Far-right Arizona Republican Rep. Paul Gosar is back on the House Natural Resources Committee after Democrats kicked him last year for posting a video depicting violence against party members.
The House GOP Steering Committee has spent weeks doling out assignments and finalized Natural Resources on Tuesday afternoon. Rep. Blake Moore (R-Utah), who replaced Gosar last year, is joining Ways and Means (E&E Daily, March 25, 2022).
Gosar will also serve on the renamed Oversight and Accountability Committee. Led by Rep. James Comer (R-Ky.), that panel has promised vigorous scrutiny of the administration, the president and his family.
Other Republican lawmakers joining Natural Resources include Reps. Harriet Hageman of Wyoming, Russ Fulcher of Idaho, John Curtis of Utah, Wesley Hunt of Texas, Jen Kiggans of Virginia, Anna Luna of Florida, John Duarte of California and James Moylan of Guam.
Chair Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) said in a statement Tuesday that each member brings a “unique perspective, experience and passion.”
“A coach is only as good as his team, and I couldn’t be more excited about the team we’ve assembled here on our committee,” he said. “Each member is bringing a unique perspective, experience and passion to the dais, and together we’ll make a natural resources powerhouse.”
Westerman identified the Western drought, wildfires, government accountability, domestic energy and “the Biden border crisis” as key themes for the next two years.
GOP members returning to Natural Resources include Reps. Cliff Bentz of Oregon, Lauren Boebert of Colorado, Jerry Carl of Alabama, Amata Coleman Radewagen of American Samoa, Garret Graves of Louisiana, Doug LaMalfa of California, Doug Lamborn of Colorado, Tom McClintock of California, Matt Rosendale of Montana, Pete Stauber of Minnesota, Tom Tiffany of Wisconsin, Daniel Webster of Florida and Rob Wittman of Virginia, as well as Jenniffer González-Colón, the resident commissioner of Puerto Rico.
Curtis — who has stood apart from many GOP colleagues on climate change — received a waiver to serve on both Natural Resources and the Energy and Commerce committees.
Rep. Ryan Zinke (R-Mont.), the former Interior secretary, will not serve on Natural Resources. He pursued and landed a seat on Appropriations (E&E Daily, Jan. 12).
Also joining the Oversight Committee are Marjorie Taylor Green of Georgia, Byron Donalds of Florida and Scott Perry of Pennsylvania.
Perry and Donalds were key opponents to Speaker Kevin McCarthy’s (R-Calif.) leadership bid but eventually supported him. Green, who lost her committee assignments under the Democrats, has become one of McCarthy’s top allies.
Perry is one of Congress’ most prominent skeptics of mainstream climate science. Donalds has worked to become a force in nuclear energy.
The House GOP Steering Committee on Monday announced picks for the Agriculture and Transportation and Infrastructure committees (Greenwire, Jan. 17).
Reporter Emma Dumain contributed.
