There’s a youth movement afoot in Congress these days, as three freshman Republicans will join the ranks of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee next year.
Republicans added a total of 10 lawmakers to the Energy and Commerce committee recently, a huge number of new faces due to a spate of retirements and members being elected to other offices. Adding to that was the steering committee’s selection of Tim Walberg (R-Mich.) to head the Education and the Workforce Committee on Thursday, opening up another spot on E&C.
The committee has long been a coveted slot for many lawmakers and it has been rare for first-term lawmakers to get the nod. That began to change this year, as Rep. John James (R-Mich.) won a seat as a freshman for the first time in 13 years.
The incoming freshmen — Gabe Evans of Colorado, Julie Fedorchak of North Dakota and Craig Goldman of Texas — have some previous energy and climate bona fides. Fedorchak and Goldman have extensive experience in the energy industry. Fedorchak has served in North Dakota’s Public Service Commission overseeing electric utilities and natural gas pipelines since 2012, while Goldman served as chair of the Energy Resources Committee in the Texas state House for close to three years.
