House Chairmen and Ranking Members in the Next Congress

• By Roll Call Staff
• Dec. 9, 2012, 2:14 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.*

The new chairman has a full plate with immigration, gun ownership rights, medical malpractice and renewal of the Violence Against Women Act.

Ranking member: John Conyers Jr., Mich.

Natural Resources

Chairman: Doc Hastings, Wash.

Not much is expected to change as the panel focuses on promoting an expansion of oil and gas drilling and developing nuclear, hydroelectric, wind, solar and coal powers.

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