Area Hoping to Cash In on Hill

In any case, legislators said other benefits might also flow Maryland's way: additional funds to clean up the bay, reduce air pollution and bolster homeland security.

"With the Democratic takeover of Congress, Maryland is going to be in a very solid position," said Sen. Barbara A. Mikulski (D), who will chair the state delegation in January when Sen. Paul S. Sarbanes (D) retires.

Homeland security is a paramount concern. "There is a lot of cohesion in the delegation to make sure our area receives its fair share," said Rep. Chris Van Hollen (D), who represents most of Montgomery County. "New York and Washington mysteriously were not eligible for as much funding as they had been in the past."

Mikulski is expected to head two appropriations subcommittees. Cummings probably will become chairman of either a transportation subcommittee or a criminal justice and drug policy subcommittee. Rep. Albert R. Wynn (D-Md.) could lead a subcommittee with jurisdiction over telecommunications and the cable industry.

"This is a huge windfall for Maryland," said incoming Maryland comptroller Peter Franchot (D).

In Virginia, some prominent lawmakers stand to lose power. Republican Sen. John W. Warner, for example, will relinquish his chairmanship of the Senate Armed Services Committee.

"Not having Warner at Armed Services hurts, but he's still very respected, and I think he will still be effective," said Rep. Thomas M. Davis III (R) of Fairfax.

And Davis said he is reconciled to losing the chairmanship of the House Committee on Government Reform. That panel lacks the power of Ways and Means or Appropriations, but it is of special importance to federal workers, among others.

"I don't think it changes things. It only gives me more time," he said.

Any loss of an advocacy for Virginia interests could be offset by Webb's victory over Sen. George Allen (R-Va).

Democrats have criticized Allen during his six years in the Senate for lackluster interest in regional priorities.

As Virginia's longest-serving member of Congress, Rep. Frank R. Wolf (R) of Fairfax County has perhaps the most to lose in the regional delegation: 12 years of majority rule and chairmanship of an influential House Appropriations subcommittee overseeing the Departments of State, Justice and Commerce.