Article snippet: WASHINGTON — Representative Stephen Lynch of South Boston said Monday he plans to run to become chairman of the House’s powerful Oversight and Reform Committee. The prestigious post is vacant after last week’s death of Representative Elijah E. Cummings of Maryland, who has led the committee since Democrats gained the House majority in January. His funeral was Friday in Baltimore. The oversight committee has a major role in the impeachment inquiry into President Trump and its chair is one of the most influential members of Congress. The committee is the main investigative panel in the House, with broad authority to probe just about any matter. “As an attorney, I think I’m well-suited and well-qualified to lead this committee,” said Lynch, 64, a former ironworker and lawyer, who has served 18 years in the House representing a district that includes South Boston, Qunicy, Brockton, and Dedham. He is the chairman of the panel’s subcommittee on national security. If he gains the committee’s gavel, that would boost the clout to the nine-member Massachusetts House delegation. Richard Neal of Springfield chairs the Ways and Means Committee, Jim McGovern of Worcester is chairman of the Rules Committee, and Katherine Clark of Melrose is vice chair of the House Democratic Caucus, a leadership position that puts her close to Speaker Nancy Pelosi. Lynch potentially has an uphill climb to the oversight committee position, although there is only one other publicly declared cand... Link to the full article to read more