Oregon Republican Rep. Greg Walden will be the new chairman of the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee after being chosen this week.
He will succeed Chairman Fred Upton (R-MI) in the 115th Congress.
“Like the Chicago Cubs, we are a team full of MVPs and Energy and Commerce will be in great hands with my friend Greg Walden holding the gavel,” said Rep. Upton. “As we look toward a new year, a new Congress, and a new administration, the Energy and Commerce Committee will be leading the way on health reform, keeping energy affordable, and putting folks back to work.”
Oklahoma Congressman Markwayne Mullin is a member of the full committee.
As for Walden, he said after his election that he and other committee chairs won’t make subcommittee chairmanship decisions until after the Steering Committee finalizes committee rosters in early January.
Greg Walden represents the people of Oregon’s Second Congressional District, which includes 20 counties in central, southern, and eastern Oregon. Walden, 59, is a lifelong Oregonian whose ancestors came to Oregon by wagon train in 1845. He graduated from the University of Oregon with a degree in journalism. He and his wife, Mylene, owned and operated small market radio stations in Oregon for 21 years.