Congressional Black Caucus backs Rush as top Dem on telecom subpanel

The Congressional Black Caucus has endorsed Rep. Bobby Rush (D-Ill.) to become the top Democrat on the panel overseeing telecom issues.

The caucus's five-member leadership team sent House Speaker Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) on Monday in support of Rush's bid to become ranking member of the House Energy and Commerce Communications subcommittee in the next Congress.

The panel expressed their "unwavering and unconditional support" for his bid, which could make him "the first African-American to hold that position in the entire history of the U. S. House of Representatives."

Other possible contenders include Reps. Mike Doyle (D-Penn.) and Anna Eshoo (D-Calif.). Decisions may come as late as next year.