Energy and Commerce Committee GOP switch up slots

Republicans on Tuesday reshuffled their ranking member slots on two panels of the House Energy and Commerce Committee.

Rep. Ed Whitfield (R-Ky.) is now the top Republican on the Commerce, Trade and Consumer Protection Subcommittee. He replaces Rep. George Radanovich (R-Calif.).

Radanovich is not seeking reelection. He explained in a statement Wednesday that he is stepping down from the ranking member slot in order to focus on issues most vital to his Central Valley district.

Rep. Michael Burgess (R-Texas) will be the new ranking member of the Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee, replacing Rep. Greg Walden (R-Ore.).

Walden has taken a leave of absence from the committee following his ascension to House GOP leadership earlier this month.

“It says a great deal about the quality on our side the House Energy and Commerce Committee that we can lose a star like Greg Walden to an important role in the House Republican leadership and yet have people of such extraordinary ability and experience ready to step up,” said Rep. Joe Barton (R-Texas), the ranking member of the full committee, in a prepared statement.

The full committee approved the changes Tuesday in a resolution that also formally adds Democrat-turned-Republican Rep. Parker Griffith (Ala.) to the committee.