Numerous House lawmakers are vying to take advantage of a unique opportunity to become major players on energy and environmental legislation by seeking a coveted seat on the Energy and Commerce Committee.
That’s because the 52-member committee is experiencing something of a “brain drain” due to a surge in retirements and members being elected to other offices. The Republican Steering Committee is expected to recommend eight new faces to the committee Friday, and Democrats could add around five new members when they decide on their roster.
“There’s a bunch of interest [in joining the committee], and there’s eight slots, so it’s kind of a big number,” said Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.), who is poised to chair the committee in the next Congress. “There are people who just like the big jurisdiction of the committee, and so there’s a lot of members interested because there’s so many slots.”
So far, congressional aides have confirmed to POLITICO’s E&E News that Republican Reps. Nick Langworthy of New York, Erin Houchin of Indiana and Russell Fry of South Carolina have expressed interest in joining the committee. A person familiar with Rep. Laurel Lee’s thinking also said that the Florida Republican has put her name in the mix.
