Pelosi Blocks Bid for Helm of Key Committee

Nancy Pelosi put the kibosh on Alcee Hastings’ bid for the chairmanship of the House Intelligence Committee on Tuesday. In defiance of the decision and his critics, who took issue with a prior corruption scandal, Hastings (at right) declared: “Sorry, haters, God is not finished with me yet.”

AP:

WASHINGTON (AP) — In a decision that could roil Democratic unity in the new House, Speaker-to-be Nancy Pelosi passed over Rep. Alcee Hastings Tuesday for the chairmanship of the Intelligence Committee.

Hastings, currently the No. 2 Democrat on the panel, had been aggressively making a case for the top position, supported by members of the Congressional Black Caucus.

Critics pointed out that he had been impeached when he was a federal judge and said naming him to such a sensitive post would be a mistake just as the Democrats take over House control pledging reforms.

“I am obviously disappointed with this decision,” Hastings, D-Fla., said in a statement thanking his supporters. “I will be seeking better and bigger opportunities in a Democratic Congress.”

He learned his bid for the chairmanship was unsuccessful during a closed-door meeting with Pelosi on Tuesday.

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