House Chairmen and Ranking Members in the Next Congress

• By Roll Call Staff
• Dec. 9, 2012, 2 p.m.

House leaders have chosen the following members to be chairmen and ranking members of committees in the 113th Congress, with several changes from the 112th Congress.

Agriculture

Chairman: Frank D. Lucas, Okla.

The farm bill remains front and center on the committee’s “to do” list.

Ranking member: Collin C. Peterson, Minnesota

Appropriations

Chairman: Harold Rogers, Ky.

This is Rogers’ second term wielding the gavel in the post-earmark era of fiscal austerity.

Ranking member: Nita M. Lowey, N.Y.*

Armed Services

Chairman: Howard “Buck” McKeon, Calif.

Beyond sequestration, this panel faces a difficult task balancing new security threats abroad and dwindling resources at home.

Ranking member: Adam Smith, Wash.

Budget

Chairman: Paul D. Ryan, Wis. The committee’s profile has never been higher given its chairman is a former vice presidential nominee and prospective 2016 presidential contender.

Ranking member: Chris Van Hollen, Md.

Education and the Workforce

Chairman: John Kline, Minn.

Kline is likely to tackle a range of issues punted by the 112th Congress, including replacing parts of No Child Left Behind and an overhaul of federal workforce training programs.

Ranking member: George Miller, Calif.

Energy and Commerce

Chairman: Fred Upton, Mich.

Given President Barack Obama’s re-election, expect more of the same in the form of measures signaling displeasure with the administration.

Ranking member: Henry A. Waxman, Calif.

Ethics

Chairman: To be determined

This continues to be the most notoriously thankless job in Congress.

Ranking member: Linda T. Sánchez, Calif.

Financial Services

Chairman: Jeb Hensarling, Texas*

New leaders likely means a more contentious atmosphere on the panel as it considers banking and housing regulations.

Ranking member: Maxine Waters, Calif.*

Foreign Affairs

Chairman: Ed Royce, Calif.*

The low-profile Royce has said his main focus will be on preventing Iran from acquiring a nuclear weapon.

Ranking member: Eliot L. Engel, N.Y.*

Homeland Security

Chairman: Michael McCaul, Texas*

Among the incoming chairman’s top priorities is border security, in addition to dealing with foreign terrorist threats.

Ranking member: Bennie Thompson, Miss.

House Administration

Chairman: Candice S. Miller, Mich.*

Miller is a former Michigan secretary of state so she has a keen interest in the committee’s jurisdiction over the federal election process.

Ranking member: Robert A. Brady, Pa.

Intelligence

Chairman: Mike Rogers, Mich.

Rogers and Ruppersberger share a good rapport on a panel where a top priority will be passing cybersecurity legislation.

Ranking member: C.A. Dutch Ruppersberger, Md.

Judiciary

Chairman: Robert W. Goodlatte, Va.*

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