Showdown in House Foreign Affairs Chair Race Reflects Rifts in Democratic Party

A group of leading Democratic lawmakers have recommended New York Rep. Gregory Meeks as the next chairman of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, after an unusually competitive three-way race for the influential congressional role that has an outsized hand in shaping U.S. foreign policy.

The Democratic steering committee’s endorsement of Meeks seems to clear the way for him to win the chairmanship during the full caucus vote on Thursday. But long-shot progressive challenger Texas Rep. Joaquin Castro hasn’t given up the fight and is still actively rallying support ahead of the full vote, several congressional aides told Foreign Policy.