LOOKING IN ON: WASHINGTON

Sunday, July 29, 2007 | 7:03 a.m.

WASHINGTON - When Nevada's House members come home next month and talk about accomplishments, they might skip over the details of what happened on Thursday .

That was one of those days when the limitations of the state's three-person House delegation became apparent.

Much has been made about the strength of the delegation now that Reps. Shelley Berkley, a Democrat, and Jon Porter, a Republican, are the newest members of the powerful tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.

And with Democratic Sen. Harry Reid as majority leader and Sen. John Ensign running the committee trying to get Republicans re elected to the Senate , the state has arguably amassed more power in Washington than ever before.

But back to those House members. As soon as word went out that Ways and Means would begin work on a hotly debated children's health care bill, Porter and Berkley cleared their calendars for what would become a post-midnight session.

By midday, nearly 40 members of the committee filled its grand neoclassical chamber, joined by a few hundred staff and lobbyists. In some countries, this immense gathering would pass for a parliament.

But Republicans objected to moving forward with the bill, demanding more time for discussion. Democrats declined, sensing a stall tactic that would derail their tight schedule for approving legislation before the August recess.

Republicans then did what minority parties have a right to do - they asked for a full reading of the bill and its amendments. All 482 pages.

Immediately, chatter in the room rose. People started filing out. Groups gathered in the corners and cubbies.

Power is relative on Capitol Hill. Just because you made the team, doesn't mean you're a starter. Until you reach a certain standing, you have to carry the equipment for a few games.

So as members of Ways and Means dispersed, Porter rose to his party's top seat on the dais. As a committee newcomer, his task was to shepherd the reading for several hours. He called for order in the room as the clerk read the legislation.

Berkley, too, didn't stray too far from the chamber, heeding her party's call for a few members to stay behind.

"Seniority does matter," said Professor Ross Baker, who studies Congress at Rutgers University. "Until they get there, they're going to be called on to perform janitorial services."

Porter said he didn't mind the guard duty. It gave him a chance to learn more about the bill.

Earlier that morning, freshman Republican Rep. Dean Heller sat through hours of testimony about another vital Nevada issue, rewriting the 1872 mining law.

After patiently waiting for his turn to speak while those with more seniority took their turn, Heller finally had his chance to ask five minutes of questions. But the congressman whose district has more mining acreage than any district in the nation passed.

Heller gave his speaking time to the committee's ranking Republican, as is customary. Even more senior members do it. Heller waited until the next go-around to use his five minutes of questioning.

In the end though, seniority didn't trump democracy at Ways and Means. As the Capitol closed, the Ways and Means committee hearing dragged on into the night.

The vote finally came about 2:30 a.m.; Porter voted no, Berkley voted yes. The health care tax provisions passed.

Nevada's weary representatives cancel ed each other out.