Dreier Poised to be Chair of
House Rules Committee

Friday, May 1, 1998
Jim Specht
Gannett News Service

WASHINGTON -- Just four years after pundits began wringing their hands over California losing its congressional clout, Republican David Dreier is on the verge of grabbing one of the most important power bases in the House of Representatives.

Dreier, R-San Dimas, is in line to be named chairman of the House Rules Committee next year, thanks to the surprise retirement announcement by the current chairman, Rep. Gerald Solomon, R-New York.

That outcome will almost certainly be good for California -- and for the Inland Empire, Dreier's traditional political base -- because the Rules Committee chairman is considered one of the "big three" committee slots that can most influence legislation, said Reps. Jerry Lewis, R-Redlands, and George Brown, D-San Bernardino.

"The Rules Committee chairman has a seat at any table he wants to sit at -- he can subtly affect allocations on water projects, transportation, the formulas on education reimbursement," Lewis said. "Used with deftness, this can be a very significant opportunity to pursue issues of vital importance to your constituents and state."

Dreier, an 18-year veteran who originally represented much of western San Bernardino County, would be the first Californian to head one of the big three "money" committees, which also include Appropriations, which pays the bills, and Ways and Means, which sets tax and benefit levels, Lewis said.

At 45, he would also be the youngest chairman ever of those three committees, Brown said.

"He came in at such a young age -- 27 -- that David has the potential to be here for another 25 or 30 years, and increasingly move up in terms of leadership, responsibility and influence," Brown said. "This is a major step for Californians in Congress."

Although relatively unknown outside of his upstate New York district, Solomon was a force to be reckoned with in the House of Representatives.

Lewis experienced a vivid example of how much power can be wielded by the Rules Committee chairman a few years ago when, as an appropriations subcommittee chairman, he tried to shut down the Selective Service Administration.

He prepared for a sharp debate, believing he could convince skeptics that the United States no longer needs a peacetime draft with the end of the Cold War. But Solomon, a staunch supporter of continuing the draft, squelched the proposal by simply appearing in the doorway and giving a knowing look to committee leaders. No debate occurred. The Selective Service Administration was funded.

The Rules Committee has become even more influential in recent years, Brown said, as the House Republican leadership has used the committee to rewrite major legislation, ranging from immigration reform to the balanced budget.

"If we pass legislation reforming Social Security, odds are a good part of the responsibility for writing the bill will be with the Rules Committee," he said. "All the major actors come together there, and the chairman will be one of the major actors."

Recognizing the possibilities, Lewis quickly persuaded California Republican lawmakers to sign a letter urging Speaker Newt Gingrich, R-Ga., to name Dreier to the spot. Having the delegation come together so quickly behind a candidate should give Dreier a boost -- especially since the Californians have not been known for harmony in many areas.

It's probable that Gingrich already is leaning toward Dreier, who has been a member of the speaker's inner circle, and has been a leader in efforts to refine and reform House procedures. He has managed debate smoothly on some of the most important bills put forward by the Republican majority.

For the dreamers among California political junkies, here's something to consider: Lewis is third in line to be Appropriations Committee chairman, and an ally of current chairman Rep. Bob Livingston, R-La., who is a contender to succeed Gingrich as speaker.

And Rep. Bill Thomas, R-Bakersfield, is third-ranking on the Ways and Means Committee. Which means a few more surprise retirements could vault Californians into chairmanships on all three exclusive committees.

"You'd have to be among the greatest of optimists to imagine the other members of the House would accept that development," Lewis said with a chuckle. "But it is something to think about."