Womack wins initial support to become Budget chairman

Rep. Steve Womack (R-Ark.) has won support from the Republican Steering Committee to chair the House Budget Committee, Speaker Paul Ryan (R-Wis.) announced Tuesday evening.

If approved by the full GOP conference, Womack will replace budget Chairwoman Diane Black (R), who is stepping down from the post to focus on her 2018 bid for Tennessee governor.

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The Steering Committee, a powerful panel of leadership allies led by Ryan, also recommended that Rep. Darin LaHood (R-Ill.) replace retiring Rep. Pat Tiberi (R-Ohio) on the Ways and Means Committee, the influential tax-writing panel announced Tuesday.

And Rep. Jody Hice (R-Ga.) was endorsed by the Steering Committee to replace former Rep. Trent Franks (R-Ariz.) on the Armed Services Committee, a source told The Hill.

Womack, a leadership ally who was part of the 2010 class that took back the majority, was a favorite for the coveted gavel. Former Republican Study Committee Chairman Rob Woodall (R-Ga.) and Rep. Bill Johnson (R-Ohio) were also vying for the spot.

“I believe Steve Womack is the right man for the job of chairman of the Budget Committee,” Ryan said in a statement. “Steve’s experience in the House, commitment to fiscal conservatism, and relentless pursuit to safeguard taxpayer dollars make him extremely qualified to lead this important committee.”

The next Budget chairman is expected to play an integral role in shaping the GOP’s 2018 agenda.

Ryan has suggested Republicans could use the budget reconciliation process this year to pass welfare or entitlement reforms. To do that, however, Republicans will need to craft and pass identical budget resolutions in both the House and Senate — a feat many in the party see as difficult to achieve in a tough election year.

— Scott Wong contributed