Appropriations seat shuffles under way in both chambers

Rep. Henry Brown, R-S.C., is pushing for a seat on the House Appropriations Committee now that one subcommittee ranking member lost his seat in the election and three other Republicans are retiring. A Brown aide disclosed his boss' intentions in an e-mail and cited Brown's efforts in the South Carolina Legislature "to reduce wasteful spending and developed innovative solutions to South Carolina's fiscal problems." Furthermore, the state is not represented on any of "the traditional 'A' committees ... and it has been over two decades since a South Carolina Republican served on the House Appropriations Committee," the aide added.

Under current committee ratios, Republican leaders will have up to eight seats to fill on the panel, including four ranking member posts. The exact number depends on the fate of Rep. Virgil Goode, R-Va. Goode's opponent Tom Perriello declared victory Friday after holding on to small lead. Goode has refused to concede and is waiting for the state to certify the results Nov. 24 before deciding to seek a recount, according to local reports.

Meanwhile, Sen. Daniel Inouye, D-Hawaii, said Friday he plans to continue to serve as chairman of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee when he takes over the full Appropriations Committee. Inouye was thrust into the chairmanship after Sen. Robert Byrd, D-W.Va., announced Friday he would give up the post Jan. 6. Inouye added that he is "humbled" by Byrd's recommendation.

"I hope that I am sufficiently prepared to succeed my mentor who has assisted and guided me over the past 30 years, and in particular, during the years that he has led this important panel with distinction," he said.

Democrats will meet Nov. 18 to determine committee chairmen and assignments. "I hope my Democratic colleagues will have faith in my ability to lead the full Appropriations Committee forward," Inouye said.

Another move on the panel could involve Sen. Robert Bennett, R-Utah, who has said he expects to become ranking member of the Senate Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee after having discussed the issue with Appropriations ranking member Thad Cochran, R-Miss. That position is currently held by Sen. Pete Domenici, R-N.M., who is retiring. Bennett, who is now ranking member of the Agriculture Appropriations Subcommittee, said he believes Sen. Sam Brownback, R-Kan., would take over his spot. Brownback is ranking member of the Financial Services Appropriations Subcommittee.

Megan Scully contributed to this story.