New Jersey will have three seats on the key House Democratic Governance and Policy Committee, with Minority Leader-designate Hakeem Jeffries appointing Reps. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) and Bill Pascrell Jr. (D-Paterson) to the panel on Friday.
The committee defines committee tasks and assists leadership in setting the agenda for the Democratic Party in Congress.
Elected MP Robert J. Menendez (D-Jersey City) will also serve on the committee in 2023 as a representative from the 34-member Democratic freshman class in the 118th Congress.
Gottheimer’s addition puts the influential Democratic chairman of the House’s bipartisan problem-solving caucus in a party leadership role for the first time. Re-elected to his fourth term last month, Gottheimer is a close political ally of Jeffries.
Pascrell has served on the panel for the past six years.
Jeffries announced that the co-chairs will be Barbara Lee, Debbie Wasserman Schultz and Dale Kildee.
“Under the strong leadership of Representatives Lee, Wasserman Schultz and Kildee, the Steering and Policy Committee will prepare us for the start of the 118th Congress,” Jeffries said. “The House Democratic caucus will benefit from their unwavering work ethic, insight and experience as we confront the challenges facing the American people. I know that Barbara, Debbie and Dan share my goal of ensuring that every Democratic member of the House of Representatives is fully engaged and empowered.”
Among the Democrats Jeffries has named to the Democratic Policy and Governance Committee is Rep. Nickema Williams, the chairwoman of the Georgia Democratic Party and John Lewis’ successor in Congress.
