Rep Joe Barton seeks to regain powerful House Commerce Committee chairmanship

Rep Joe Barton (R-TX) has been in Congress for nearly half his life. But at 66, the Ennis (TX) Republican is still not ready to simply sit back in his position as chairman emeritus of the House Commerce Committee. In fact, in a power play, the former chairman wants to make a comeback.

Rep Barton has put out the word that he wants to be the actual chairman of the powerful committee again, as he was from 2004 to 2006. He is going to make a run at it when the current chairman, Fred Upton (R-MI), ends his six-year, term-limited service at year’s end. The House GOP conference usually votes on chairmen and leaders immediately after the November elections. “I believe I could be chairman for two more terms,” said Rep Barton. “I’m certainly not the leading candidate, but I was chairman for one term and ranking member for two terms. Under the right set of circumstances, I’d have a very good opportunity to be chairman. I’d be an activist, can-do chairman.” After talking to some members, Rep Barton said, “I have been encouraged.”