Texas Republicans tapped to chair four committees in new GOP-led U.S. House

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Texas Republicans are set to chair a minimum of four committees in the new GOP-led U.S. House.

Rep. Kay Granger of Fort Worth was chosen as chair of the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Jodey Arrington of Lubbock as chair of the Budget Committee, Rep. Michael McCaul of Austin as chair of the Foreign Affairs Committee and Rep. Roger Williams as chair of the Small Business Committee.

The House GOP’s Steering Committee issued the suggestions for the committee chairs Monday, and the complete Republican convention is predicted to approve them Tuesday, in accordance to the workplace of Majority Leader Steve Scalise, R-La.

Granger and McCaul have been anticipated to chair their respective committees after serving as rating member on them in the earlier Democratic-led Congress. Arrington received the Budget Committee gavel Tuesday, defeating Reps. Lloyd Smucker, R-Pa., and Buddy Carter, R-Ga. And Williams, a automotive supplier, ran unopposed to chair the Small Business Committee.

A fifth Texas Republican, Rep. Dan Crenshaw of Houston, ran to chair the Homeland Security Committee however lost Monday to Rep. Mark Green, R-Tenn.

The Texans are main among the most essential committees in the chamber, particularly when it comes to fiscal issues. The Appropriations Committee oversees authorities spending, and the Budget Committee crafts the annual price range.

“I am humbled by the confidence and trust of my colleagues to lead the effort to rein-in spending, reduce our debt, and restore fiscal responsibility in our nation’s capital as Chairman of the House Budget Committee,” Arrington stated in an announcement. “With the national debt surpassing $31 trillion and over 120% of our entire economy, I believe confronting our unsustainable debt is the greatest challenge of the 21st century.”

The Texas delegation has seen appreciable turnover in latest elections and is rebuilding its affect in Congress. The delegation most just lately misplaced a extremely influential member with the retirement of Rep. Kevin Brady, a Republican from The Woodlands who chaired the highly effective tax-writing Ways and Means Committee.