This week, new leadership will be appointed by House Republican leaders for several key committees, shaping how President-elect Trump’s objectives will be pursued within the GOP for the next two years.
While most committee chair positions face little competition, some leaders are either leaving Congress or reaching their term limits as dictated by House GOP rules. Unlike their Democratic counterparts, House GOP chairs are typically restricted to serving no more than three consecutive terms.
The impending departures of current chairs have led to competitive races for vital committees, such as the Energy and Commerce and Financial Services committees. Members of the House GOP Steering Committee, comprising over 30 elected Republican leaders and regional representatives, will select the new chairs.
Energy and Commerce leadership race highlights Guthrie and Latta’s visions
These recommendations will then be presented to the full House GOP conference for official approval. Presentations from candidates are being held on Monday and Thursday, with selections expected to be finalized by the end of Thursday. The full GOP conference is anticipated to endorse the recommendations the following week.
Several key races for House GOP chair positions in the 119th Congress are heating up. With outgoing Energy and Commerce Committee Chair Cathy McMorris Rogers (R-Wash.) choosing not to seek reelection, a contest has emerged between Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) and Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) for this influential panel.
This committee oversees a wide array of policy areas and federal departments, including health care, the Department of Energy, and the Food and Drug Administration.
Latta is poised to be the most senior Republican on the committee, having served on all six of its subcommittees, including chairing two: communications and technology, and digital commerce and consumer protection. He has authored 33 bills into law, including initiatives aimed at expanding nuclear fuel programs and enhancing 5G connectivity.
Conversely, Guthrie has experience on five of the six subcommittees and currently chairs the health subcommittee. He emphasizes priorities such as energy production permitting reform and outpacing China in the race to develop 6G technology.
The West Point graduate is also known for his approachable demeanor. With Rep. Patrick McHenry (R-N.C.) leaving Congress, the chair position on the House Financial Services Committee is contested among four candidates.
Reps. Andy Barr (R-Ky.), French Hill (R-Ark.), Frank Lucas (R-Okla.), and Bill Huizenga (R-Mich.) are all vying to succeed McHenry, who was term-limited. This committee oversees vital areas, including Wall Street, the Federal Reserve, and cryptocurrency, all expected to be crucial in Trump’s upcoming administration.
Barr, currently chairing the Subcommittee on Financial Institutions and Monetary Policy, champions free-market principles and positions himself as a bridge between traditional Republican interests and Trump’s America First agenda. He enjoys close ties with House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.), an influential figure on the Steering Committee.
Hill serves as vice chair of the Financial Services Committee and heads the subcommittee focused on digital assets and financial technology. His reputation as a cryptocurrency expert has been bolstered by his proposal for regulating digital assets.
Lucas, a seasoned member of the House with three decades of experience, highlights his tenure as the longest-serving Republican on the Financial Services Committee. He believes his extensive Capitol Hill experience positions him well to lead the committee effectively.
Huizenga, chair of the oversight and investigations subcommittee, advocates for a stable economy and effective regulation, emphasizing the importance of collaboration with Senate colleagues, particularly Sen. Tim Scott (R-S.C.), who is likely to lead the Senate Banking Committee.
Michael McCaul (R-Texas), the outgoing chair of the House Foreign Affairs Committee, has opted not to seek a waiver for an extended term, prompting a competitive four-way race involving Reps. Brian Mast (R-Fla.), Darrell Issa (R-Calif.), Ann Wagner (R-Mo.), and Joe Wilson (R-S.C.).
Wagner, currently the committee’s vice chair, emphasizes her extensive foreign affairs experience, including her previous role as U.S. ambassador to Luxembourg and her co-chairmanship of the Abraham Accords Caucus, which focuses on supporting the agreements normalizing relations between Israel and Arab states.
Should she be appointed chair, Wagner aims to address issues regarding China and Iran, enhance border security, and counter Russian aggression. Issa presents himself as a highly qualified candidate, citing his travels to over 100 countries and relationships with global leaders as key assets. His previous experience as chair of the House Oversight and Accountability Committee, known for huge investigations, adds to his credentials.
Positioning himself as a seasoned figure in the race, Wilson highlights his leadership in numerous congressional delegations and presents unique campaign materials, including pieces from the Berlin Wall that he acquired in 1990. One of his primary goals is to collaborate with President-elect Trump on codifying sanctions against Iran, having previously sponsored the Maximum Pressure Act.
Mast, a veteran of the U.S. Army, emphasizes his military background, including receiving a Purple Heart. His famous show of support for Israel involved wearing his military uniform to the Capitol, symbolizing his commitment to U.S.-Israeli relations.
With Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.) stepping down as Education and Workforce Committee Chair after receiving a term-limited waiver, the race is now between Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.), who previously challenged Foxx, and Rep. Burgess Owens (R-Utah).
Walberg advocates for his seniority and emphasizes priorities like parental rights, combating campus antisemitism, and reforming educational privacy laws. His involvement in the committee is crucial as it aims to advance partisan reconciliation bills intended for Trump’s signature, particularly regarding student loans.
Owens is focusing on school choice, addressing campus antisemitism, and promoting hiring practices that emphasize skills relevant to a capabilities-based economy. Sam Graves (R-Mo.), the current chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is seeking a fourth term after receiving a waiver, particularly following President-elect Trump’s decision to nominate Sean Duffy as Transportation Secretary.
Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) is also contending for this influential position. Graves touts his legislative experience, particularly his role in passing the five-year Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization bill, and aims to use an upcoming highway reauthorization bill to advance Trump’s transportation priorities.
Crawford argues for a focused investment strategy, emphasizing essential transportation infrastructure like highways, railways, ports, and airways, and contends that funding should not be diverted to less critical projects.
