After narrowly escaping ouster as speaker of the House on Friday, Rep. Mike Johnson faces a decision that could determine his relationship with the hard-line conservative faction of the GOP that nearly took his job away—namely, who to appoint as chairman of the House Rules Committee.
The House Committee on Rules is among the most important committees in any Congress, and it will be no different in the 119th session. As the last stop for a bill before it is considered on the floor, the committee largely determines what bills reach the floor, who can propose amendments to bills, and the time limits and procedures for debates.
Johnson, R-La., will soon have to appoint a chairman for the Rules Committee to replace the now-retired Rep. Michael Burgess, R-Texas. That will be one of his most important chess moves in the early days of the new Congress and new administration as…
