For Capitol Hill freshmen, sponsoring legislation can boost political fortunes
By Ben Pershing
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
When a popular federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was set to expire in June, the House and Senate sprang into action, approving a bill to extend the credit for three months to people with home sales already under contract. One of the lead sponsors of the measure -- which passed 409 to 5 -- was Rep. Frank M. Kratovil Jr. (D-Md.), a freshman whose committee assignments don't involve tax policy.
Similarly, Virginia Rep. Glenn Nye (D) got a bill passed last year that would launch a program to provide business advice to veterans. His Hampton Roads-based district -- which is high on Republican target lists -- has a huge military presence.
Nye was also the lead author, among 55 total sponsors, of a bill to help Israel acquire rocket-defense systems. It passed the House in May. And Nye has sponsored a half-dozen successful amendments to other bills, including provisions to help homeowners who bought toxic drywall made in China -- a hot-button issue.
Fellow Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello (D) got his name on top of a popular measure to revoke the health-insurance industry's antitrust exemption. The bill had 73 co-sponsors.
(More here.)
Washington Post Staff Writer
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
When a popular federal tax credit for first-time home buyers was set to expire in June, the House and Senate sprang into action, approving a bill to extend the credit for three months to people with home sales already under contract. One of the lead sponsors of the measure -- which passed 409 to 5 -- was Rep. Frank M. Kratovil Jr. (D-Md.), a freshman whose committee assignments don't involve tax policy.
Similarly, Virginia Rep. Glenn Nye (D) got a bill passed last year that would launch a program to provide business advice to veterans. His Hampton Roads-based district -- which is high on Republican target lists -- has a huge military presence.
Nye was also the lead author, among 55 total sponsors, of a bill to help Israel acquire rocket-defense systems. It passed the House in May. And Nye has sponsored a half-dozen successful amendments to other bills, including provisions to help homeowners who bought toxic drywall made in China -- a hot-button issue.
Fellow Virginia Rep. Tom Perriello (D) got his name on top of a popular measure to revoke the health-insurance industry's antitrust exemption. The bill had 73 co-sponsors.
(More here.)
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