John Conyers Jr.

Michigan

Conyers, 77, is the second-longest-serving House member. In August, Conyers and the minority staff of the committee released a lengthy report, "Constitution in Crisis," that detailed what they said were 26 laws and regulations that President Bush has violated. That prompted Republicans to hint that Conyers would use his new chairmanship to try to impeach the president.

But Conyers will probably be kept on a tight leash by Democratic leaders, who have promised conservative Democrats they will keep close tabs on the investigations sure to come. And in many ways, the committee may be less busy than it was in Republican days, because social issues such as abortion, judicial activism and the public expression of religion are not high on the Democratic agenda.

Conyers will have strong input on one issue likely to be addressed quickly: the fate of Bush's warrantless wiretapping program. Conyers has called the program illegal and unconstitutional. He may also try to reopen legislation authorizing military tribunals, especially if the Supreme Court strikes down part or all of the law passed in September.