[Congressional Record Volume 155, Number 9 (Thursday, January 15, 2009)]
[Senate]
[Page S590]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




                         COMMITTEE ASSIGNMENTS

  Mr. REID. Mr. President, over the course of the past several months, 
we have been working to complete negotiations on making our committee 
assignments so that all the new members will be able to attend 
committee meetings and be active participants. In some instances, I 
understand that chairmen have invited new Members to attend meetings 
and be involved in the process.
  I am happy to report that earlier this week, the Republican leader 
and I agreed to what the committee ratios will be for the 111th 
Congress. This process of give and take is tedious, and the giver 
always feels that they have given more, while the taker believes that 
they deserve more. We had to increase the size of some of the 
committees during these deliberations. In any event we have reached 
agreement on ratios, and I ask unanimous consent that a copy of that 
agreement be printed in the Record.


                       Committee Ratio Agreement

Agriculture........................................................12/9
Judiciary..........................................................11/8
Appropriations....................................................17/13
Intel...............................................................8/7
Armed Services....................................................15/11
Aging..............................................................12/9
Banking............................................................12/9
Budget............................................................13/10
Commerce..........................................................14/11
Indian Aff..........................................................9/6
Energy............................................................13/10
JEC.................................................................6/4
EPW................................................................11/8
Rules..............................................................11/8
Finance...........................................................13/10
Small Bus..........................................................11/8
For. Relations.....................................................11/8
Veterans............................................................9/6
HELP..............................................................13/10
Homeland...........................................................10/7

(Ethics Committee remains at 3/3)

  Mr. REID. With respect to the Democratic membership, we have had a 
meeting of our Democratic Steering Committee and they have ratified the 
proposed membership slate. Additionally, the Democratic Caucus has also 
given its stamp of approval to the slate.
  Therefore, Mr. President, the majority is ready to proceed ahead with 
Senate action on considering an organizational resolution which 
appoints committee membership. However, I understand from the 
Republican leader that they still need to complete their process. So, I 
fully expect that when we return after the inauguration, the Senate 
will act on an organizational resolution.

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