House Republicans named the members of their steering committee Wednesday, locking in a new group that holds power to set most committee assignments and committee chairs, significantly influencing how the conference as a whole operates. The 30 person body includes regional representation and members of leadership — whose votes have more weight than other members. But the rank-and-file members are usually allies of leadership, which helps concentrate the power of committee slots to leadership.
Speaker Mike Johnson’s vote counts as four and Majority Leader Steve Scalise’s counts as two, with the rest of leadership and rank and file members weighted equally at one vote. Louisiana, in particular, is going to be a powerful voting bloc for members.
- Rep. Julia Letlow (R-La.) beat out Rep. French Hill (R-Ark.) for a steering seat. Hill is seeking the Financial Services Committee gavel.
- Ways and Means Chair Jason Smith (R-Mo.) clinched the steering seat for his region, despite a challenge from Rep. Diana Harshbarger (R-Tenn.).
- Rep. Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.) defeated House Armed Services Chair Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) for their regional seat.
Rep.-elect Brian Jack (R-Ga.) is the freshman class representative to the group, as was determined last week, and Max Miller represents the sophomore class. Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), the dean of the House, also serves on the steering committee.
Under House rules, several committee chairs are named directly by the speaker, rather than by the steering committee. Johnson will have control of populating Rules, House Administration, Ethics and any select or joint committees, including the House Intelligence Committee.
Leadership:
Speaker Mike Johnson
Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-La.)
Whip Tom Emmer (R-Minn.)
GOP Conference Chair Lisa McClain (R-Mich.)
NRCC Chair Richard Hudson (R-N.C.)
Kevin Hern (R-Okla.)
Blake Moore (R-Utah)
Erin Houchin (R-Ind.)
Guy Reschenthaler (R-Pa.)
Rank and file:
Andrew Garbarino (R-N.Y.)
Mike Kelly (R-Pa.)
Dave Joyce (R-Ohio)
Rob Wittman (R-Va.)
David Rouzer (R-N.C.)
Barry Loudermilk (R-Ga.)
Jason Smith (R-Mo.)
Julia Letlow (R-La.)
Rudy Yakym (R-Ind.)
Jack Bergman (R-Mich.)
Bryan Steil (R-Wis.)
Tom Cole (R-Okla.)
Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.)
Burgess Owens (R-Utah)
Ken Calvert (R-Calif.)
Pat Fallon (R-Texas)
Jodey Arrington (R-Texas)
Vern Buchanan (R-Fla.)
Mario Diaz-Balart (R-Fla.)
Dusty Johnson (R-S.D.)
Tenure-based slots:
Brian Jack (R-Ga.)
Max Miller (R-Ohio)
Hal Rogers (R-Ky.)
