Reichert angling for Ways and Means seat

Rep. Dave Reichert (R-Auburn) is seeking a spot on the House Ways and Means committee after winning his third term and second consecutive victory over Darcy Burner this fall, the Seattle Post-Intelligencer reports.

The House Ways and Means Committee oversees governmental revenue programs such as taxation and tariffs as well as Social Security and Medicare, and was a long-time perch for Reichert's predecessor, the late Rep. Jennifer Dunn.

If he is appointed to the influential committee, it will provide a boost for Reichert's political resume as he continues to defy the political logic as the only House Republican from Western Washington. He was targeted by Democrats this year for his congressional effectiveness rating, which placed him among the least powerful in the House.

Reichert lobbied unsuccessfully for a seat on the House Appropriations Committee earlier this year, and at the time it was seen as a potential death knell for Reichert's political future. He was passed over for that post in favor of Rep. Jo Bonner (R-Ala.) whose state fortuitously benefitted from a major Air Force contract being awarded to Airbus, whose has operations in Alabama, shortly after the announcement.

But that contract, which otherwise would have gone to Boeing, has since been given new life. So, too, has Dave Reichert.