A Guide to Congressional Committee Leadership in the 115th Congress

January ushered in not only a New Year but a new Congress and more recently a new Administration. With those changes come new committee assignments as well. Committees are where the majority of the work is accomplished on legislation. Here is an update on the leadership of the committees whose work directly impacts the plastics industry:

In the House

Chairman Kevin Brady (R-TX) will remain at the helm of the House Ways and Means Committee. Taking over as ranking member is Representative Richard Neal (D-MA). This committee has jurisdiction over a wide range of issues, covering everything from tax reform to health care and international trade. All of these issues are on the table this Congress, and PLASTICS is working hard to ensure that our industry’s voice is heard throughout.

As far as specific, noteworthy subcommittees are concerned, Representative Peter Roskam (R-IL) will chair the subcommittee that handles tax policy and Representative David Reichert (R-WA) will chair the Subcommittee on Trade, both of which will be critical to the plastics industry this Congress. Joining as one of the new members on the committee is Representative Jackie Walorski (R-IN), a friend of the industry.

The House Energy and Commerce Committee continues to handle key issues for plastics. This is the committee that first considered reforms to the Toxic Substances Control Act (TSCA) in the last Congress and will continue to provide oversight on its implementation. The committee also plays a key role in health care policy and will be directly involved in any replacement of the Affordable Care Act. There was a change in the chairmanship, from Representative Fred Upton (R-MI) to Representative Greg Walden (R-OR), due to term-limit rules, but Representative Frank Pallone (D-NJ) will remain as ranking member. In addition to the changes in leadership, four new Republican members began work on the committee this session, including Representative Ryan Costello (R-PA) who toured a PLASTICS member’s facility last year.

The House Education and the Workforce Committee handles education, workforce development, labor and employment issues. Representative Virginia Foxx (R-NC) is the chairwoman and Representative Bobby Scott (D-VA) is the ranking minority member. Notable new members include Representative Tim Walberg (R-MI) as chair of the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor and Pensions and Representative Brett Guthrie (R-KY) as chair of the Subcommittee on Higher Education and Workforce Training.

Infrastructure policy was a key part of the new administration’s campaign, and it is anticipated that we will see a push for major legislation in this area. PLASTICS will work to ensure the voice of the plastics industry is considered on any policy proposals, which could originate in the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, chaired by Representative Bill Shuster (R-PA) with Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) serving as ranking member.

In the Senate

The Senate Finance Committee is the chaired by Senator Orrin Hatch (R-UT) with Senator Ron Wyden (D-OR) serving as the ranking minority member. This committee handles a wide variety of issues including healthcare, trade agreements and tax issues. Given the political climate surrounding trade agreements during the presidential campaign, the committee will play an important role as the new administration puts forward its plans. The committee will also work with the House Ways and Means Committee on the highly contentious issues of repealing and replacing the Affordable Care Act and tax reform. Senators Bill Cassidy (R-LA) and Claire McCaskill (D-MO) are the committee’s newest members.

The Senate Environment and Public Works Committee saw several changes as the 115th Congress took shape. Senator John Barrasso (R-WY) took over as chair and Senator Thomas Carper (D-DE) took over as ranking member. The previous chair, Senator Jim Inhofe (R-OK) remains on the committee in this Congress. Notable new members include Senator Kamala Harris (D-CA), who replaces the now retired Senator Barbara Boxer (D-CA), and Senator Joni Ernst (R-IA).  This committee will be involved in the oversight of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and implementation of the Lautenberg Chemical Safety Act, the legislative vehicle that updated TSCA for the first time in 40 years. In addition to these items, this committee will also consider any other environmental legislation and other issues that arise during the next Congress.

The Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions Committee is responsible for many issues vital to the plastics industry, including the Affordable Care Act, workforce development and federal labor and employment laws. Senator Lamar Alexander (R-TN) chairs this committee, with Senator Patty Murray (D-WA) serving as ranking member. One new member of the committee worth watching is Senator Todd Young (R-IN) who was formerly in the House and is from the plastics-heavy state of Indiana.  

The Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will handle infrastructure reforms that could be proposed this Congress. The committee is chaired by Senator John Thune (R-SD) and Senator Bill Nelson (D-FL) serves as the ranking minority member. Notable members of the committee include Senators Ron Johnson (R-WI) and Todd Young (R-IN), both of whom possess a familiarity with the plastics industry and represent states with a large plastics presence.

With single-party control over both the presidency and Congress, we expect to see a lot of committee activity this year as Republicans look to roll back as much as they can from the previous administration and leave their own mark on the American economy. PLASTICS staff will continue to reach out to the members and staffs of these vital committees, providing you with updates and insights into what issues will impact the industry and how you can make your voice heard on Capitol Hill.