WASHINGTON — Rep. Brett Guthrie, R-Ky., of Bowling Green has launched a campaign to become the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee.

What You Need To Know

  • Rep. Brett Guthrie of Bowling Green has launched a campaign to become the next chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee

  • The Republican currently serves as chair of its subcommittee on health 

  • The office of Rep. Andy Barr of Lexington confirmed he is running to be the next chair of the House Financial Services Committee  

  • Rep. James Comer serves as chair of the House Oversight Committee on Oversight and Accountability 

The current chairwoman, Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., announced her retirement earlier this month.

“Energy and Commerce is one of the major committees here,” said Guthrie. “People say we’re part of the big three, the Ways and Means, Energy and Commerce and Appropriations … so being chairman of the committee, it means you’re a major figure in D.C., but I only wanted to do that because I want to get big things done.”

Energy and Commerce is the oldest standing legislative committee in the House and handles issues like energy policy, health care, consumer protection, foreign commerce and more.

Guthrie, who entered Congress in 2009, currently leads its subcommittee on health.

“As we get a handle on this budget deficit, which we absolutely have to do … I have experience there,” Guthrie said. “I’m from an energy-producing state. I understand … energy and commerce. And the other we have is telecom, is a big part of our committee, all of it and how do we deal with AI? How do we deal with privacy coming forward?”

Rep. Bob Latta of Ohio, who will be the most senior Republican on the Energy and Commerce Committee in the next Congress, is also running to be the next chair, according to a source close to the congressman.

A Republican would chair the committee in the next Congress, only if the party can maintain the majority in the next election.

Kentucky’s lone Democrat in Congress, Rep. Morgan McGarvey of Louisville, would support Guthrie if the GOP keeps control, he said.   

“Having him be the chair of the Energy and Commerce Committee would be a great thing for Kentucky, so obviously I’d like for the Democrats to be in the majority, but if the Republicans are going to be in the majority, I can’t think of anybody better than Brett Guthrie,” McGarvey said.

Late last week, the office of Rep. Andy Barr, R-Ky., of Lexington confirmed he is running for chair of the House Financial Services Committee.

If Republicans keep control of the House in November and Guthrie and Barr succeed in their bids, three Kentuckians would oversee powerful House committees—a remarkable accomplishment for the state’s not-so-large delegation.

Rep. James Comer, R-Ky., of Tompkinsville currently leads the House Committee on Oversight and Accountability. 

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