The death of Rep. Elijah Cummings, D-Md., set off a quiet contest to succeed him at the helm of a crucial panel leading the impeachment inquiry into President Donald Trump, according to The New York Times.
Rules call for senio Rep. Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y., to step in as acting chair of the House Oversight and Reform Committee, with a permanent leader elected later, the Times noted.
An election must be held within 30 calendar days, the Times reported.
Though she has not played a big role in the impeachment probe, Maloney is likely to make a strong bid for the position, the Times reported.
But she could face a challenge from Rep. Gerald Connolly, D-Va., who ranks No. 6 on the panel but has taken a more active role in the inquiries, the Times reported.
Rep. William Clay Jr., D-Mo., is third in line, but has largely stayed on the sidelines during committee work, though he is a prominent member of the Congressional Black Caucus, a group his father, Rep. William Clay, helped found.
"I have no interest in discussing this today," he told the Times, adding: "That'll come another day."
Democrats could also consider a wild card from outside the committee, like Rep. Hakeem Jeffries, D-N.Y., who currently sits on the Judiciary Committee and leads the House Democratic Caucus, the Times reported.
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