Who is the Chairman of the Ways & Means Committee?

“It doesn’t matter who the chairman of the Ways and Means Committee is to K Street, because Speaker Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) has been the de facto power behind the panel for some time, according to lobbyists and congressional staffers.

“Pelosi has had a major say on the committee’s agenda since Rep. Charles Rangel (D-N.Y.) came under fire last year for several ethics controversies, these sources said.

“Most lobbyists don’t expect that to change now that Rep. Pete Stark (D-Calif.) will serve as the acting chairman of Ways and Means.”

Read more: (Jay Heflin and Kevin Bogardus, “K St.: Speaker Pelosi Really Holds Reins of Power on Ways and Means Committee,” The Hill, 3/03/10)