Subcommittee Assignments Shaping Up

Some changes are upcoming in the leadership of the congressional panels that handle civil service policies and spending levels, with House civil service subcommittee Rep. David Weldon, R-Fla., giving up that seat to take a position on the Appropriations Committee. Weldon, a physician, had focused mainly on Federal Employees Health Benefits program issues and the concept of creating a cafeteria-style federal benefits program since taking over in mid-2001 after the resignation from Congress of the former chairman, Rep. Joe Scarborough, R-Fla. Rep. Jo Ann Davis, R-Va., a second-term member with a scant record on civil service issues-although she has served on a federal technology and procurement subcommittee-is in line to take over the position. Rep. Ernest Istook, R-Okla., will remain head of the Treasury-Postal appropriations subcommittee, the panel that writes the spending bills covering federal benefit programs and general government operations.