Congressman Richie Neal is all but claiming victory in his bid to become the top Democrat on the powerful House Ways and Means Committee.

The Springfield Democrat was competing against California Congressman Xavier Becerra, but on Thursday Becerra was named the next attorney general of California.

That leaves Neal in a position to secure the committee post as early as Friday.

Even though Democrats remain in the minority, Neal insisted in an interview Thursday that he’ll have some clout.

“The ranking member, or the lead Democrat on the committee, will have broad influence on hospital reimbursement rates and also the opportunity to discuss with the incoming administration just what research means to the whole state of Massachusetts,” Neal said.

Neal made a bid six years ago to become the top Democrat on the committee, but fell short. That time, he was endorsed by a committee of party leaders but lost in a vote of the full Democratic caucus.