House Energy and Commerce panel announces Republican subcommittee leadership changes

The chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee announced changes to Republican subcommittee chairs and vice chairs during a brief business meeting, naming new leaders for several subcommittees and noting that committee rules require formal adoption of the roster updates.

The chair said Representative Buddy Carter has stepped down as chair of the Health Subcommittee and announced that Representative Griffith will be the new Health Subcommittee chairman. Representative Palmer was named chairman of the Environment Subcommittee, Representative Joyce was named chairman of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, Representative Dunn was named vice chairman of the full committee, and Representative Harshberger was named vice chair of the Health Subcommittee. The chair said updated Republican subcommittee rosters were placed at members’ seats and that the changes were first announced July 2.

The announcement came after the chair called for a moment of silence for committee members’ families, mentioning Representative August Pfluger and Representative Buddy Carter’s family and referencing a 9-year-old, Janie Hunt. "So take a moment of silence," the chair said. The chair added, "Thank you everybody for your coming on such short notice to this brief meeting."

According to the chair, "we have to formally adopt these new positions" under committee rules; the transcript does not record a roll-call or other recorded vote adopting the roster changes. The chair also thanked Representative Carter "for his leadership over the past several months" and congratulated the members named to new roles.

The committee adjourned after the brief business; the chair said the changes leave the committee "well positioned to deliver on this agenda." The transcript does not show any further debate, amendments or a recorded vote on the roster changes.