Levin to resign as top Democrat on House tax writing panel
By Kelsey Snell November 29 at 8:05 PM
Rep. Sander M. Levin of Michigan will step down as the top Democrat on the House Ways and Means Committee at the end of this year, opening a position atop one of the most powerful committees in Congress as Democrats seek to combat the agenda advanced by President-elect Trump and congressional Republicans.
Levin, who has been the top Democrat on the committee since 2010, informed colleagues of his plans on Tuesday in a letter, a copy of which was obtained by The Washington Post. His decision to not seek reelection adds a new opportunity for a fresh face to join House Democrats’ top ranks amid frustration over the party’s disappointing election showing.
“It is imperative that we support younger Members as they seek to fully assume the mantle of leadership in the four years ahead, as we also continue to tap the experience of those who have led so many of these battles,” Levin wrote.
Levin’s vacancy sets up a showdown between Reps. Xavier Becerra (D-Calif.) and Richard E. Neal (D-Mass.) over who will be the panel’s top Democrat. Becerra, a close confidant of House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) and a member of the Congressional Progressive Caucus, will leave his position as chairman of the House Democratic Conference at the end of this year. Neal, who challenged Levin for the ranking member slot in 2010, is a well-liked more moderate member with close relationships with many of the younger House Democrats.
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https://www.washingtonpost.com/news/powerpost/wp/2016/11/29/levin-to-resign-as-top-democrat-on-house-tax-writing-panel/?utm_term=.2653b938cd1f&wpisrc=nl_politics&wpmm=1
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I've worked for both of them and they really represent the best of our party. 
