February 11, 2021
Leadership of Key Congressional Committees Announced
As it begins a new session, the 117th Congress is in the process of making assignments to key congressional committees that oversee issues of importance to colleges and universities. Although not all of the key committees have announced a final list of members, the leadership of those committees appears to be set.
Education Committees
The House Committee on Education and Labor will continue to be led by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), who has completed the committee’s first markup of the year to provide $40 billion for higher education in the next stimulus and ensure that all private, nonprofit institutions are included. It is also expected that the committee will take on a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will continue to serve as the lead Republican on the committee.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will be led by Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), who has completed the committee’s first hearing and vote on the nomination of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. It is expected that the committee will also take on a comprehensive HEA reauthorization. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) is the lead Republican on the committee.
Tax Committees
While the House Ways and Means Committee, responsible for tax, health care, Social Security, welfare, and trade issues, has added several new Democratic and Republican members, Chairman Rich Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Minority Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) remain in their leadership roles.
In the Senate, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is Chairing the Committee on Finance and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) will be the Ranking Minority Member. Former Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is returning to the Judiciary Committee.
Budget and Appropriations Committees
The House Committee on Appropriations, which provides annual government funding, has new leadership with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). She will also maintain her position as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education. Rep. Kay Granger will remain the Ranking Member of the full committee, and Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) will remain the Ranking Member on the education subcommittee.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations will be chaired by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) serving as the Ranking Member. Leadership for the Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education has not been finalized, but according to seniority, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) would take the chair and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) would be the Ranking Member.
The House Committee on the Budget will continue to be led by Chairman John Yarmuth (D-KY), with a new Ranking Member in Representative Jason Smith (R-MO). Membership on the committee is still being finalized.
The Senate Committee on the Budget has new leaders, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as the Chairman and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as the Ranking Member. The Budget Committee does not have subcommittees.
Veterans’ Affairs Committees
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be led by Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL).
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be led by Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS).
Education Committees
The House Committee on Education and Labor will continue to be led by Chairman Bobby Scott (D-VA), who has completed the committee’s first markup of the year to provide $40 billion for higher education in the next stimulus and ensure that all private, nonprofit institutions are included. It is also expected that the committee will take on a comprehensive reauthorization of the Higher Education Act (HEA). Congresswoman Virginia Foxx (R-NC) will continue to serve as the lead Republican on the committee.
The Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and Pensions will be led by Chairwoman Patty Murray (D-WA), who has completed the committee’s first hearing and vote on the nomination of Secretary of Education Miguel Cardona. It is expected that the committee will also take on a comprehensive HEA reauthorization. Senator Richard Burr (R-NC) is the lead Republican on the committee.
Tax Committees
While the House Ways and Means Committee, responsible for tax, health care, Social Security, welfare, and trade issues, has added several new Democratic and Republican members, Chairman Rich Neal (D-MA) and Ranking Minority Member Kevin Brady (R-TX) remain in their leadership roles.
In the Senate, Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) is Chairing the Committee on Finance and Senator Mike Crapo (R-ID) will be the Ranking Minority Member. Former Finance Chairman Chuck Grassley (R-IA) is returning to the Judiciary Committee.
Budget and Appropriations Committees
The House Committee on Appropriations, which provides annual government funding, has new leadership with Chairwoman Rosa DeLauro (D-CT). She will also maintain her position as Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education. Rep. Kay Granger will remain the Ranking Member of the full committee, and Representative Tom Cole (R-OK) will remain the Ranking Member on the education subcommittee.
The Senate Committee on Appropriations will be chaired by Sen. Patrick Leahy (D-VT) with Sen. Richard Shelby (R-AL) serving as the Ranking Member. Leadership for the Subcommittee on Labor-HHS-Education has not been finalized, but according to seniority, Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) would take the chair and Sen. Roy Blunt (R-MO) would be the Ranking Member.
The House Committee on the Budget will continue to be led by Chairman John Yarmuth (D-KY), with a new Ranking Member in Representative Jason Smith (R-MO). Membership on the committee is still being finalized.
The Senate Committee on the Budget has new leaders, with Sen. Bernie Sanders (I-VT) as the Chairman and Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-SC) as the Ranking Member. The Budget Committee does not have subcommittees.
Veterans’ Affairs Committees
The House Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be led by Chairman Mark Takano (D-CA) and Ranking Member Mike Bost (R-IL).
The Senate Committee on Veterans’ Affairs will be led by Chairman Jon Tester (D-MT) and Ranking Member Jerry Moran (R-KS).