OPINION: In a body still shaped by seniority, California Democrats have a combined 587 years of seniority. California Republicans have 84. When Republicans run the House — even with a California speaker — the state is less powerful.
WASHINGTON — A House Republican majority — even razor thin — is a serious blow to California’s clout.
California enjoys outsized influence on the national stage by virtue of sending 42 Democrats to the House, more than twice as many as any other state. Eight of those members have served for over two decades. And owing to that seniority, Californians chair four House committees and 34 subcommittees. The size of the Republican majority is uncertain as I write this, with dozens of races are too close to call. There is a chance, albeit remote, that they won’t win enough seats to claim a majority at all.
However, the state will not be ignored. Rep. Kevin McCarthy of Bakersfield has a near-lock on replacing Speaker Nancy Pelosi of San Francisco, the first time since 1835 that consecutive speakers have hailed from the same state. He also has pledged to restore committee assignments for Rep. Marjorie Taylor Green , who was removed from her assignments by Democrats after spreading baseless conspiracy theories about a Democratic pedophilia ring and “liking’’ a comment on social media — prior to being elected to the House — which referred to assassinating Pelosi.
Rep. Barbara Lee , for example, who currently chairs a committee that allocates funds for the State Department and the United Nations will be replaced in her role by Rep. Hal Rodgers , who has fought to cut U.S. foreign aid.
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