House Taps Ryan as Ways and Means Chairman, Nunes Takes Intelligence Reins
The House Republican Steering Committee recommended Paul Ryan to be the next Ways and Means Committee chairman on Nov. 18 (here). That recommendation was largely expected despite a fight from Rep. Kevin Brady, R-Texas (see 14092532). The Steering Committee made only informal recommendations for leadership on all House committees, and the caucus will vote on the recommendations later in the week.
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Current Ways and Means Chairman Dave Camp, R-Mich., is set to retire at the end of this congressional term. Camp has been negotiating with Finance Committee leadership to move forward in the lame-duck session on tax extender legislation, a potential vehicle for trade bills, such as Generalized System of Preferences and Miscellaneous Tariff Bill renewals. Ryan’s office did not respond for comment. A Ways and Means Republican aide declined to comment on tax extenders, instead saying the trade agenda will be “jumpstarted” if Senate Democrats decide to move on Trade Promotion Authority.
The Steering Committee also recommended current Ways and Means Trade Subcommittee Chairman Devin Nunes, R-Calif., as the next Intelligence Committee chairman. Nunes is not obligated to relinquish his subcommittee chair if he takes the Intelligence post, but some observers have suggested he’ll do so (see 14100102). Rep. Charles Boustany, R-La., is positioned to take that subcommittee gavel in the next Congress, although there has been no leadership confirmation to that effect.
The Steering Committee also recommended the caucus keeps in place Homeland Security Chairman Michael McCaul, R-Texas, Foreign Affairs Chairman Ed Royce, R-Calif., Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster, R-Pa., and Financial Services Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas. All these committees have some influence on trade and customs legislation.