Black Caucus poised for key House roles

WASHINGTON, Nov. 16 (UPI) -- Congressional Black Caucus members are in line for key leadership roles in the U.S. House of Representatives when the Democrats assume control in January.

Five caucus members are poised to lead House committees, including John Conyers Jr. of Michigan, Judiciary; Alcee Hastings of Florida, Intelligence; Juanita Millender-McDonald of California, House Administration; Charles Rangel of New York, Ways and Means; and Bennie Thompson of Mississippi, Homeland Security. Another member, S.C. Rep. James Clyburn, may become majority whip, the third-ranking Democrat in the chamber.

"If they accede to that much power, it would truly be the realization of the kind of dream we've been waiting for since the civil rights movement," Ronald Walters, a University of Maryland political science professor and a former political strategist, told The Washington Post.

Walters said the positions aren't done deals, though. The appointment of Millender-McDonald is less certain than others under consideration and Hastings faces a tough road because of ethics problems.