Becerra passes on trade post, stays in Congress

Democratic Rep. Xavier Becerra said Tuesday he will stay in Congress rather than pursue a job in the administration of President-elect Barack Obama.

Becerra, who has spent 16 years in the House and is a senior member of the Ways and Means Committee and is incoming vice chairman of the Democratic Caucus, had been “in discussions” with Obama’s transition team about a possible nomination to serve as U.S. trade representative.

“I have invested 16 rewarding years serving the people of Los Angeles and my country,” Becerra said in a written statement announcing his decision to stay put. “I am grateful for that privilege and now see a rare opportunity to push across the goal line much of the unfinished business of America: investing in our infrastructure and our workers, universal healthcare, comprehensive immigration reform, and scrubbing a tax code that’s out of shape and behind the times.”

-- Jean Merl