Texas Sustains Strong Presence on Key Congressional Panels

posted on 2.13.2023

- Includes Oversight Committees for Broadcasters

Texas has long been well represented in Congress’ most influential committees charged with oversight of major industries powering the Lone Star economy. That tradition continues in 2023, particularly when it comes to the panels most important to Texas broadcasters.

In the House, where 435 members jostle for position based on seniority, fundraising prowess and relationships with leadership, four committees stand out.

The Judiciary and Energy & Commerce committees share oversight over broadcasters’ primary interests, while the Appropriations and Ways & Means committees hold sway over spending and tax policy.

Texans hold 22 seats on these four committees combined, with some also serving on the subcommittees charged with specific oversight on broadcasters’ highest policy priorities.

These assignments are particularly helpful as TAB prepares to send a 25-member delegation of local broadcasters to DC later this month to advocate on protecting Radio stations from a Performance Tax and reining in Big Tech’s anticompetitive behavior in the advertising market.

Here’s how the assignments break down across the four panels:

Energy & Commerce

• Michael Burgess, R-Lewisville
• Dan Crenshaw, R-Houston
• Lizzie Fletcher, D-Houston
• August Pfluger, R-San Angelo
• Randy Weber, R-Lake Jackson
• Marc Veasey, D-Dallas

Judiciary

• Veronica Escobar, D-El Paso
• Sylvia Garcia, D-Houston
• Lance Gooden, R-Terrell
• Sheila Jackson Lee, D-Houston
• Troy Nehls, R-Richmond
• Wesley Hunt, R-Houston
• Nathaniel Moran, R-Tyler
• Chip Roy, R-Wimberley

Ways & Means

• Jodey Arrington, R-Lubbock
• Lloyd Doggett, D-Austin
• Beth Van Duyne, R-Irving

Appropriations

• Chair:  Kay Granger, R-Arlington
• John Carter, R-Round Rock
• Michael Cloud, R-Victoria
• Henry Cuellar, D-Laredo
• Jake Ellzey, R-Midlothian
• Tony Gonzales, R-San Antonio

Plum Roles for Cruz, Cornyn in Senate

TAB’s upcoming DC fly-in is tied to the NAB’s annual State Leadership Conference Feb. 28-March 2 where Texas Senator Ted Cruz will be keynoting.  

Cruz serves as the highest ranking Republican on the upper chamber’s Commerce, Science & Transportation committee and was key to advancing the Journalism Competition and Preservation Act from that panel last summer.

He joins Senator John Cornyn in serving on the upper chamber’s Judiciary committee which, in part, deals with copyright matters.

Questions? Contact TAB’s Oscar Rodriguez or call (512) 322-9944.

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