Congresswoman rejected for key post tells South Bay business leaders she'll continue to fight for aerospace firms.Rep. Jane Harman on Wednesday told a group of South Bay business leaders that "losing with honor ain't bad," a day after Speaker-elect Nancy Pelosi's office confirmed that the South Bay congresswoman would not be named chair of the House Intelligence Committee. "I'm disappointed because it's a committee I love and work I'm passionate about," Harman told the audience, which included executives from aerospace firms Northrop Grumman, Boeing and Raytheon. "I will stay in the game. Security is my passion, and security is my priority in my congressional district."
The audience of about 200 business leaders, who gathered at the Torrance Hilton for Harman's annual "State of the Region" address, showed its support by giving her two extended standing ovations.
In an interview after the speech, the El Segundo Democrat said Pelosi has not yet spoken with her to confirm her decision. "Like Yogi says, 'It ain't over till it's over,' " Harman said. But she also said she expected Pelosi would name her replacement on the committee next week, and said that she looked forward to helping that person with the transition. Harman said she would continue to work on security issues on the Energy and Commerce Committee and the Homeland Security Committee.