Guthrie Selected as Energy and Commerce Chair
This week, the House Republican Steering Committee selected Rep. Brett Guthrie (R-Ky.) over Rep. Bob Latta (R-Ohio) as the next chair of the influential House Energy and Commerce Committee. This panel oversees environmental issues related to air, water, and waste, as well as energy supply and efficiency policy.
Orion Advocates has worked closely with Guthrie and his team since he took office in 2008. He is regarded as a pragmatic legislator, well-liked by his peers and government affairs professionals. The committee is expected to be active next year in considering Congressional Review Act resolutions to overturn rules and regulations from the Biden administration, particularly in environmental policy.
One rule of concern to the business community is the particulate matter (PM) 2.5 standard, which the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) tightened earlier this year. The National Ambient Air Quality Standard (NAAQS) for PM 2.5 was reduced from 12 parts per cubic meter to 9 micrograms per cubic meter (μg/m³), a level considered background for the pollutant. PM 2.5, produced by engine exhaust, construction activity, and vehicle traffic, is now bringing large areas of the country into nonattainment. This designation complicates efforts to obtain permits for facility expansion and business growth.
Agriculture, Infrastructure, and Natural Resources Committees See Competitive Races
In other committee news, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) ended his bid to chair the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee after the Steering Committee granted a waiver allowing current chair Rep. Sam Graves (R-Mo.) to serve another term despite term limits. The committee is key to trucking policy, including truck weight reform aimed at improving transportation efficiency and cost-effectiveness.
On the Democratic side, two moderate lawmakers on the House Agriculture Committee—Reps. Jim Costa (D-Calif.) and Angie Craig (D-Minn.)—are challenging current chair Rep. David Scott (D-Ga.) for the ranking member position next Congress.
Scott, 79, has faced concerns about his ability to lead negotiations on the upcoming Farm Bill reauthorization. Costa, representing Fresno, Calif., and a member of both the Blue Dog Caucus and New Democrat Coalition, was endorsed this week by the Congressional Hispanic Caucus, citing his “unmatched experience.” Craig, who represents a district south of Minneapolis, is also a member of the House New Democrat Coalition. The three are competing to guide the committee responsible for reauthorizing the Farm Bill next year after this year’s efforts failed due to partisan disagreements over spending priorities.
A one-year extension of current law is under negotiation and is expected to be attached to a year-end continuing resolution to fund the government into the first quarter of 2025.
The race for ranking member of the House Natural Resources Committee is also heating up. Current ranking member Rep. Raúl Grijalva (D-Ariz.) announced he would step down after Rep. Jared Huffman (D-Calif.) entered the race. Rep. Melanie Stansbury (D-N.M.) also announced her candidacy for the post. The committee oversees forestry and forest management, including timber harvesting on federal lands.
Decisions on these leadership races will be finalized on Dec. 16.
OSHA Updates PPE Standards for Construction Workers
On Dec. 11, the Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA) issued a final revision to the personal protective equipment (PPE) standard for the construction industry.
The new rule requires employers to provide properly fitting PPE to construction workers, aligning the standard with those already in place for general industry. OSHA acted in response to worker complaints that poorly fitting PPE, such as gloves and protective clothing, created workplace hazards, particularly when operating heavy machinery.
