Pomeroy gets chairmanship after panel shakeup

BISMARCK, N.D. (AP) - A shakeup on the U.S. House's influential Ways and Means Committee has left North Dakota Rep. Earl Pomeroy as chairman of a subcommittee on Social Security.

The incumbent Democrat says he'll hold the position at least for the rest of the year. Pomeroy is running for his 10th term.

North Dakota Republicans are choosing their favored candidate to oppose Pomeroy at their state convention in Grand Forks in two weeks.

The committee reshuffling is happening because New York Rep. Charles Rangel stepped down as its chairman because of ethics problems. Public Service Kevin Cramer is one of the Republican candidates for the House. He says it appears the Democratic majority is trying to bolster Pomeroy's image back home.