The Fighting 29th

All about New York's 29th Congressional District

Eric Massa's ceremonial swearing-in ceremonies in Rochester and Canisteo made the evening news on local TV stations.

The Gillibrand appointment will probably have a small direct impact on the 29th District. Gillibrand and Massa serve on the same committees (Agriculture and Armed Services). As the two New York members on Agriculture, they co-ordinated subcommittee picks to cover the major interests of upstate, so her move might have a slight effect on legislation originating from that committee.

Overall, however, the Gillibrand pick is good for upstate Democrats. By all accounts, she's well-qualified, smart and a hard worker. She understands the issues of our region, and, as a newcomer to New York politics, she's not tied in to any machine or interest group. She knows how to raise money and campaign hard. Caroline Kennedy would have been a liability in 2010 -- Gillibrand will be an asset.

The Star-Gazette reports that Eric Massa will host another swearing-in ceremony in Rochester on Monday, from 12:30 to 2 p.m., at the Monroe County Hall of Justice. Corning and Olean events are also planned in the near future.

Today, Eric Massa voted for a resolution which disapproves of further release of TARP funds.

Yesterday, Massa voted for a HR 384, which is a TARP reform package.

This morning's Corning Leader and Star-Gazette have some of Eric Massa's reactions to yesterday's events. The Leader also quotes Amo Houghton, who's gracious as ever.

Eric Massa's office announced that he's been appointed to the Conservation, Credit, Energy and Research, and Horticulture and Organic Agriculture subcommittees.

Eric Massa was one of the passengers on a US Airways regional jet that was diverted to Syracuse after a flap failure. The plane landed without incident.

The Massa office says that Eric Massa will be on Fox, CBS and NBC in Rochester tonight. In the Southern Tier, he will be on "Twin Tiers Sunday" on WENY.

I'm quoted in a long piece about the 29th by Jimmy Vielkind at PolitickerNY.

The Massa office has announced that Eric Massa will serve on the Subcommittee on Air and Land Forces and the Subcommittee on Seapower and Expeditionary Forces in the House Armed Services Committee. He requested the Air and Land appointment because of the presence of a helicopter overhaul facility in Chemung County. The Seapower appointment was probably a foregone conclusion because of his Navy experience.

This morning's D&C has a Congressional roundup story.