House committee chairs are typically chosen based on their seniority on the committee, and most committees dont have Republican women or minorities at senior levels. In addition, there just arent that many House Republican women and minorities to go around. In the 113th Congress, which kicks off in January, House Republicans will have 20 women in their camp, compared to 61 House Democratic women. You can count on two hands the number of House Republicans who are minorities. By contrast, in the new Congress, the House Democratic Caucus will have a majority of women and minorities for the first time in history.
Still, that doesnt mean Republican leaders couldnt have picked at least one woman or minority for a committee leadership post. Rep. Candice Miller R-Mich., who is currently eighth in seniority on the House Homeland Security Committee, had a decent shot at taking over that committee. Instead, the chair post went to Rep. Michael McCaul R-Texas, who is ranked fifth in seniority.
House Democratic leaders havent announced who will be the ranking Democrats on each of the committees, but they clearly dominate on the diversity front. Out of the 19 major House committees, as many as nine of the ranking Democrats are expected to be a woman or a minority. Among the more powerful posts: Either Rep. Nita Lowey N.Y. or Marcy Kaptur Ohio is poised to take the top Democratic slot on the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Maxine Waters Calif. is expected to be the ranking Democrat on Financial Services and Rep. John Conyers D-Mich., who is African-American, who will keep his top slot on Judiciary.
MORE: House GOP Committee Chairs Will All Be White Men In Next Congress.