WASHINGTON — House Republicans on Friday adopted a new party rule that blocks powerful committee chairmen from seeking other office if they want to want to hold onto their posts.
The rule change means chairmen would not be distracted from their legislative duties or party responsibilities while running for the Senate, governor or president. It originated from frustration that several recent heads of a powerful appropriations subcommittee responsible for health and education were shirking their responsibilities while running for the Senate.
The rule written by Rep. Tom Cole, R-Okla., means, for instance, that Rep. Paul Ryan of Wisconsin would have to give up his gavel to chairmanship of the House Ways and Means Committee if he ran for president. Ryan currently values the top position at Ways and Means. He could seek a waiver from the rule, however.