DeLauro, Andrews to head Dem Steering and Policy panel in 113th

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) on Tuesday tapped Reps. Rosa DeLauro (Conn.) and Rob Andrews (N.J.) to head her party's Steering and Policy Committee in the next Congress.

DeLauro, a close Pelosi ally, is currently a co-chairman of the Steering panel, while Andrews will be a new face in leadership, replacing Rep. George Miller (D-Calif.), who's stepping down after 10 years atop the committee.

The selection of Andrews comes as something of a surprise, as the New Jersey Democrat is currently the subject of an ethics probe into his alleged misuse of campaign funds to take personal trips.

In a report released over the summer, the Office of Congressional Ethics (OCE) said Andrews's campaign expenditures — including thousands of dollars on trips to Los Angeles and Ireland — "may have violated House rules and federal law."

Andrews has denied wrongdoing, but late last year he reimbursed his campaign committee and leadership PAC to the tune of more than $30,000, according to the OCE.

In August, the House Ethics Committee extended its probe into Andrews, but has been silent on the matter since then.

Despite the flap, Pelosi applauded the selection of the new committee leaders, saying they "reflect the diversity, energy, bold ideas, and creative thinking of all House Democrats."

“With Congresswoman DeLauro and Congressman Andrews at the helm, this committee will play a central role in addressing the challenges facing our families, small businesses, and communities nationwide,” Pelosi said Tuesday in a statement.

Rep. Henry Cuellar (D-Texas) will remain a vice chairman of the Steering Committee in the next Congress, while Pelosi chose Rep. Allyson Schwartz (D-Pa.) to replace Rep. Carolyn Maloney (D-N.Y.) in the other vice chairman spot.

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