December 15, 2010

The Honorable Nancy Pelosi

Speaker of the House of Representatives
H232 The Capitol
Washington, DC 20515

Dear Madam Speaker,

As you know I was Chair of the Oversight and Government

Reform Committee in the 111th Congress. After losing 63 seats in
the midterm election and now finding ourselves in the minority in
the 112th Congress, I decided to withdraw my candidacy following
a conversation with you when you made it clear that I did not have
your support.

As a result of these developments, I am reclaiming my seat on the

Energy and Commerce Committee with full seniority and all rights
and privileges, including the grandfather clause which allows me
to have a seat on both the Energy and Commerce Committee and
the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform. I have held
a seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee since 1989.

I would like to have this done expeditiously before the close of the
111th Congress.

Respectfully,

Edolphus “Ed” Towns

Member of Congress