Complex sentence: Since the position of majority whip is usually a stepping-stone to the majority leadership and, ultimately, to the House speakership, Rostenkowski was tempted to take it, however his skill and vast experience on the tax writing Ways and Means Committee won out.
Split into simpler sentences: Since the position of majority whip is usually a stepping-stone to the majority leadership and, ultimately, to the House speakership, Rostenkowski was tempted to take it. However his skill and vast experience on the tax writing Ways and Means Committee won out.