No timeline set for selecting new civil service subcommittee chief

No timeline has been established to replace Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., as the chairwoman of the House Government Reform Subcommittee on Civil Service and Agency Organization, a senior committee member said Thursday.

Rep. Tim Murphy, R-Pa., the subcommittee's vice chairman, said there is no firm deadline to replace Davis, who left last month to take a seat on the House Select Committee on Intelligence. Several congressional staff members previously said that Rep. Ed Schrock, R-Va., was a favorite to succeed Davis. Schrock, however, announced Monday that he would not run for reelection in his southeastern Virginia district after a Washington-based Web site alleged that he is secretly homosexual.

Schrock, a former Navy officer, is a prominent supporter of a constitutional amendment that would ban gay marriage, and opposes the "don't ask, don't tell" policy in the military. Schrock has not discussed the allegations beyond saying that he will not seek another term in Congress.

With Schrock out of the running, several congressional sources said there is no clear favorite to take the job. The subcommittee will continue to address key federal government issues until House Government Reform Chairman Tom Davis, R-Va., decides on a new chairperson, according to Murphy.

"As vice chairman, I've already talked with Chairman Davis in terms of just making sure some of the committee functions carry on," he said. "I will hold down the fort at the discretion of the chairman until he decides what he would like to do."

Murphy demurred when asked if he was interested in the chairmanship, but he said the subcommittee is moving on with business uninterrupted. In fact, a hearing on health-care issues has already been scheduled for later this month. Murphy has a doctorate in psychology and has worked extensively in Pennsylvania hospitals. He said he is concerned with the "inefficient and costly" delivery of health care.

Rob White, a spokesman for Davis, said a decision on the new chair might not come until after the November elections.

Davis "hasn't said anything … it may not be filled at all for the rest of the year," White added. "It's the chairman's decision, and he hasn't decided."