans support raising taxes on those making at least 0K Funding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms MORE (R-Ala.) said Wednesday that he thinks that a temporary stopgap known as a continuing resolution may be necessary.
Shelby said Thursday that negotiators are “working famously” and that staff will work through the weekend.
House Majority Leader Steny HoyerSteny Hamilton HoyerFunding bill hits snag as shutdown deadline looms Hoyer releases 2021 House calendar Democrats eye Dec. 11 exit for House due to COVID-19 MORE (D-Md.) pushed back on the pessimism about reaching a deal by next week, saying during a House Democratic caucus call on Thursday that “if we think it will not get done, it will not get done,” according to a source on the call.
If Congress does turn to a stopgap that goes into 2021, DeLauro would be responsible for trying to negotiate a massive spending bill as a Biden administration begins coming into place next year.