House Foreign Affairs Chairman Michael McCaul (R-TX) will not seek a waiver to retain his chairmanship, opting to end his six-year tenure as the top Republican on the committee.
McCaul did not specify what he hopes his next leadership position will be, but he previously led the House Homeland Security Committee.
“I have deep appreciation for my conference’s rules, which allowed me to serve as chairman of both the Homeland Security Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee — two highlights of my career. Out of respect for those rules and a desire to see future leaders rise from our conference, I have decided not to pursue another term as chairman,” McCaul told the Washington Examiner in a statement.
The Texas lawmaker’s decision to step aside has opened up the chairmanship, with several committee members reportedly interested in succeeding him.
McCaul’s vice chairwoman, Rep. Ann Wagner (R-MO), former House Oversight and Reform Chairman Darrell Issa (R-CA), House Foreign Affairs subcommittee on Oversight Chairman Brian Mast (R-FL), and senior House Foreign Affairs member and former Armed Services subcommittee Chairman Joe Wilson (R-SC) are all vying for the gavel, according to Axios.
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“There is so much talent on my committee, and I look forward to passing the torch to a new chair who will continue to build on the committee’s rich legacy and work to project ‘peace through strength’ around the world,” McCaul added.
He has not weighed in on whom he believes should succeed him.