Walden hands House E&C committee GOP leadership torch to McMorris Rodgers

U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Greg Walden (R-OR), who has held the position for four years, congratulated his successor, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA), who will take the reins in 2021 as the first woman in either party to serve in the powerful committee’s leadership.

“I am thrilled Cathy will become Republican Leader of the Energy and Commerce Committee in the 117th Congress,” Rep. Walden said. “This is a historic moment for the Energy and Commerce Committee, but most importantly, Cathy is a battle-tested leader who has proven her ability to message some of the most challenging issues of our time in a way that resonates with Americans all across the country.”

The GOP Steering Committee on Dec. 2 selected Rep. McMorris Rodgers as ranking member on the House Energy and Commerce Committee, which has jurisdiction over the nation’s healthcare, technology, environmental and energy policy. In what is considered largely a formality, the full Republican conference is expected soon to approve the Steering Committee’s recommendation.

“I’m honored to have earned the support of my colleagues to serve as the Republican leader of the House Energy and Commerce Committee,” said Rep. McMorris Rodgers. “This committee is critical to addressing the issues that matter to people in eastern Washington, like bridging the digital divide, bringing doctors to rural communities, keeping energy rates low, and protecting free speech online.”

Over the next two years, the congresswoman said the committee first will focus on building upon the Trump administration’s work on Operation Warp Speed for the coronavirus vaccine. “On all fronts, our mission will be to rebuild, restore and renew hope in the American dream,” she said.

Rep. McMorris Rodgers added that her goal as ranking member is to maximize Energy and Commerce to secure America’s and eastern Washington’s future “as the best place in the world to innovate, save lives, and raise people’s standard of living.” 

The congresswoman also recognized Rep. Walden and U.S. Rep. Fred Upton (R-MI), ranking member of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy, for their leadership. “They laid a strong foundation, and it’s my goal to build on that,” she said.

As Republicans fight to take back the majority in the U.S. House of Representatives for the next Congress, Rep. Walden said he believes that Rep. McMorris Rodgers “is uniquely qualified to take on this leadership role. I know this will be a seamless transition.”