Fundraising and committee membership

Do you know why there are so many members of the House Finance Committee?

Could it be that all of them offer critical expertise to the committee?  Could it be that most members are successful incumbents in general elections?  Could it be that the qualified in financial issues are many?

One reason is that the finance issue lobbyists and the companies they represent give large financial contributions to the committee's membership, especially to its leadership.

It used to be common with most house committees that their legislators with the most experience moved up their parties' leadership ladder.  Nowadays, however, committee members who have the most success raising money is a committee's most valuable members.

Most legislators spend around half of their time personally fundraising; gaining a seat in a rich committee helps them and their respective political parties raise money for future elections.