Today, Speaker Pelosi announced that she is recommending Congressman Don Beyer (D-VA) to chair the U.S. Congress Joint Economic Committee (JEC). If confirmed, Congressman Beyer will become the first Democrat to chair the JEC since Senator Bob Casey (D-PA) chaired the committee during the 112th Congress (2011-2013).
In response to Speaker Pelosi’s announcement, Congressman Beyer issued the following statement:
“I am humbled and honored to have Speaker Pelosi’s confidence to lead the 75-year-old Joint Economic Committee, a committee that not only investigates important issues impacting our economy but also serves as an economic think tank for Congress.
“Congress’s stewardship of the U.S. economy is one of its most important responsibilities, especially now as the American people look to the federal government to help them recover and rebuild from the recession. I will approach this responsibility with the seriousness it deserves, guided by my belief that the federal government can and should be a force for good in helping to support American businesses and workers.
“As someone who built a small family-owned business over the course of four decades, I know what American businesses and workers are going through during this troubling time for the U.S. economy, and will use my position as chair to ensure we build our economy back better. Better days are ahead for the U.S. economy but only if we ensure it works for all—people of color, women, low-wage workers, essential workers, young people looking for their first job, families looking to buy their first home and others.
“To that end, as chair, I plan to return the committee’s focus to core issues facing the country, including economic inequality, climate change, corporate governance, health care and college affordability. I look forward to working with all of my colleagues on the Joint Economic Committee on these issues and others during the 117th Congress.”
Speaker Pelosi’s recommendation must be confirmed by a vote of the full committee to take effect. In addition to recommending Congressman Beyer to chair the JEC, Speaker Pelosi announced the House Democratic members of the committee:
- Representative Don Beyer (D-VA-08) - Chair-designate
- Representative David Trone (D-MD-06)
- Representative Joyce Beatty (D-OH-03)
- Representative Mark Pocan (D-WI-02)
- Representative Scott Peters (D-CA-52)
- Representative Sharice Davids (D-KS-03)
Senate Majority Leader Chuck Schumer announced the Senate Democratic members of the committee a few weeks ago:
- Senator Martin Heinrich (D-NM) – Vice Chair-designate
- Senator Amy Klobuchar (D-MN)
- Senator Maggie Hassan (D-NH)
- Senator Mark Kelly (D-AZ)
- Senator Raphael Warnock (D-GA)
Leadership of the JEC alternates between the Senate and House each Congress. During the 116th Congress, the committee was chaired by Senator Mike Lee (R-UT).
