Republicans add 13 members to Financial Services, Ways and Means committees

The House Financial Services and House Ways and Means committees are set to add 13 new Republicans, the chairmen of the panels announced late Wednesday and early Thursday.

Those members were recommended to their new posts by the Republican Steering Committee, a panel of GOP leadership, chairmen and members selected by seniority and region. The full House Republican conference is almost certain to approve those recommendations Friday morning.

The new assignments include a prestigious Ways and Means Committee slot for Rep. David Schweikert (Ariz.), a member of the far-right Freedom Caucus who frequently clashed with former Speaker John Boehner. The move reflects Speaker Paul Ryan’s overtures to the group.

{mosads}The Financial Services Committee will add 10 new Republicans: Reps. Lee Zeldin (N.Y.), Dave Trott (Mich.), Barry Loudermilk (Ga.), Alex Mooney (W.Va.), Tom MacArthur (N.J.), Warren Davidson (Ohio), Ted Budd (N.C.), David Kustoff (Tenn.), Claudia Tenney (N.Y.) and Trey Hollingsworth (Ind.). They’ll replace Republicans who’ve left office or moved to other committees.

“I look forward to working alongside my colleagues to pass laws that promote a dynamic economy with more jobs, higher wages and greater economic freedom for all Americans,” said Chairman Jeb Hensarling (R-Texas) in a Thursday statement announcing the new members.  “Our committee will continue to develop bold, forward-looking plans that hold Washington and Wall Street accountable, end taxpayer-funded bailouts and protect consumer choice.

Along with Schweikert, the Ways and Means Committee will add two new Republicans: Reps. Jackie Walorski (Ind.) and Carlos Curbelo (Fla.), the panel announced Wednesday night.

Schweikert, a member of the conservative hardliner Freedom Caucus, was booted from the Financial Services Committee in 2012 by former Speaker John Boehner (R-Ohio) for bucking Republican leadership.

Boehner frequently sparred with the Freedom Caucus, which pushed him to resign in 2015.

Schweikert’s elevation to Ways and Means, one of the most powerful committees, shows House Speaker Paul Ryan’s outreach to the Freedom Caucus, which claimed they were marginalized and ignored under Boehner.

Rep. Ken Buck (R-Colo.), a fellow Freedom member, will also join the House Rules Committee, another powerful panel that controls how the House considers legislation.