Electing Members to certain standing committees of the House of Representatives.

Bill Number: H.Res. 13
Origin Chamber: House
Congress: 119th Congress, Session 1
Policy Area: Congress
Status: Passed House
Latest Action: 2025-01-06: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
Last Updated: 2025-01-31T22:09:02Z

AI-Generated Summary

Purpose

This House Resolution (H. Res. 13) from the 119th Congress, adopted on January 6, 2025, aims to formally elect specific members of the U.S. House of Representatives as chairs of various standing committees. Standing committees are permanent groups in the House that review legislation, conduct oversight, and handle policy areas like agriculture, defense, and finance. This resolution establishes initial leadership for these committees at the start of the congressional session.

Key Provisions

The resolution names one chair for each of the following 19 standing committees:
Agriculture: Mr. Thompson of Pennsylvania
Appropriations: Mr. Cole
Armed Services: Mr. Rogers of Alabama
Budget: Mr. Arrington
Education and Workforce: Mr. Walberg
Energy and Commerce: Mr. Guthrie
Financial Services: Mr. Hill of Arkansas
Foreign Affairs: Mr. Mast
Homeland Security: Mr. Green of Tennessee
Judiciary: Mr. Jordan
Natural Resources: Mr. Westerman
Oversight and Government Reform: Mr. Comer
Science, Space, and Technology: Mr. Babin
Small Business: Mr. Williams of Texas
Transportation and Infrastructure: Mr. Graves
Veterans' Affairs: Mr. Bost
Ways and Means: Mr. Smith of Missouri
The resolution is attested by the Clerk of the House, making it official.

Significant Changes to Existing Law

This resolution does not amend statutes but updates House rules and organization for the new Congress. It replaces prior committee leadership from the previous session (118th Congress), reflecting shifts in party control or member priorities. For example, it assigns new chairs based on the majority party's selections, which appear to align with Republican leadership given the named individuals.

Potential Impacts

On Government Agencies: Committees oversee federal agencies (e.g., the Armed Services Committee influences the Department of Defense), so these chair assignments could shape investigations, budget approvals, and policy directions, potentially leading to more focused scrutiny or support in areas like national security or fiscal policy.
On Citizens: Indirect effects through legislation; for instance, the Ways and Means chair could impact tax policies affecting everyday finances, while the Education and Workforce chair might influence labor laws or school funding.
On International Relations: Minimal direct impact, but committees like Foreign Affairs and Armed Services could alter U.S. diplomatic or military strategies via hearings and bills.

Main Stakeholders Affected

Members of Congress: The named chairs gain authority to set agendas, call hearings, and lead votes; other committee members may be influenced by these leaders.
House Leadership and Staff: Affects coordination between committees and party leaders, including resource allocation for committee operations.
Federal Agencies and Interest Groups: Agencies under committee jurisdiction (e.g., environmental groups for Natural Resources) and lobbyists will engage with these new chairs.
The Public: Broader legislative outcomes on issues like healthcare (Energy and Commerce) or immigration (Judiciary) could shift based on committee priorities.

Notable Legal, Constitutional, or Political Implications

Legal/Constitutional: Aligns with Article I of the U.S. Constitution, which grants the House power to determine its rules and committee structure. This resolution is a procedural step to organize the legislative branch efficiently.
Political: Reflects the majority party's (Republican) control of the House, influencing the partisan tone of oversight and bill advancement. It could lead to debates over committee assignments if challenged, but such resolutions are typically routine and non-controversial at session's start. No major legal challenges are anticipated, as this is internal House governance.

This summary was generated by AI and may contain inaccuracies. Refer to the official source document for the authoritative text.

Sponsor

Rep. McClain, Lisa C. [R-MI-9]

Recent Actions

2025-01-06: Motion to reconsider laid on the table Agreed to without objection.
2025-01-06: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H48)
2025-01-06: Passed/agreed to in House: On agreeing to the resolution Agreed to without objection. (text: CR H48)
2025-01-06: Considered as privileged matter. (consideration: CR H48)
2025-01-06: Submitted in House
2025-01-06: Submitted in House

Bill Versions

H. RES. 13 (EH) - Engrossed in House — issued 2025-01-06 — PDF (2 pages)