WASHINGTON, Ala. — Congressman Bradley Byrne (R-AL1) has been appointed by U.S. House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH8) to the powerful House Rules Committee.
The Rules Committee is heavily weighted (9 majority members, and 4 minority members) in favor of the party in power, and ultimately decides which bills make it to the House floor, and under what rules. The committee also dictates what type of debate on a bill will be allowed, and when it will be considered. Those powers make a post on the Rules Committee a highly coveted commodity among House members.
Byrne’s rise is particularly significant for Alabama and could signal that he is poised to rise higher into the ranks of House leadership.
“I’ve made clear from the start that I am committed to using my position in Congress to advocate for issues that are important to families and small businesses in Southwest Alabama,” Rep. Byrne said in a press release following the announcement. “As a member of the House Rules Committee, I will be in an even better position to do just that. I look forward to working with Chairman Sessions and my colleagues to support a House agenda designed to reduce wasteful spending and create a smaller, more efficient federal government. I look forward to getting to work.”
In a statement Tuesday morning, Rules Committee Chairman Representative Pete Sessions (R-TX32) said he is “pleased” to welcome Rep. Byrne to the committee.
“An accomplished lawyer, local advocate and state senator, Congressman Byrne is deeply devoted to causes he believes in and is willing to work hard on issues in Washington that are important to his constituents in Alabama. His commitment to a small, conservative federal government and a strong national defense will be an asset to the Speaker’s Committee, and I look forward to working with him,” Rep. Sessions said.
Effective immediately, Rep. Byrne will now have the opportunity to weigh in on every piece of legislation that is considered by the House.
Byrne’s appointment underscores what Roll Call indexed in 2013, that Alabama’s delegation “punches above its weight” in Congress, with the 16th most powerful delegation in spite of being only the 23rd most populous state.
With its two Senators both sitting in powerful committee positions, two House members on the Appropriations Committee, the state’s lone Democratic representative being eyed as future leadership in her party, and now Rep. Byrne taking a spot on the Rules Committee, Alabama’s clout is sure to rise even higher.
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— Elizabeth BeShears (@LizEBeesh) January 21, 2015
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