cardinal

n. a chairman of any subcommittee of the U.S. House of Representatives Appropriations Committee. Subjects: English, United States, Politics

Etymological Note: Probably from the similarity to the College of Cardinals at the Vatican, a body of men who collectively wield great power and influence.

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Citations: 1989 Dan Morgan Washington Post (June 30) “In College of ‘Cardinals,’ A Summer of Frustration” p. A1: This is turning into a difficult summer for the 13 chairmen of the House Appropriations subcommittees, the powerful legislators known reverentially on Capitol Hill as “the cardinals.” 1995 James V. Grimaldi Orange County Register (California) (Dec. 12) “Packard now backs Bosnia plan” p. A1: As a so-called “cardinal,” or appropriations subcommittee chairman, Packard will influence the debate, said Dan Michaelis, spokesman for Rep. Peter King, R-N.Y. 1997 Peter Hardin Richmond Times-Dispatch (Va.) (Jan. 8) “‘Safe’ Wolf Was ‘Present’ ” p. A8: The 57-year-old Wolf is a so-called cardinal on Capitol Hill, the term for chairmen of subcommittees of the House Appropriations Committee. 2001 Jim Myers Tulsa World (Okla.) (May 16) “Istook says no to run for governor” p. 7: Istook gained even more influence after being named a so-called “cardinal,” the moniker given to those who chair an appropriations subcommittee. 2002 Abner J. Mikva Chicago Tribune (Mar. 14) “Kaszak support” p. 18: The editorial mentioned that the district encompasses a good part of the old district of Sidney Yates, and talked about him as a so-called “cardinal” (a chairman of a House appropriations subcommittee). He was that, and a good one. 2005 Bob Kemper @ Washington, D.C. Atlanta Journal-Constitution (Ga.) (Feb. 10) “Kingston’s panel axed in changes”: Subcommittee chairmen are sometimes referred to as “cardinals” on Capitol Hill, for the influence they wield.

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