Rep. Brett Guthrie Runs for Chair of House Energy and Commerce Committee

WASHINGTON, D.C. — A Race Begins

Kentucky Republican Rep. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green has announced a campaign to become the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee. Currently holding the position of chair of its subcommittee on health, Guthrie’s bid comes after the reigning chairwoman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., announced retirement plans earlier this month.

Importance of Chairmanship

Discussing the weight of the post, Guthrie underscored the committee’s preeminence out of all in the House. “Energy and Commerce is one of the major committees here,” Guthrie asserted. “[We are] part of the big three, the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce, and Appropriations…so being chairman of the committee, it means you’re a major figure in D.C., but I only wanted to do that because I want to get big things done.”

The Committee’s Role

As the oldest standing legislative committee in the House, the Energy and Commerce Committee handles pivotal issues such as energy policy, health care, consumer protection, foreign commerce, and more. The breadth and depth of issues