The shape of legislation affecting the Pentagon and veterans will change with the new Congress, as several holders of key positions lost their seats on Capitol Hill during the recent national election. As noted by the Fleet Reserve Association, gone are Rep. Ike Skelton, D.-Mo., who chaired the House Armed Services Committee, Rep.; John Spratt, D-S.C., chairman of the House Budget Committee, Rep. Chet Edwards, D-Texas, chairman of the House Military Construction and Veterans Affairs Appropriations subcommittee, Rep. James Oberstar, D-Minn., who chaired the House Transportation Committee, And Rep. Gene Taylor, D-Miss., who co-chaired the House Guard and Reserve Caucus and the Coast Guard Caucus. Taylor was also a member of the Armed Services Committee.
