Why Are There No Republican Women Chairing House Committees?

This should be a red flag

Photo by Cameron Smith on Unsplash

Let’s talk about something other than Trump today. I don’t know about you, but I find the constant outrage exhausting. I need a palate cleanser, so let’s talk about House Republicans instead.

I learned something new today. I have known for years that Democratic House committee chairs basically serve for life unless they are defeated in an election. Or the Republicans take over the House. Then they become what’s known as the “ranking member.”

This means that younger or newly-elected House Democrats must wait years, sometimes decades before they have an opportunity to chair a committee, gaining valuable experience and power.

Republicans, on the other hand, term-limit their committee chairs. Republican committee chairs may only serve three consecutive terms. Then they must be replaced by another Republican House member.

The new chairs are chosen by the House GOP Steering Committee consisting of 30 elected Republican leaders and regional representatives. They present their recommendations to the full GOP caucus to vote on.

You would think that this means that more Republicans have a chance to gain experience and power as committee chairs. But you would think wrongly.