Bidding begins for top Democratic spot on House oversight panel

Rep. Edolphus Towns is not giving up his perch as the top Democrat on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee without a fight, and he is pledging to keep Republicans on the panel in check during the next Congress.

The Brooklyn, N.Y., lawmaker announced on Friday that he is seeking to become the committee's ranking member when the 112th Congress convenes in January 2011. The committee is expected to be chaired by Rep. Darrell Issa, R-Calif., who has promised rigorous oversight of the Obama administration. Issa recently announced plans for the committee and its various subcommittees to hold up to seven hearings per week.

In a letter to his Democratic colleagues, Towns said he would block any potential overreach by Issa.

"I will also work closely with my fellow committee Democrats to form a bulwark against any politically motivated investigations," Towns wrote. "Any attempt to use this committee as a political weapon to tear down this administration is intolerable and I will use every tool at my disposal to ensure this does not occur."

Towns cited his committee's legislative and oversight accomplishments during the past two years, including an investigation of the Toyota recall, hearings on the implementation of the Recovery Act and a bill to improve the collection of improper payments the government made.

"As the committee's ranking member, I will continue an aggressive oversight agenda focused on creating jobs in America; eliminating waste, fraud and abuse; and working with the Obama administration to continue the growth of our nation's economy," Towns wrote.

It remains unclear if committee Democrats -- or the White House -- will support Towns' efforts to become ranking member.

Issa has spent the past two years brandishing his reform credentials and enhancing his reputation, often taking center stage on the committee even while Towns assumed the gavel. Some have speculated that with the committee likely to garner significantly more attention during the next two years, the White House would prefer a more partisan combatant than the congenial Towns.

There was a brief intraparty battle for the chairmanship after Rep. Henry Waxman, D-Calif., left the spot vacant in 2008; the jockeying could resume for the ranking member position.