Vicentinho: "Human Rights could not fall into the wrong hands"
The PT's leader in the Chamber of Deputies, Congressman Vicentinho, confirmed that the party will retain the presidency of the Human Rights and Minorities Commission, which in 2013 was headed by Pastor Marco Feliciano (PSC); the controversial Congressman Jair Bolsonaro (PP) even declared his interest in the commission this year; the PT, the party with the largest caucus in the Chamber, also retained control of three other commissions: the Joint Budget Commission; the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Commission, the House's main commission; and the Social Security and Family Commission.
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The leader of the PT party, Congressman Vicentinho (SP), confirmed that the party will retain the presidency of the Human Rights and Minorities Commission. "We couldn't let the commission fall into the wrong hands."
The Workers' Party (PT), which holds the largest number of seats in the Chamber of Deputies, also retained control of three other committees: the Joint Budget Committee, which analyzes the country's budgetary priorities; the Constitution, Justice and Citizenship Committee, the House's main committee, through which all proposals under consideration pass; and the Social Security and Family Committee, where health and social security projects are processed.
According to him, the nomination of names for the presidencies will only be made after the caucus meeting later this afternoon.
Below is an article from Agência Brasil:
The Workers' Party (PT) will lead the Human Rights Commission of the Chamber of Deputies.
Luciano Nascimento – Reporter for Agência Brasil Edited by: Nádia Franco
After two weeks of negotiations, party leaders today (18) defined the leadership of the permanent committees of the Chamber of Deputies. The PT, the party with the largest caucus, took control of the Committees on Constitution and Justice and Citizenship (CCJ), Social Security and Family and Human Rights and Minorities (CDH). Last year, chaired by Deputy Pastor Marco Feliciano (PSC-SP), the CDH was the subject of several controversies. In addition to the three committees, the PT will also control the Joint Budget Committee (CMO).
"This [Human Rights Commission] was a priority for all of us. We could not, in any way, allow the commission to fall into the wrong hands, as happened last year," said the PT leader, Vicentinho (SP).
The committees are technical bodies whose purpose is to discuss and vote on draft laws submitted to the Chamber. Every year, the House's Board of Directors determines the number of members of the permanent committees based on the principle of proportionality. The chairmanship of the committees is distributed among the parties according to the size of their representation in Congress.
The Workers' Party (PT) feared that the Human Rights Commission (CDH) would end up with the Progressive Party (PP), led by Congressman Jair Bolsonaro (RJ), who even announced he might chair the commission. To prevent this from happening, the PT made a deal with the Brazilian Labour Party (PTB), which initially agreed to take over the commission. Under the agreement, the PT ceded control of the Transportation and Communications Commission in exchange for control of the CDH. "The PTB acted preemptively and secured the Human Rights Commission, and we secured the Transportation Commission, and then the exchange happened," explained Vicentinho.
The PMDB, which holds the second-largest bloc, was assigned the Finance and Taxation, Financial Oversight and Control, and Urban Development committees. The PP will lead the Tourism and Labor, Administration, and Public Service committees.
The PSDB, the main opposition party to the government, will control the Science, Technology, Communication and Informatics Committee and the Foreign Relations and National Defense Committee. The DEM will lead the Public Security and Combating Organized Crime Committee.
The PSD will retain control of the Consumer Protection and Mines and Energy committees – for the presidency of the latter, the party leader, Moreira Mendes (RO), confirmed Congressman Geraldo Thadeu (MG).
The leadership of the Education Committee went to the PSB, and the Culture Committee to the PCdoB. PDT, PROS, PR, Solidariedade, and the bloc formed by PV and PPS were, respectively, given control of the committees on Sports; National Integration and Regional Development and the Amazon; Agriculture, Livestock, Supply, Economic Development, Industry and Commerce; and Environment and Sustainable Development.
Negotiations regarding the division of the commission began two weeks ago, shortly after the return of the legislative year. The PSC wanted the presidency of a commission, but with the creation of Solidariedade (22 parliamentarians) and PROS (19 parliamentarians) last year, the party, which has 13 deputies and led the Human Rights and Minorities Commission (CDHM), lost its right to a commission, according to the proportionality calculation.
Following an agreement between party leaders, the Sports and Tourism Committee was split into two. With the division of the committee, the number of committees increased from 21 to 22.
Initially opposed to the transfer, the PT, which according to the rules would have been entitled to four committees, relinquished one in favor of the PSC, which took over the Participatory Legislation committee. By next week, the parties must decide who will chair the committees.