Nine incoming House Democrats assume place in pecking order: the end

By David A. Fahrenthold
Washington Post Staff Writer
Monday, January 3, 2011; 9:26 PM

They call themselves "the Mighty Nine."

Which is half true - there are, in fact, nine of them.

But "mighty" is definitely the wrong word for the nine lonely Democrats who will be sworn in as House members on Wednesday. They defied last fall's Republican landslide - winning mainly in strong Democratic districts - to become the smallest freshman class either party has put forth since at least 1915.

They include former statehouse leaders, a lieutenant governor, a big-city mayor. Now, at the high point of their careers, they must adjust to life as Capitol Hill's lowest of the low.

"We're people that are, you know, used to rolling up our sleeves and getting things done. I suspect we'll find it frustrating when we don't have the position in the Congress to do that," said John Carney (Del.), 54, a former two-term lieutenant governor who won an open congressional seat. "I don't think it'll deter us from working any harder."

History, however, is not encouraging.

Former representative Mike Ward (Ky.) came to Congress under similar circumstances in 1995, as one of 13 Democrats elected during the major 1994 Republican victory. He said his class quickly learned that Congress has a pecking order - and that they came at the end of it. The only way up was to wait. And wait. And wait.

"The Congress is the most futile place in the world, and the most discouraging, and the most depressing" for people in this position, he said.

"You just look around and see the people who have been there for four, six, eight years - 10 years, 12 years - are still just one of the many," said Ward, who was not reelected after serving one term and now works as a political consultant. "You're behind those guys who ain't dying and ain't getting beat anytime soon."

The nine incoming members began moving into their offices on Monday. A staff member guided Karen Bass (Calif.), 57, through the Capitol's basement tunnels and odd little subways, and showed her how she gets to walk around the metal detectors (Bass's special lapel pin hadn't arrived, but the police had already recognized her).

"I turn around and I see my name on the wall," she said. "It made me stop and take a deep breath." Once in her office, Bass closed the door behind her, kicked back and looked for a moment at the still-disconnected television, imagining herself jumping up and running out the door to catch a vote.

"This was real," she said.

Even in victory, the Democrats became a sign of how low their party's fortunes sank on election night.

All won on friendly turf, some very friendly. Only two, Cedric Richmond (La.) and Colleen Hanabusa (Hawaii), beat Republican incumbents. But both of those were traditionally blue seats that had turned red in unusual elections.

For now, the nine appear to have learned one of Washington's lessons: When reality isn't pretty, try to ignore it.

"Minority is really just a mind-set," said Hansen Clarke (Mich.), 53, a former state legislator who defeated Rep. Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick in the Democratic primary. His father was from Bangladesh, which makes Clarke the first Bangladeshi American in Congress. "It's no obstacle."

And yet, it almost assuredly will be.

Once Republicans take over the House, Democrats will find it hard to get their bills passed out of GOP-dominated committees. On the chamber floor, they could see their amendments blocked or voted down.

But for the nine new members, their extra-junior status will add other problems. Carney, whose state is home to large credit card companies, wants a spot on the Financial Services Committee. But freshmen often don't get their first choices.

And, in committee, the freshmen will continually be reminded of their lowly status. The most senior members get to ask their questions first. Freshmen go last, when the excitement and the audience are often gone.

"The challenge is going to be not only being in the minority, but also being bottom of the pecking order," said Hanabusa, 59, who defeated Rep. Charles Djou (R). She will become one of eight Asian American representatives, according to House statistics. "These are the deck of cards we've been dealt. And we've got to make the most of it."

The incoming Democrats make a sharp contrast with the freshmen across the aisle. According to House figures, the Democratic freshman class is 44 percent women (four in nine) and 56 percent African American (five in nine), compared with 11 percent women (nine in 82) and less than 2 percent (two in 82) on the GOP side.

Among the GOP freshmen are five Hispanics; the Democrats have none.

The Republican class also comes with different experience. Many GOP freshmen had never run for office before. Eight of the nine Democrats have held an elected post. They include Bass, who was speaker of her state's assembly; Hanabusa, who was president of her state's Senate; and David Cicilline (R.I.), 49, the former mayor of Providence.

Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.), who will become House minority leader, has already given Bass and Cicilline seats on her caucus's Steering and Policy Committee. She has a weekly meeting with freshman and sophomore Democrats.

But the freshmen know they also need friends across the aisle. So, like new kids at school, they're looking for icebreakers.

For Hanabusa, it will be her home state. Who doesn't want to talk about Hawaii? Carney hopes he can get into a regular basketball game. Cicilline is hoping to create a kind of dinner party caucus. What if the nine Democrats found nine Republicans to socialize with regularly?

"I haven't developed a name yet," he said. "You can only come if you can bring a person of the opposite party."

