The Energy and Commerce Committee will be Rep. Brett Guthrie’s (R-Ky.) show now.
The Steering Committee nominated Guthrie Monday evening, and the House Republican Conference vote to give him the gavel is a formality. Here’s what we expect Guthrie to do as the leader of the panel, which has jurisdiction over huge swathes of the U.S. economy.
First and foremost, Guthrie now has to hit the ground running to tee up major issues President-elect Donald Trump and Republican leaders are hoping to enact via a filibuster-proof reconciliation bill.
Guthrie told us last month he’s eager to get the GOP energy package and spectrum policies ready for reconciliation.
More broadly, Guthrie pitched his colleagues on securing the drug supply chain and doing more on the opioid crisis. Health is a huge interest of Guthrie’s. He’s been chair of the health subcommittee, and pharma and healthcare were his leading financial contributors.
On energy, the Kentucky Republican’s priorities include permitting reform and repealing EV mandates.
Guthrie has plenty of tech ideas too: Beating China to 6G, connecting more Americans to broadband and addressing Big Tech’s treatment of conservative speech. He’s talked about taking another run at overhauling privacy laws too, which failed to make it through the committee earlier this year.
The 60-year-old Guthrie will also have to decide if there are places he can move forward on artificial intelligence.
New members. Guthrie’s committee, which currently has 52 members, will be adding a lot of new faces next year.
At least seven vacancies are expected on the Republican side of the aisle between retirements and members being elected to other offices. Rep. Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) would exit too if he triumphs in his bid to take over the Education and Workforce Committee.
Five members are leaving on the Democratic side.
The exact makeup of the committee will come down to future negotiations between House leaders, but it’s likely the ratio of Republicans and Democrats won’t change drastically.
Several lawmakers are interested in trying to get onto the panel: The offices of Republican Reps. Nick Langworthy (N.Y.), Laurel Lee (Fla.) and Russell Fry (S.C.) have all confirmed they’re seeking seats on Energy and Commerce.
We’ve heard Rep. Gabe Amo (D-R.I.) wants in as well.
