Aides: Pelosi taps Reyes to head intelligence committee

[Oilwellian]

WASHINGTON (AP) -- House Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi has chosen a Border-Patrol-agent-turned-congressman to lead the House intelligence committee, according to congressional aides.

Democratic leaders are contacting congressional and other political officials to tell them Rep. Silvestre Reyes, D-Texas, will be the new chairman of the committee when Democrats take over in January, said the two aides, who spoke on condition of anonymity because they considered it an internal party issue.

The selection of Reyes marks one of the few committee assignments that was still a question after Democrats won control of the House of Representatives last month. It set up an early challenge for Pelosi, who had sole discretion on the selection.

The California Democrat had to navigate a series of candidates -- and their supporters -- who were vying for the post. In the end, Pelosi bypassed two more senior intelligence committee members -- Reps. Jane Harman, D-California, and Alcee Hastings, D-Florida -- to select Reyes.

http://www.cnn.com/2006/POLITICS/12/01/reyes.intelligence.ap/index.html

Does anyone know anything about Reyes?

[ananda]

1. better than Harman for sure..

.. but I worry when Reyes stresses his bipartisan approach
and welcomes Gates. Ugh.

[flyarm]

2. don't know Reyes but i am pissed!! Rush Holt should have been named !!

I trust Rush impecibly..and how does the North East get thanked for voting dem over and over..the good guys get passed over time and again!

after L. Johnson and now W from texas i do not want anyone on intelligence from Texas...and the oil boys!

ok flame me..but that is how i feel...( oh and i lived in Dallas for many years..and i still feel that way!)

fly

[tridim]

3. His voting record looks pretty good..

http://projects.washingtonpost.com/congress/members/r000170/votes/

[On the Road]

4. I Am Thrilled That Harmon and Hastings Were Passed Over

Pelosi is showing she's not cowed by preceent, and is not afraid to ignore senority when the most senior people are not the best choices.