Sen. Hillary Rodham Clinton has "extraordinary sizzle" but Sen. Charles Schumer wields twice as much clout and is one of the most powerful members of the Senate, according to a new study of congressional effectiveness.

The power rankings by a nonpartisan company, Knowlegis, also show Reps. Sue Kelly, R-Katonah, and Nita Lowey, D-Harrison, as the most effective members of the Hudson Valley House delegation and among the 100 most powerful lawmakers in the 435-member House.

Reps. Maurice Hinchey, D-Hurley, and John Sweeney, R-Clifton Park, posted scores that put them in the middle of the pack of the House rankings.

The five-month study by Knowlegis researchers looked at how well members used committee or leadership positions, influenced the congressional agenda and passed or shaped legislation in 2005.

Schumer emerged as the 18th most powerful of the 100 senators mainly because of high scores for work on his three major committees and as a member of the Senate Democratic leadership team.

He ranked second of 19 members on the banking committee, sixth of 20 on the Finance Committee, which he joined last year, and eighth of 18 on the Judiciary Committee.

Top five for influence

Clinton placed 41st on the Senate’s overall power meter. But she moved ahead of Schumer on points for influence — a category that includes using the media, congressional caucuses and campaign contributions to other members to help shape the agenda and outcome of votes.

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