Jennifer Dunn

From Les Blumenthal in our D.C. bureau:

WASHINGTON - He's been campaigning for it for weeks, but today it became official - Republican Rep. Dave Reichert was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The committee is one of the most powerful in the House, dealing with taxes, health care and trade.

Apparently Washington's 8th Congressional District has a reserved seat on the committee. Reichert's predecessors from the 8th, Jennifer Dunn and Rod Chandler, were also on the committee.

Not surprisingly, Reichert is thrilled, saying the appointment will "enable me to continue my tireless advocacy for enacting free trade agreements, keeping taxes low for families, business and individuals and ensuring access to affordable, high quality health care."

Reichert joins another Washington state representative, Democrat Jim McDermott, on the committee.

Here is another post from our McClatchy News partner Les Blumental from Washington, D.C.:

WASHINGTON — He’s been campaigning for it for weeks, but today it became official — Republican Rep. Dave Reichert was appointed to the House Ways and Means Committee.

The committee is one of the most powerful in the House, dealing with taxes, health care and trade.

Apparently Washington's 8th Congressional District has a reserved seat on the committee. Reichert's predecessors from the 8th, Jennifer Dunn and Rod Chandler, were also on the committee.

Not surprisingly, Reichert is thrilled, saying the appointment will "enable me to continue my tireless advocacy for enacting free trade agreements, keeping taxes low for families, business and individuals and ensuring access to affordable, high quality health care."

Reichert joins another Washington state representative, Democrat Jim McDermott, on the committee.

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.