Minority, civil rights groups back Rush for communications panel

Rep. Bobby Rush, D-Ill., has received the backing of a group of minority and civil rights groups in his bid to become the ranking Democrat on the House Energy and Commerce Communications, Technology and the Internet Subcommittee.

In a letter Monday to House Speaker Rep. Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., the groups cited Rush's experience on the committee, his work on the 1996 telecommunications act and ability to work well with other Democrats and Republicans.

"With the exhaustive list of issues awaiting CTI's consideration, we need to be sure that the ranking member of this crucial subcommittee is up to speed," according to the letter signed by such groups as the Minority Media & Telecommunications Council, National Association for the Advancement of Colored People, the Urban League and the Rainbow Push coalition. "Congressman Rush is not only up to speed, but he is ahead of the curve. His years of experience and intricate knowledge of current issues within CTI's domain make him the optimal candidate for this position.

The current chairman of the Communications Subcommittee, Rep. Rick Boucher, D-Va., was defeated in the midterm election earlier this month, leaving the top Democratic spot on the panel open in the next Congress when the GOP will have control of the House. Rush is currently the chairman of the Commerce, Trade, and Consumer Protection Subcommittee but announced earlier this month his desire to switch to become the ranking member on the Communications panel.