First elected to Congress in 1996, he rose to become a member of the senior House Democratic leadership, serving as
Chief Deputy Whip. He served on the powerful and exclusive
Ways and Means Committee, the
Financial Services Committee, and the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He was an elected and later a leadership representative on the
Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and also among the small group of legislators selected for the Parliamentary Group, representatives called upon for rapid parliamentary and procedural action on the floor of the U.S. House. Sandlin was a member of the
Blue Dog Coalition and was Chairman of the Blue Dog Energy Task Force. Additionally, he served as Chairman of the Democratic Caucus Financial Services Task Force and was a member of the
New Democrat Coalition. While in the House, Sandlin was frequently asked to present and argue policy, and the
Austin American-Statesman noted "Sandlin is a forceful and articulate speaker, a lawyer by trade who treats audiences like juries that can be charmed, coaxed, inspired and won over." The Paris Daily News noted that "Sandlin is highly polished...with God-given speaking talents" and an "...ability to communicate eloquently."
Consensus building Sandlin was known as a consensus builder, and
The Almanac of American Politics noted that he had a "...moderate voting record that straddles Democratic wings." The Democratic Caucus and leadership often called upon Sandlin's coalition-building skills and
U.S. Rep. George Miller (D-CA) noted "We've always looked for a way to build that bridge [between liberals and centrists]. He [Sandlin] certainly has that talent." The Austin American-Statesman added that "Sandlin's a versatile campaigner, equally at home with Unitarians as he is in a roomful of good ol' boys."
Redistricting and defeat Sandlin was a primary target of the
Republican 2003 re-redistricting process orchestrated by then-
House Majority Leader Tom DeLay (R-TX). Sandlin's district was made significantly more urban and Republican than its predecessor. Sandlin denounced the reconfiguring of his district, calling it an illegal and unconstitutional effort to dilute and eliminate the voices of rural and minority voters. Sandlin lost to former district judge
Louie Gohmert in a massive landslide, taking only 39 percent of the vote. Three other members of the so-called "Texas Five" were also defeated after their districts were radically altered. No Democrat has garnered more than 35 percent of the vote since Sandlin left office. ==Private life==