Unfortunately, history indicates that none of that would do much good, at least in the short term. The freshman Democrats of 1995, for instance, had to wait 12 years before their party came back to power.

Five of the 13 are still in Congress, including Rep. Zoe Lofgren (Calif.), who rose to chairman the House ethics panel, and Rep. Chaka Fattah (Pa.), who found a place on the powerful Appropriations Committee.

There is some hope for the not-so-mighty nine: Rep. Kevin McCarthy (Calif.) was one of 13 Republicans elected in the Democratic wave of 2006. Just four years later, he will be House majority whip, the third-ranking Republican, when the new Congress is sworn in on Wednesday.

Fattah offered advice for this group of freshmen: First, wait - and keep winning. "It's going to take an election or two more for them to really be in a position to kind of live up to their own expectations."

Another piece of advice: golf. Play it. That way, you can meet other lawmakers in a more casual setting.

But here again, the hyperdrive metabolism of the nine - the very thing that got them to Congress - could make it hard to live in their new world.

"I don't think that I have the proper temperament" for golf, Hanabusa said. "I'm good only for the first five holes, and after that I'm thinking about what else I could be doing."

Samoan language only. 

Governor appoints Aumua Amata as Liaison to Interior Secretary's federal Interagency Group for Insular Areas
February 24, 2005

by Fili Sagapolutele

Samoa News Correspondent
March 3, 2005

Aumua Amata Coleman has been appointed as the Governor Togiola's Liaison to the federal Interagency Group for Insular Areas (IGIA), chaired by Department of Interior Secretary Gale Norton.

The Governor's Office' Chief Legal Counsel and director of communications, Toetasi Tuiteleleapaga said the appointment was made Feb. 24 and Deputy assistant secretary for Interior on Insular areas, Papali'itele David B. Cohen was officially informed of the appointment via letter.

In the letter, Togiola said, "Aumua Amata's background and experience in Washington D.C. will be an asset to the Territory's current efforts as part of the Interagency group."

Amata accompanied Togiola during this week's IGIA meeting in Washington D.C. and the Governor asked Secretary Cohen to extend to Amata "customary professional courtesy and cooperation."

"Amata will be handling for the Governor issues of importance to American Samoa that comes before the federal IGIA," said Tuiteleleapaga when asked about Amata's duties.

A candidate for the U.S. Congress, Amata was a White House Commissioner on Pacific Islanders and Asian Americans from 2001-2004. She also served on the U.S. House Republican Majority Leadership Staff and was honored by the National Association of Professional Asian American Women, as Woman of the Year 2003-2004.

A graduate of the University of Guam, Amata is a veteran of Capitol Hill and remains active in health and education issues. She also maintains strong ties to Republicans in the U.S. House of Representatives.

As for the IGIA meeting on Tuesday, Interior Department Secretary Gale Norton provided opening remarks.

The issues that were on the agenda included environmental infrastructure, health care and health disparities and a report by the Department of Health and Human Services, Tax Policy and the American Jobs Creations Act.

Reach the reporter at fili@samoanews.com.

Amata's Pacific Notebook: "EFFECTIVENESS"
July 25, 2007

by Amata Aumua
Reprinted from Samoa News

Last week I had the privilege of attending the annual Washington commemoration of Guam's Liberation from Japanese forces in World War II and the American victory in the Battle of the Marianas. Of course these are major holidays on Guam and in CNMI but, following so closely on the heels of the invasion of Normandy in 1944--the occasion for substantial ceremonies on major anniversaries--the Marianas campaign has been little noticed in Washington until recent years.

Initiated a number of years ago by Guam's then-congressman, Robert Underwood, as a simple wreath-laying ceremony at the Tomb of the unknown Soldier in Arlington National Cemetery, followed by a small gathering for refreshments back at the congressman's office, this observance has grown to the point that it now rivals Pacific Night as the "event of the year" on the Pacific Islands social calendar in Washington.

Much credit must go to the current Guam Congresswoman, Madeleine Bordallo, who graciously has shared the spotlight by turning what had been a Guam Liberation Day celebration into a Guam-Northern Marianas event: recognizing the closely related Battle for Saipan, giving the Northern Marianas resident representative equal billing, greatly expanding the invitation list and moving the reception right into the Capitol complex in the Cannon Building's cavernous House Caucus Room.

All the while, the wreath-laying ceremony remains a separate, smaller, dignified Arlington event to which a senior federal official always is invited to participate as a representative of the federal government.

For the reception, however, ably assisted by the Guam Society of America--a local social club of Guam expatriates, Delegate Bordallo and CNMI Resident Representative Pete A. Tenorio provided an array of traditional Chamorro dishes to a crowd of 800 guests that included congressional staff, Bush Administration officials, Government of Guam officials, members of the Armed Forces (from enlisted personnel to generals and admirals), a variety of others with interests in or responsibility for Guam and, of course, a number of Members of Congress, many of whom took the occasion to make remarks to the audience. The Guam Chamber of Commerce also co-sponsored the event, making it possible for talented Chamorro entertainers to perform for the appreciative attendees.

