WASHINGTON — As House Financial Services Committee Chairman Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, gets ready to retire at the end of the term, Rep. Blaine Luetkemeyer, R-Mo., is lobbying to take his place.
Luetkemeyer, who currently chairs the panel’s financial institutions and consumer credit subcommittee, said Tuesday at an American Bankers Association conference that he is putting his name in the race to chair the committee.
“I am actively pursuing that position,” Luetkemeyer said. “I hope to be the next chair of the Financial Services Committee. It would be a great honor to do that.”
Luetkemeyer’s prospects are partially dependent on whether Republicans are able to maintain the majority in the House after the 2018 midterm elections. The race for control of the House remains a tossup, although a number of high-profile Republicans, including House Speaker Paul Ryan, have announced retirements in recent months, which could hinder the GOP's chances.
The Missouri lawmaker could be one of several senior Republicans on the committee vying for the gavel if the party keeps its majority.
Luetkemeyer added that if the committee’s vice chairman, Rep. Patrick McHenry, R-N.C., is interested in the position, he would “be more than happy to support him.”
McHenry, who also spoke at the ABA meeting, would not comment on his plans for next year. In addition to serving as the committee's No. 2, he is chief deputy whip for the caucus.
