representative. Chip RoyThe Texas Republican is pitching himself as a contender to be the next chairman of the House Rules Committee, an influential committee that serves as the final gatekeeper for most bills before they get a House-wide vote.
“I'll defer to the speaker on that,” Roy said when asked about chairing Steve Bannon's “War Room” show this week. “Obviously I put my name out there.”
That would be a stunning rise for a lawmaker who has been an outspoken critic of House leadership on some issues, especially on government spending.
But more recently, the GOP insurgent — and the current policy chief of the ultra-conservative House Freedom Caucus — has gained a reputation as a conduit between GOP leaders and lawmakers who are commonly known for bucking their directives.
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Rep. Chip Roy could be vying for chairman of the House Rules Committee ((Photo by Kevin Deitch/Getty Images))
Roy secured a seat on the House Rules Committee as part of an agreement with former House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, R-Calif., in January 2023 to expand conservative representation — part of a broader compromise for McCarthy to win the short-lived House Speakership. .
The Texas Republican was not one of the eight Republicans who later rose They voted to oust McCarthy Despite his early criticism – he was even publicly skeptical of his colleagues' decision to do so.
The House Rules Committee is the last stop for bills before a chamber-wide vote. The committee and its chair are responsible for setting the terms of discussion on the bill and what amendments, if any, will also be voted on.
After the bill is passed by the House Rules Committee, it is then subject to a chamber-wide “rules vote” to allow discussion of the legislation before a vote on its final passage.
During his two years on the committee, Roy voted against several House rules, which could jeopardize his hopes for the role.
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This decision is up to House Speaker Mike Johnson (Tom Williams/CQ-Roll Call, Inc via Getty Images)
However, he has received support from many of his colleagues, with Rep. Ralph Norman, R-C, telling Fox News Digital on Thursday: “It would be great. I support him 100%.”
Rep. John Carter, R-Texas, wrote on X that Roy “will build the conservative coalition in the House needed to support President Trump's priorities as Chairman of the Rules Committee.”
But unlike other committees, whose chairs are chosen by a wide range of legislators, only the committee chooses its chairs. Speaker House He gets a say in the House Rules Committee.
“I think it's important to have a grassroots president, whoever that may be, who will support the leadership,” said one GOP lawmaker, who declined to be identified to speak freely about Roy's offer.
“The speaker is going to push his agenda one way or another, so whoever he appoints for that will be the deal. Because he can remove them and then replace them.”
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Current House Rules Committee Chairman Michael Burgess is scheduled to retire at the end of this year (Getty Images)
“He's one of the brightest people and knows the procedures, but most won't trust him in this role,” another GOP lawmaker said.
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Rumors are circulating that current House Education and Workforce Committee Chairwoman Virginia Foxx, R.N.C., is also vying for the role.
Current House Rules Committee Chairman Michael Burgess, Republican of Texas, is scheduled to retire at the end of this year.
