Women will not lead a House committee for the first time in two decades after House Republicans unveiled their list of committee chairs for the 119th Congress on Thursday.
The 17 permanent committeeswhose leaders were elected by the Board of Directors of the House of Representatives, shall be dominated by white men When the new Congress sits on January 3. They didn’t even elect a person of color.
The last time a woman did not chair at least one standing committee in the House was the 109th Congress, from 2005 to 2006.
“From securing our southern border, unleashing American energy, fighting to curb inflation, and making our communities safe again, our Commissioners are ready to get to work, delivering on the mandate of the American people and implementing President Trump’s America-First agenda,” House said. Majority Leader Steve Scalise said in announcing the slate of chairs. “House Republicans are heading into the 119th Congress ready to tackle the issues that matter most to working Americans and fight for meaningful legislative victories.
“I look forward to working with these strong leaders and their Commissions to advance President Trump’s priorities and deliver the government they voted for in November,” he added.
In this July 11, 2023 file photo, Representative Cathy McMorris Rodgers, chairwoman of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, speaks during a press conference at the Capitol in Washington, DC.
Anna Moneymaker/Getty Images, FILE
Three Republican women chaired House committees in the 118th Congress: Rep. Kay Granger of Texas chaired the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers of Washington chaired the Energy and Commerce Committee, and Rep. Virginia Foxx of North Carolina chaired the Education and Workforce Committee.
Neither Granger nor McMorris Rodgers ran for re-election in 2024, although Foxx won an 11th term. However, Foxx, 81, had already been there he refused to lead his committee In the 118th Congress, the House went beyond the six-year term limits set by the GOP, and did not request additional waivers. He was President of the 115th Congress, as well as a member of the 116th and 117th. Rep. Tim Walberg of Michigan will take over as chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee.
In this May 23, 2024 file photo, Representative Virginia Foxx speaks during a hearing of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce at the Capitol in Washington, DC.
Michael A. McCoy/Getty Images, FILE
“Committee chairs are very important positions, but we have every member involved,” Chamber President Mike Johnson. he said earlier this week before the elections “We have extraordinary women serving in Congress and the Republican Conference. In fact, we elected some very strong women in the next graduating class.
“We value those voices. And everyone at the table has the same say,” he said. “It’s a thoughtful election. We’re embarrassed of riches, frankly.”
Speaker of the House Mike Johnson speaks during a press conference for House Republicans following a leadership meeting on Capitol Hill in Washington, Nov. 13, 2024.
Nathan Howard/Reuters
Rep. Brian Mast of Florida, a close Trump ally, will chair the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Rep. Jim Jordan of Ohio will continue to lead the Judiciary Committee, Rep. James Comer of Kentucky will continue to lead the Oversight Committee, and Rep. Jason Smith of Missouri will continue to lead the powerful Ways and Means Committee.
“Very appropriate in the MAGA era – Women don’t have to apply,” former Virginia Rep. Virginia Comstock, a Republican. published before the final elections.
The Republican Party will have a triumvirate in the new year with control of the House, Senate and White House, however razor-thin majority The House’s 220 Republicans and 215 Democrats will leave little room for dissent, especially with two members of the House government slated to be appointed to Trump administration positions and the resignation of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.
“After four years of suffering under the radical policies of the Biden-Harris Administration and the Democrat-controlled Senate, the American people have made it clear that they are ready for a change,” Scalise added. “With Republicans in control of the White House, the Senate and the House, it is imperative that President Trump’s agenda be moved effectively and thoughtfully so that our nation can quickly recover.”
ABC News’ John Parkinson contributed to this report.
