Ryan and Wilson Congressional rankings rise

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U.S. Rep. Tim Ryan of Niles

Ryan and Wilson Congressional rankings rise

YOUNGSTOWN —¬†Like “The Jeffersons,” the Mahoning Valley’s two U.S. House members are “movin’ on up.”

But instead of “a dee-luxe apartment in the sky,” U.S. Reps. Tim Ryan of Niles, D-17th, and Charlie Wilson of St. Clairsville, D-6th, are moving up in an annual ranking of the most powerful members of Congress.

It was only two years ago that Ryan was ranked as the 422nd most powerful House member. There are 435 seats in the House.

The latest ranking on congress.org — a political Web site that compiles voting records of members of Congress — puts Ryan as the 139th most powerful House member. (His ranking last year was 179.)

What’s changed in two years?

Two years ago, Ryan was a second-year House member in the minority serving on the Armed Services, and the Education and Workforce Committees.

He now has another two years under his belt.

But more importantly, he is in the House majority and serves on the powerful Appropriations Committee.

“We hope we keep moving up because it means we’re bringing money back and doing good things in the district,” Ryan said. “I’m excited about that.”

Read more in Sunday’s Vindicator and at vindy.com