Last week, the 119th Congress officially got underway. The House voted to keep Rep. Mike Johnson (R-LA) as Speaker of the House. This cleared the way for House members to officially be sworn-in and other business to be taken up. In addition to Speaker, Rep. Steve Scalise(R-LA) will continue as Majority Leader and Rep. Hakeem Jeffries (D-NY) will continue as Minority Leader. House Republicans will again be operating with a very narrow margin, 219-215. On the other side of the Capitol, Sen. John Thune (R-SD) officially became Majority Leader, while Sen. Chuck Schumer (D-NY) will continue as Minority Leader. Republicans have a little more wiggle room in the Senate, controlling the upper chamber 53-47. In addition to House and Senate leadership, we are getting a better idea of who will lead and serve on key committees, including several committees important to historic preservation. 

Rep. Jason Smith (R-MO) will continue to lead the House Ways and Means Committee with Rep. Richard Neal (D-MA) continuing as Ranking Member. Sen. Mike Crapo (R-ID) will lead the Senate Finance Committee with Sen. Ron Wyden (D-OR) serving as Ranking Member. The Ways and Means Committee and Senate Finance Committee oversee tax policy, including community development incentives like the Historic Tax Credit (HTC). This will be important as lawmakers are expected to pursue tax reform this year, creating a huge opportunity for advocates to continue to push for long overdue updates and enhancements to the HTC.

The House Appropriations Committee will be led by Rep. Tom Cole (R-OK) and Rep. Rose DeLauro (D-CT) will continue as Ranking Member. On the Senate side, Sen. Susan Collins (R-ME) will take over as Chair of the Senate Appropriations Committee, while Sen. Patty Murray (D-WA) will move to Vice Chair. This powerful committee allocates federal funds for government agencies and federal expenditures. This includes funding for programs important to historic preservation, like the Historic Preservation Fund.

Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-AR) will continue as Chairman of the House Natural Resources Committee and Rep. Jared Huffman (D-CA) will take over as the new Ranking Member. This committee considers legislation related to energy production, wildlife, public lands, Native Americans and National Parks. This largely includes legislation related to protection of historic resources. Potential legislation to reauthorize the Historic Preservation Fund, which lapsed in September, will need to go through this committee. On the Senate side, the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee will now be led by Sen. Mike Lee (R-UT) with Sen. Martin Heinrich (D-NM) taking over as Vice Chair.

Preservation Action will continue follow as committee assignments are determined. Engagement from preservation advocates will be critical in the months ahead. Lawmakers need to hear about the of impact of historic preservation policies and programs in your community. Preservation Action will continue to provide the resources you need to be a successful advocate.