A number of years ago Guam officials adopted what they called a "Team Guam" approach to Washington, in which they pledged to each other that no matter what the party affiliation of the governor, speaker of the legislature and congressional delegate of the day, they would speak with one voice in Washington. Although the term has fallen into disuse, Madeleine has refined the approach to a fine art; it is no wonder that she has achieved an admirable legislative record in her short three terms in the House.

Among other things, she is on the verge of gaining congressional approval for reparations for Guamanians who suffered in World War II, a feat that eluded all of her predecessors (who she nevertheless always is quick to praise for laying the foundation). In fact, her accomplishments have been met with such wide approval at home that she has been reelected twice now without opposition.

It is no wonder that Guam is on the cusp of economic boom times with the impending transfer to the island of 8,000 Marines, who will be accompanied by even more dependents, support personnel and a variety of other people who will move to Guam as a result of the military buildup. Some estimate as many as 30,000 new people will moving to the island.

I do not mean to suggest that Madeleine's winning personality or party hosting skills are more responsible for the Pentagon's renewed interest in Guam than is the island's proximity to major Asian trouble spots, but it has not hurt for Madeleine to have a committee assignment key to Guam's interests: Armed Services, and for official Washington to be exposed to the patriotism and enthusiasm of the Guamanian people as evidenced by the Liberation Day activities. It made little difference that the crowd mostly drowned out the remarks of the U.S. representatives who trooped to the podium at Madeleine's behest. What mattered more was that those Members of Congress saw a room packed with joyous faces, especially the ample number of people of Marianas origin, commemorating the end of the Pacific War in their islands and celebrating anew their membership in the American political family.

It also did not hurt that Madeleine was a member of her political party's national committee for almost 40 years, the last number of years during which she was first in seniority. That political exposure gave her a huge circle of friendships at the national level that was already in place the day she was sworn into Congress.

All that translates into effectiveness in Washington - the kind of effectiveness that cannot be bought by hiring even the most expensive lobbyists in town. Liberation Day has become much more than a battle commemoration and a social event, and Madeleine Bordallo has demonstrated that she knows exactly how to use the occasion to advance Guam's federal agenda as well as acknowledge an important milestone in Guam's history.

As always, I'd love to hear your comments.

Amata addresses 1000 Samoan youths in California on Easter Sunday
April 21, 2003

SAN DIEGO. Organizers of a Samoan Christian Youth Easter Sunday Rally announced that White House AAPI Commissioner Aumua Amata Coleman accepted an invitation to keynote their occasion yesterday. The event, which was organized in conjunction with other Samoan church youth groups from throughout Southern California, took place from 1:00-6:00pm at the El Camino High School Gym in Oceanside, California.

Said Tevesi Fa'apouli, Jr., President of Tautua Samoa of North County of San Diego: "We're pleased and honored that Amata will join us on Easter Sunday. She holds a very key position for our people in Washington, D.C. and we're looking forward to hearing what she has to say."

Amata replied, "I'm delighted to be part of this church event. A lot of hard work has gone into it and the organizers are a dynamic team of Samoans who do a lot for their community. Along with President Tevesi Fa'apouli, Jr., is Vice President Nu'uese Puni; Secretary Allen Soliaisia; Treasurer Motu Matila. Executive Board of Directors are: Rev. Togi Letuligasenoa; Rev. Gafa Tea-Lama; Rev. Fagatua Tili; Rev. Sioelu Puni; Fuli Taveuveu; Uta Ben Afasene; Vaela'a Te'i; Fa'afetai Fa'ai'u; Ala Pesini; Arona Maluia and Vito Levu. Advisors include: Lupe Letuligasenoa; Jacinta Afasene; Talaleu Fa'apouli; Su'esu'e Tuitasi; Lupe Mata'utia and Tammy Fa'apouli. Thanks also to Tania Huff Farley and Rev. Faulalo Leti."

Commissioner Amata concluded by saying, "Next month is Asian Pacific Heritage Month. The Interagency Working Group for the White House Initiative on AAPIs as well as the President's Advisory Commission on AAPIs will also be meeting formally in May."

"I look forward to briefing them on this and other outreach events with the communities. President Bush has emphasized the importance of cultural diversity and his commitments to ensure the needs of everyone across this country and, specifically the AAPI community, are met."

Amata concluded, "He has paved the way for us and tee'd up the effort which has made it easier for us. Now it's up to us to work together with community-based organizations such as Tautua Samoa in order to get the job done."