Five things to know about Oklahoma's clout in the US House

With the new Republican majority in the House, Oklahoma’s all-GOP delegation has influence well beyond its relatively small number. Two of the five lead standing committees, possibly a first for the state, and two serve on the powerful Appropriations Committee, the first time in over 30 years two Oklahomans have served simultaneously on that panel.

“From a delegation standpoint, we’re in surprisingly good shape,” said Rep. Tom Cole, R-Moore.

Tom Cole heads House Rules Committee

Cole, who has been a key figure in Oklahoma politics since the 1980s, is starting his 11th term in the House as chairman of the Rules Committee, the last stop for most bills before they are considered by the full House. As chairman, Cole will have huge influence over how many amendments can be offered to bills and what those amendments will be.

Cole was named chairman of the panel by House Speaker Kevin McCarthy, of California. Cole has served as the top Republican on the committee for the last two terms and as a member before that.

“As chair of the House Rules Committee, Tom Cole is boldly leading the shift from the centralized power of the past and returning to regular order that empowers the American public," McCarthy said.

Cole also will be a senior member of the Appropriations Committee, which he may someday lead. That committee writes the spending bills that fund the federal government. Cole has been particularly influential on spending for defense, medical research, higher education and Native American needs.

Cole has been tapped to lead the subcommittee that oversees transportation, housing and urban development. The assignment could enhance opportunities to secure money for specific Oklahoma projects.

Texas Republican Rep. Kay Granger, the chair of the Appropriations Committee, said, "I look forward to his continued success on this important subcommittee and know he will handle it well by putting the priorities of the American people first, just as he did on the subcommittee on Labor, Health and Human Services, Education, and Related Agencies.”

More:New Congress will give Oklahoma more muscle

Frank Lucas a chairman for Science, Space and Technology

Rep. Frank Lucas, R-Cheyenne, is the dean of Oklahoma’s congressional delegation, having served in the House since spring 1994. He is, like Cole, known for being able to forge agreements between Republicans and Democrats. In 2011, Lucas became chairman of the House Agriculture Committee and later crafted a multi-year farm bill that required tough negotiations among various factions.

In the new Congress, he will be chairman of the Science, Space and Technology Committee. In the last Congress, he was the top Republican on the committee and worked with Democratic Chair Eddie Bernice Johnson on sweeping legislation to boost microchip production in the United States and improve science and technology education.

"As chairman, I’m looking forward to getting right to work on forward-looking issues, including securing our supply chain for advanced technologies, renewing our leadership in space and aeronautics, researching ways to make American energy cleaner and more affordable, and combating the threats we face from the Chinese Communist Party," Lucas said.

When Lucas took over the Agriculture Committee, it was the first time since the 1970s that an Oklahoman was chairman of a standing committee. Former Rep. Dave McCurdy led the Intelligence Committee, but that is a select committee.

Two Oklahomans leading House panels simultaneously may be a first, Cole said.

Lucas is also a senior member on the House Financial Services Committee, which oversees the banking and insurance industries.

And, after a temporary leave, Lucas has returned to the House Agriculture Committee, which is set to begin working on a new farm bill, which directs policy on everything from grain and dairy programs to food stamps.

“At a time when strengthening safety nets and accounting for higher input costs are a necessity, it’s the responsibility of the Committee to work across the aisle to craft a comprehensive 2023 Farm Bill, ensuring America’s farmers, ranchers, and families have the tools and resources they need to grow the food and fiber and thrive in a 21st century America," Lucas said.

Stephanie Bice lands spot on Appropriations, leaves Armed Services

Rep. Stephanie Bice, R-Oklahoma City, has landed a seat on the House Appropriations Committee in her second term. It is the first time the panel has had two Oklahomans since 1990, when former Reps. Mickey Edwards, a Republican, and Wes Watkins, a Democrat, served at the same time.

“This committee controls the power of the purse and will allow me to have oversight over how American taxpayer dollars are spent,” Bice said. “Furthermore, serving on this committee allows me to ensure the needs of Oklahoma’s Fifth Congressional District are met.”

It is likely the toughest committee to get on, and Bice had to give up her seat on Armed Services.

Unless Oklahoma's freshman is assigned to the committee, this would be the first time since the 2011-12 Congress that Oklahoma did not have a member on the House Armed Services Committee. Before that short gap, the state had a member continuously for three decades, sometimes two simultaneously.

Oklahoma has five major military installations, including Tinker Air Force Base in Oklahoma County.

Bice’s switch comes on top of the retirement of Sen. Jim Inhofe, who helped shape national defense policy and build up Oklahoma bases as the chairman and the top Republican on the Senate Armed Services Committee.

“We can’t replace Inhofe overnight,” Cole said.

However, Cole noted that he will continue to play a role in defense spending as a member of the Appropriations Committee. Also, he said, one of Oklahoma’s senators may wind up on the Senate Armed Services Committee. The Senate assignments haven't been named, but new Sen. Markwayne Mullin has said he wants to serve on that panel.

“We will remain very strong on defense,” Cole said.

Bice will also serve on the House Administration Committee, whose jurisdiction includes operation of the House and U.S. Capitol Security, along with federal election laws.

More:Stephanie Bice wins new term, Josh Brecheen takes open seat

Kevin Hern has leadership role after his nomination for speaker

Rep. Kevin Hern, R-Tulsa, will continue on the prestigious Ways and Means Committee, which has jurisdiction over tax policy and entitlement programs, like Social Security. Hern was the first Oklahoman to get a spot on the panel in almost 20 years.

In his third term, Hern also will serve as the head of the Republican Study Committee, the long-standing organization of House conservatives who traditionally craft a balanced budget option and push for lower spending.

More:Kevin McCarthy secures speaker post after Brecheen and other Republicans gain concessions

Josh Brecheen gets two committees

Rep. Josh Brecheen, R-Coalgate, a freshman, has been assigned to the House Committee on Homeland Security and the House Budget Committee.

“It is an honor to serve on both the House Committee on Homeland Security and the Budget Committee,” Brecheen said. “Right now, our nation is suffering from two major crises: our national debt and an invasion on the Southern Border. The Budget Committee will oversee matters related to spending, while the Homeland Security Committee will have authority over the border."

Brecheen, a former aide to the late U.S. Sen. Tom Coburn, was among the Republicans who withheld support for California Republican Kevin McCarthy for House speaker. Brecheen was seeking assurances that Republicans would address spending cuts and that rank-and-file members would have more input on bills.

NOTE: This story has been updated with additional assignments

This article originally appeared on Oklahoman: 5 things to know about Oklahoma's clout in Congress