Becerra leaning against trade job

Tuesday, December 16, 2008 1:02 PM CST

WASHINGTON (AP) - Rep. Xavier Becerra, D-Calif., is leaning against taking the job of U.S. trade representative after emerging as the leading candidate for the post and interviewing with President-elect Barack Obama earlier this month.

Becerra has been telling allies in the Latino community that he is leaning toward staying in the House, according to a Democratic official close to the congressman who spoke on condition of anonymity because the decision was not yet public.

Becerra, who was just elected to his ninth term representing Los Angeles, has been facing competing pressures in considering whether to accept the Cabinet job. The trade representative helps set U.S. trade policy and negotiate trade deals.

He sits on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee that writes taxes and oversees health care and trade, and he was just chosen vice chairman of the House Democratic Caucus.

While the Latino community wants more Latinos in Obama’s Cabinet, it could be difficult to get another Latino to replace Becerra in the House Democratic leadership, and Latinos want to ensure they’re represented there with debates looming over issues including immigration and health care.

Associated Press Writer Erica Werner in Washington reported on this story.

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