Barton Takes Over House Commerce

Rep. Joe Barton, R-Texas, is now the official chair of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, by unanimous consent of his peers.
Barton steps in to replace Rep. Billy Tauzin, R-La. who resigned his chairmanship.
In his first statement as committee chair, Barton said: “I am honored to follow in the footsteps of the only other Texan to serve in this post, the honorable Sam Rayburn. … This committee has a long, distinguished history, and I will work hard to be true to both where I come from and where the committee must go to accomplish its great work.”
He indicated he would say more about committee structure and the upcoming legislative agenda next week.