Rep. Mike RogersMichael (Mike) Dennis RogersOvernight Defense: Mike Rogers slated to be top House Armed Services Republican | Defense bill hits another snag | Pentagon dinged for 0M loan to trucking company using COVID funds Mike Rogers set to serve as top House Armed Services Republican Former GOP congressman calls for Biden to receive presidential briefings MORE (Ala.) was elected Tuesday by the House GOP Steering Committee to serve as the top Republican on the powerful House Armed Services Committee for the 117th Congress.
Rogers, who currently serves as the ranking member on the House Committee on Homeland Security, managed to edge out Rep. Mike TurnerMichael Ray TurnerOvernight Defense: Mike Rogers slated to be top House Armed Services Republican | Defense bill hits another snag | Pentagon dinged for 0M loan to trucking company using COVID funds Mike Rogers set to serve as top House Armed Services Republican Democratic lawmakers lambast Trump over Esper firing as GOP remains mum MORE (R-Ohio), the ranking member of the House Strategic Forces subcommittee, and Rep. Rob WittmanRobert (Rob) Joseph WittmanTrade groups make lobbying push to be included in small business loan program Overnight Defense: 32 dead in ISIS-claimed attack in Kabul | Trump says Taliban could ‘possibly’ overrun Afghan government when US leaves | House poised for Iran war powers vote next week Republicans eye top spot on Natural Resources panel MORE (R-Va.) in the race.
The full House GOP conference is expected to ratify the Steering Committee’s decision in the coming days.
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The Alabama Republican is slated to succeed current ranking member Mac ThornberryWilliam (Mac) McClellan ThornberryOvernight Defense: Mike Rogers slated to be top House Armed Services Republican | Defense bill hits another snag | Pentagon dinged for 0M loan to trucking company using COVID funds Mike Rogers set to serve as top House Armed Services Republican Overnight Defense: Formal negotiations inch forward on defense bill with Confederate base name language | Senators look to block B UAE arms sales | Trump administration imposes Iran sanctions over human rights abuses MORE (R-Texas), who announced his retirement in September of last year.
The House Armed Services Committee is tasked with crafting the National Defense Authorization Act, and with the razor-thin majority held by Democrats, Republicans can expect to have more sway over crafting key policies as they move into the new Congress.
The committee has held onto a reputation for being strongly bipartisan even during times of a strong political divide. And with a number of political strategists projecting that Republicans have a strong chance of regaining control of the lower chamber in 2022, Rogers could soon hold the coveted gavel.
He represents an area with a large military constituency, with his district including portions of Fort Benning, the Maxwell-Gunter Air Force Base and the Anniston Army Depot.
Rep. Adam SmithDavid (Adam) Adam SmithTrump threatens to veto defense bill over tech liability shield Mike Rogers set to serve as top House Armed Services Republican Congress set for chaotic year-end sprint MORE (D-Wash.) currently serves as the chairman of the panel.
Unlike Democrats, under House GOP rules, ranking members and chairmen can serve three terms before they are term-limited out of their position.