My own personal Congressman…

…is the Chairman of the Subcommittee on Income Security and Family Support of the House Ways and Means Committee.

What's that mean? Via Slog, Rep. McDermott's office tell us that…

The subcommittee has jurisdiction over many vital social and economic programs that support the American people, including Unemployment Insurance, Temporary Assistance for Needy Families, Supplemental Security Income, some portions of the Social Security Act, and programs to protect and care for vulnerable children and disadvantaged families.

Jim McDermott was the budget king of Olympia in his State Senate days. Stuck in the minority for most of his Congressional tenure, his real capacities as a legislator have never been on display. He's at his best with a gavel in hand, and he'll be an excellent advocate for these essential strands of America's social safety net.

It's getting better all the time.