Johnson to temporarily lead Ways and Means

Rep. Sam Johnson will temporarily take the helm the House Ways and Means Committee until a replacement is chosen.

The Texas lawmaker, the senior Republican on the panel, was named to the top slot on Thursday after newly elected Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) resigned as chairman of the powerful tax-writing committee.

{mosads}”I am honored to serve the Ways and Means Committee during this time of transition,” Johnson said in a statement. “Under Chairman Ryan’s leadership we have enjoyed great successes and I will continue to focus our efforts on critical issues moving forward.”

The Republican Steering Committee is expected to meet soon to determine the next chairman of the committee.

No vote has been set to name a full-time leader of the panel.  

So far, Reps. Kevin Brady of Texas and Pat Tiberi of Ohio are running to replace Ryan. 

Rep. Devin Nunes (R-Calif.) has said that he would make a decision after the new Speaker was chosen. 

Once a new chairman is selected, Johnson will resume his duties as chairman of the panel’s Subcommittee on Social Security.