As the Pennsylvania House remains in limbo over a special session rules fight, the House Republican leadership team has selected its committee chairs for the 2023-24 session.

Typically, committee chair position are based on caucus seniority, as well as the individual areas of expertise, interest of background of the members.

The Speaker of the House usually makes the appointments of the chair and vice-chair of the committee, while the Minority Leader does the same for its delegation.

“This process should have been completed on day one; however, Speaker (Mark) Rozzi and his Democrat enablers refuse to complete even the most basic tasks expected of us by the taxpayers who elected us,” Republican Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster) said. “This group of experienced policymakers represent varied regions of our Commonwealth and bring with them an unmatched wealth of experiences to help drive our committees forward, and positively impact Pennsylvania’s future.”

The following members will serve as Republican committee chairs for the 2023-24 session.

• Rep. Steve Mentzer (R-Lancaster) – Aging and Older Adult Services.
• Rep. Dan Moul (R-Adams) – Agriculture and Rural Affairs.
• Rep. Seth Grove (R-York) – Appropriations.
• Rep. Lynda Schlegel Culver (R-Northumberland/Montour) – Children and Youth.
• Rep. Joe Emrick (R-Northampton) – Commerce.
• Rep. Jim Marshall (R-Beaver) – Consumer Affairs.
• Rep. Jesse Topper (R-Bedford/Fulton) – Education.
• Rep. Martin Causer (R-Cameron/McKean/Potter) – Environmental Resources and Energy.
• Rep. Kate Klunk (R-York) – Ethics.
• Rep. Keith Greiner (R-Lancaster) – Finance.
• Rep. David Maloney (R-Berks) – Game and Fisheries.
• Rep. Russ Diamond (R-Lebanon) – Gaming Oversight.
• Rep. Kathy Rapp (R-Warren/Crawford/Forest) – Health.
• Rep. Doyle Heffley (R-Carbon) – Human Services.
• Rep. Tina Pickett (R-Bradford/Wyoming) – Insurance.
• Rep. Rob Kauffman (R-Franklin) – Judiciary.
• Rep. Ryan Mackenzie (R-Lehigh) – Labor and Industry.
• Rep. Mindy Fee (R-Lancaster) – Liquor Control.
• Rep. R. Lee James (R-Venango/Crawford) – Local Government.
• Rep. Aaron Kaufer (R-Luzerne) – Government Oversight.
• Rep. Carl Walker Metzger (R-Somerset) – Professional Licensure.
• Rep. Brad Roae (R-Crawford/Erie) – State Government.
• Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Armstrong/Clarion) – Tourism and Recreational Development.
• Rep. Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin) – Transportation.
• Rep. Rich Irvin (R-Franklin/Huntingdon) – Urban Affairs.
• Rep. Mark Gillen (R-Berks) – Veterans Affairs and Emergency Preparedness.

Standing committees for this session must be finalized within the House operating rules that remain in limbo due to the current gridlock. The GOP hopes that by announcing preliminary chairs now, the Caucus can work proactively on issues, preparing legislation and organizing committee responsibilities.

“Since House Republicans believe continued delay of our chamber’s organization is a detriment to our legislative function, these chairs will immediately begin working with staff, stakeholders, and the Shapiro administration to explore paths to move Pennsylvania forward so we can hit the ground running once Democrats want to join us in returning to work,” Cutler concluded.