FRELINGHUYSEN MAY LEAVE TOP HOUSE ENERGY AND WATER APPROPS SLOT

Idaho’s Mike Simpson Among Leading Contenders For E&W Chairman Slot

Todd Jacobson
GHG Monitor
10/25/13

Leadership ranks are set to be reshuffled on the House Appropriations Committee following the Oct. 18 death of Defense Appropriations Subcommittee Chairman C.W. Bill Young (R-Fla.), with Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-N.J.) the most likely candidate to take over the coveted defense slot, according to Congressional aides. Frelinghuysen has been the chairman of the House Energy and Water Appropriations Subcommittee, but he has long expressed an interest in the Defense Appropriations slot. Rep. Frank Wolf (R-Va.), the chairman of the Commerce, Justice and Science Appropriations Subcommittee, has more seniority than Frelinghuysen, but he has not previously expressed an interest in the defense slot, aides said, and is not a member of the Defense Appropriations Subcommittee. House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) ultimately will make the decision, which also has to be approved by the Republican Steering Committee. The timing of any leadership change, though, remains uncertain.

If Frelinghuysen does leave the Energy and Water panel, that could open the door for Rep. Mike Simpson (R-Idaho). Simpson, a major backer of the Department of Energy who currently chairs the Interior and Environment Appropriations Subcommittee, is believed to be looking to make the switch to Energy and Water. Rep. Ken Calvert (R-Calif.) is also believed to be among the contenders for the top Energy and Water slot. Frelinghuysen took over the top Republican spot on the Energy and Water funding panel in early 2009 after the retirement of Rep. Dave Hobson (R-Ohio) and became the panel’s chairman in 2010 when Republicans claimed the House of Representatives.