Still, the class will have one additional member on the steering committee. Rep. James Lankford of Oklahoma was unanimously elected to chair the Republican Policy Committee on Wednesday, meaning he will be in leadership and on the steering committee.
Other freshmen, however, were rebuffed in their bids for leadership. Rep. Martha Roby of Alabama lost to sophomore Rep. Lynn Jenkins of Kansas for the conference vice chairmanship. Rep. Jeff Denham of California lost to Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina in the race to become conference secretary. Both positions come with a steering committee seat.
Lankford said he has heard the call from some members of his class to retain two spots on the steering committee, but he will not push for the cause. He said, however, that as the only other member of his class on the committee, he does feel some responsibility toward his colleagues.
“I will definitely know those members better than most people will on the steering committee and I’ll have the opportunity to represent them,” he said. “I’ll be glad to be able to voice that. I have a responsibility to the people I know.”
Rep. Bill Cassidy has his blood drawn by Alesha Barbour during a free hepatitis screening in the Rayburn House Office Building hosted by the Congressional Viral Hepatitis Caucus to recognize "National Viral Hepatitis Testing Day."
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