55 Dems (plus Hoyer?) want "regular order"

A group of about 55 Democrats, many of them members of the fiscally conservative Blue Dog caucus, are imploring their leadership in the House to change controversial rules intended to bypass lengthy committee hearings and amendments.

In recent months, Speaker Nancy Pelosi has suspended "regular order" to fast-track huge bills, including the bank bailouts and the stimulus package -- angering many committee and subcommittee chairs who resented being shut out of decision-making.

The group is appealing to Majority Leader Steny Hoyer, who is close to the Blue Dogs, complaining such actions are an invitation to the kind of abuses seen during more than a decade of "one-party Republican rule," according to a draft letter intended for Hoyer.

Hoyer, who is sympathetic, is expected to take their request up with Pelosi.

"We strongly share the view that regular order is important to both the House institutionally and to moving the strongest possible agenda for the American people," said a person close to Hoyer.

The Democrats, including moderate Jim Cooper (D-Tenn) and liberal Peter DeFazio, haven't sent the missive and are hoping for a modification of the rules before they take their complaints public, a Democratic aide told Politico.

Cooper made the Blue Dog case to the Democratic caucus on Monday, telling Politico's Alex Isenstadt, "They really don’t care what Blue Dogs think... There’s huge frustration.”

The letter's existence was first reported by The Hill late Monday.

“Committees must function thoroughly and inclusively, and cooperation must ensue between the parties and the houses to ensure that our legislative tactics enable rather than impede progress,” the members wrote. “In general, we must engender an atmosphere that allows partisan games to cease and collaboration to succeed."

A Pelosi spokesman didn't immediately return a request for comment.

Glenn Thrush is senior staff writer at Politico Magazine.