Stark Takes Rangel's Gavel – for Now

“There were signs of an incipient revolt against Stark from within the committee as it huddled for several hours on the first floor of the Capitol Wednesday, and his chief competitor for a temporary assignment appeared to be Michigan Rep. Sander Levin, who is next in seniority.

“The committee planned to reconvene Thursday, with committee member Bill Pascrell (D-N.J.) saying that a decision would be made Thursday morning.

“Speaker Nancy Pelosi declined to say who would be the next chairman, as did Majority Leader Steny Hoyer.

“Among the scenarios being discussed behind closed doors, according to an aide to a Ways and Means Committee member:

“Stark could keep the gavel for now in exchange for a promise that he wouldn’t seek it in the next Congress.

“ Stark and Levin could be named co-chairmen until the next Congress.

“Stark and Levin could run against each other.

“There could be an all-out, multicandidate race for the gavel — one that would quite likely determine who would retain control over the committee for as long as the Democrats hold the majority.”

Read more: (Jonathan Allen, “Stark Takes Rangel’s Gavel – for Now,” Politico, 3/04/10)