Jim Saxton

In Congress, a good part of advancing your committee assignment relies on what you have in the bank: campaign funds buy influence in the caucus and among colleagues. With GOP Rep. Roscoe Bartlett locked in a battle over who will succeed to the top minority positions on the House Armed Services Committee, here’s a look at how it’s shaping up from the financial angle.

U.S. Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Frederick) believes that he should become the ranking member of the House Armed Services Committee, but he is facing competition from a senior committee member.

Rep. John McHugh (R-N.Y.) recently denied heavy speculation that he planned to resign his seat to run for a position in the New York state Senate. He also drafted a letter to colleagues expressing his interest in becoming the ranking member on the Armed Services Committee.

Among those who may seek the position, McHugh is the only one who ranks with Bartlett.

Last November, Bartlett individually addressed his Republican colleagues on the HASC, and declared his candidacy for the top position.

Three senior members on the committee, Duncan Hunter (R-Calif.), the current ranking member, Jim Saxton (R-N.J.), and Terry Everett (R-Ala.) have all announced that they will not seek reelection this fall.

The impending retirement of the two top Republicans on the House Armed Services Committee has set off a long race to climb to ranking member – one in which Rep. Roscoe Bartlett is locked.