For the first time in two decades, no women will lead a House committee after House Republicans announced their roster of committee chairs for the 119th Congress on Thursday. The selection, made by the House Republican Steering Committee, will result in all 17 standing committees being led exclusively by white men when the new Congress convenes on January 3.
This marks the first absence of women heading House committees since the 109th Congress, which lasted from 2005 to 2006. Additionally, no people of color were chosen to chair any of the committees.
“From securing our southern border, to unleashing American energy, to fighting to lower Bidenflation, and making our communities safe again, our Committee Chairs are ready to get to work fulfilling the American people’s mandate and enacting President Trump’s America-First agenda,” House Majority Leader Steve Scalise said while announcing the list of chairs. He added, “House Republicans are heading into the 119th Congress prepared to address the issues most important to hardworking Americans and fight for meaningful legislative wins.”
Scalise emphasized his support for the committee leaders, stating, “I look forward to working with these strong leaders and their Committees to advance President Trump’s priorities and deliver the American people the government they voted for in November.”
In the outgoing 118th Congress, three Republican women held committee leadership positions. Texas Rep. Kay Granger chaired the Appropriations Committee, Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers led the Energy and Commerce Committee, and North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx chaired the Education and the Workforce Committee. However, Granger and McMorris Rodgers did not seek reelection in 2024, and while Foxx won an 11th term, she did not request a waiver to continue chairing her committee.
Foxx, 81, had previously been granted a waiver to lead the Education and the Workforce Committee during the 118th Congress, despite the House GOP’s six-year term limits for committee chairs. She had also served as chairwoman in the 115th Congress and ranking member during the 116th and 117th Congresses. With Foxx stepping down, Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg will take over as chair of the Education and the Workforce Committee.
House Speaker Mike Johnson addressed concerns about the lack of female leadership earlier this week, stating, “Chairmen of committees are very important positions, but we really do engage all the membership. We have extraordinary women serving in Congress and in the Republican Conference. In fact, we elected some really strong women in the upcoming freshmen class.” Johnson added, “We value those voices. And everybody has an equal say at the table. These are thoughtful elections. We have an embarrassment of riches, frankly.”
Among the notable appointments, Florida Rep. Brian Mast, a staunch ally of former President Donald Trump, will lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee. Other prominent figures retaining their leadership roles include Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan as chair of the Judiciary Committee, Kentucky Rep. James Comer as head of the Oversight Committee, and Missouri Rep. Jason Smith as chair of the influential Ways and Means Committee.
The absence of women in committee leadership drew sharp criticism from some within the Republican Party. Former Virginia Rep. Barbara Comstock, a Republican, expressed her dismay on social media, stating, “Very fitting in the MAGA Era – No Women Need Apply.”
The Republican Party enters the new year holding a political trifecta, controlling the House, Senate, and White House. However, the narrow majority in the House, with 220 Republicans to 215 Democrats, leaves little room for internal dissent. This slim margin is further complicated by the anticipated departure of two House Republicans for positions in the Trump administration and the resignation of Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz.
“After four years of suffering under the radical policies of the Biden-Harris Administration and a Democrat-controlled Senate, the American people made clear they are ready for a change,” Scalise said, underscoring the stakes of the GOP’s unified control. He added, “With Republicans taking control of the White House, Senate, and House, it is imperative we are in position to move President Trump’s agenda efficiently and thoughtfully so we can quickly restore our nation to greatness.”
This shift in leadership reflects the priorities of the GOP as it navigates its agenda under unified government control. While the absence of women and minority representation in committee leadership has sparked criticism, Republican leaders have emphasized their focus on addressing the policy issues they believe resonate most with their constituents. Whether these decisions will yield legislative success remains to be seen as the new Congress begins its work.