December 6, 2006

SCHAKOWSKY TO SERVE AS CHIEF DEPUTY MAJORITY WHIP

DEMOCRATIC LEADERSHIP POSITION TO HELP IMPLEMENT PARTY'S LEGISLATIVE AGENDA

Schakowsky, who was first appointed to the position of Chief Deputy Democratic Whip under then Democratic Whip Nancy Pelosi and continued serving in the role under Democratic Whip Steny Hoyer said, "I'm honored to be given the opportunity to continue serving as a member of the Democratic leadership team when we move into the Majority next year."

Chief Deputy Whips are part of the official Democratic leadership structure and also serve on the House Steering and Policy Committee. The job of the Whip team is to maximize party unity and ensure passage of priority legislation in the House of Representatives.

"America resoundingly voted for a new direction on November 7th and I'm proud to be a part of the team that will deliver on that goal," said Schakowsky. "Under the leadership of Speaker Pelosi, the House of Representatives will vote to raise the minimum wage, improve House ethics rules, enable Medicare to negotiate for lower-cost drugs for our seniors, make education more affordable, address energy prices, get our budget under control and much more. James Clyburn, who was unanimously elected by House Democrats to serve as Majority Whip, is a great leader, and he will do a great job ensuring our Democratic agenda moves through the House. I'm proud to join his Whip team."