House Republicans announced their list of committee leaders for the 119th Congress on Thursday, marking a historic moment where no women were chosen to lead. This marks the first time in over 20 years that the leadership of all 17 standing committees will be entirely in the hands of men.

In a significant shift, no women or people of color have been selected for House committee leadership, sparking criticism among some Republicans and former lawmakers, ABC News reported.

The 119th Congress will feature all white men at the helm of House committees, with no women or people of color among the 17 standing committee chairs. The last time women were absent from committee leadership was during the 109th Congress in 2005-2006. This change comes as House Republicans seek to advance their agenda, with control of both chambers and the White House following the 2024 elections.

House Majority Leader Steve Scalise led the announcement, emphasizing that the committee chairs are prepared to address key issues important to Americans. He described the Republican committee chairs as ready to work on key priorities such as securing the southern border, boosting American energy, and lowering inflation. Scalise framed the leadership picks as an opportunity to enact President Donald Trump’s America-First agenda.

Changes in Committee Leadership

Three women led House committees during the previous Congress. Texas Rep. Kay Granger headed the Appropriations Committee, Washington Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers led the Energy and Commerce Committee, and North Carolina Rep. Virginia Foxx chaired the Education and Workforce Committee. Granger and McMorris Rodgers chose not to seek re-election, while Foxx, who served beyond the usual six-year term limit, got re-elected but decided not to request an extension for the upcoming Congress..

As committee leadership changes hands, several Republican lawmakers are continuing their roles, while others move to new positions. Michigan Rep. Tim Walberg will take over as the new chairman of the Education and Workforce Committee. Other familiar faces will remain in leadership roles: Florida Rep. Brian Mast will lead the House Foreign Affairs Committee, Ohio Rep. Jim Jordan will continue at the Judiciary Committee’s helm, Kentucky Rep. James Comer will stay in charge of the Oversight Committee, and Missouri Rep. Jason Smith will lead the Ways and Means Committee.

Speaker Johnson Downplays Gender Gap Concerns

House Speaker Mike Johnson downplayed the significance of the gender gap in leadership, noting that while chairmanships are important, all members have a voice in the legislative process. He further stated that there are "extraordinary women" in Congress, including some entering the freshman class. Johnson reiterated that every lawmaker has an equal say and emphasized that the Republican Party has strong female voices.

The absence of women at the top of committees has sparked criticism from some Republicans, including former Rep. Barbara Comstock. Comstock, a former Virginia representative, voiced her dissatisfaction with the lack of women in leadership, calling it "very fitting in the MAGA Era." She pointed to the exclusion of women from top positions as symbolic of broader trends she views as concerning. Critics argue that the failure to select women for leadership roles reflects broader issues of gender and racial equality within the Republican Party.

Republicans Take Control of Government

The new committee leadership structure comes as Republicans take control of the House, Senate, and White House in 2025. With a slim majority of 220 Republicans to 215 Democrats in the House, the party is in a position to move swiftly on key priorities. Scalise expressed confidence that Republicans, in control of all three branches of government, could efficiently implement Trump’s policies and "restore the nation."

The selection of committee chairs signals where the Republican agenda will head in the upcoming Congress. Scalise noted that Republicans, with control of the legislative and executive branches, are poised to push through Trump’s America-First agenda. He pointed to issues such as securing the border, cutting taxes, and bolstering American energy production as priorities for the new Congress. Scalise also highlighted that the new leadership team is ready to fight for what they believe are the best interests of the American people.

Criticism of Excluding Women and People of Color

Critics of the leadership choices have argued that excluding women and people of color from committee leadership positions sends a negative message about the Republican Party's commitment to diversity and inclusion. Former lawmakers and observers have pointed out that the party's leadership structure risks alienating key demographics that could benefit from more diverse representation.

Moreover, Supporters of the new leadership selection believe the move reflects a commitment to conservative principles. Defenders of the new leadership structure argue that the selection process focused on ensuring the most qualified individuals filled key committee roles, regardless of gender or race. They emphasize that Republicans are committed to delivering on their promises to the American people and believe that their agenda will bring widespread improvements.

While Republicans have faced significant backlash over the lack of diversity in committee leadership, party leaders remain confident that they can deliver on their legislative priorities. The new Congress will begin its work in early 2025, and Republicans are eager to begin implementing their agenda, which they believe will restore the country’s strength and prosperity.

The Debate Over Diversity in Political Parties

The debate over committee leadership is a reminder of the ongoing discussions about diversity within political parties. As the Republican Party prepares for a new Congress under unified control of the executive and legislative branches, the question of diversity remains a point of contention. While leadership has been unapologetic about their choices, the response from both within and outside the party suggests that calls for more inclusive representation will continue to grow in the coming years. How the party addresses these concerns may play a critical role in shaping its future appeal to a broader electorate.

As the 119th Congress kicks off, Republicans will face not only the challenge of implementing their policies but also managing internal divisions about the representation of women and people of color in the halls of power.