Jodey Arrington of Texas won the gavel for the House Budget Committee on Monday, edging out two other GOP lawmakers to head the panel.
Arrington is set to replace House Ways and Means Chairman-elect Jason Smith (R-MO), who won a heated battle to lead the powerful tax-writing panel.
As chairman, Arrington will be tasked with helping craft the framework for congressional spending.
Arrington beat Reps. Buddy Carter (R-GA) and Lloyd Smucker (R-PA) for the role.
Arrington told reporters that finding a path forward on the debt is one of his top priorities.
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“When I think of the unsustainable debt trajectory, if we’re honest, is the greatest long-term threat to our just our economy but our security and our way of life,” he said. “I really think there are different scenarios, but there’s a potential for a sovereign debt crisis where people won’t let us borrow.”
Contested committee races had been slated to take place ahead of the House’s holiday recess but were pushed back until after Speaker Kevin McCarthy (R-CA) locked down the gavel.
