Republican takeover of U.S. House to cost N.J. much of its clout in Washington
For the last four years, New Jersey, has exercised outsized power in the U.S. House thanks to Democrats holding key positions, but the state will find its clout diminished come January when Republicans once again control the chamber.
No longer will Rep. Frank Pallone Jr., D-6th Dist., chair the House Energy and Commerce Committee, one of the most powerful panels in the House. Six of the delegations nine other Democrats chair subcommittees, and they will lose those gavels as well, and with them the ability to frame legislation and decide which bills they will debate.
