With most of the results from the 2020 Election now in, MeriTalk is taking a look at Fed IT leadership changes in both the House and Senate. While the majority of top leaders won their elections handily, a handful either lost or chose not to run for reelection, and for two leaders the race remains too close to call.
Important to note, Congress redoes committee assignments at the start of each term. While some longstanding leadership positions will likely remain, there may be some shifts when the new Congress meets in January.
Additionally, Democrats maintained their majority in the House – though Republicans did add a few seats to their tally. Currently, control of the Senate is up in the air. The Senate race in Alaska has yet to be called and both Georgia seats will go to a runoff on Jan. 5. Democrats need to net two seats to win control of the Senate, with Vice President-elect Kamala Harris serving as a tie-breaker.
House Committee on Oversight and Reform
- Chairwoman Carolyn Maloney, D-N.Y. kept the seat under Democratic control.
- Ranking Member James Comer, R-Ky., won reelection.
House Committee on Oversight and Reform Subcommittee on Government Operations
- Chairman Gerry Connolly, D-Va., who has played a major role in Fed IT policy and oversight, won reelection.
- Ranking Member Jody Hice, R-Ga., kept control of his seat.
House Committee on Veterans Affairs
- Chairman Mark Takano, D-Calif., won his reelection.
- Ranking Member Phil Roe, R-Tenn., did not run for another term. Republican Diana Harshbarger will replace Roe.
House Committee on Veterans Affairs Subcommittee on Technology Modernization
- Chairwoman Susie Lee, D-Nev., kept control of her seat.
- Ranking Member Jim Banks, R-Ind., won his reelection.
House Committee on Homeland Security
- Chairman Bennie Thompson, D-Miss., won reelection.
- Mike Rogers, R-Ala., kept control of his seat.
Committee on Homeland Security Subcommittee on Cybersecurity, Infrastructure Protection, and Innovation
- Chairwoman Lauren Underwood, D-Ill., is currently leading in the vote count, but the election has not been called.
- Ranking Member John Katko, R-N.Y., is also currently leading in the vote count, but the election has not been called.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce
- Chairman Frank Pallone, D-N.J., kept control of his seat.
- Ranking Member Greg Walden, R-Ore., did not run for reelection. He will be replaced by Republican Cliff Bentz.
House Committee on Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Communications and Technology
- Chairman Mike Doyle, D-Pa., won reelection.
- Ranking Member Bob Latta, R-Ohio, kept the seat under Republican control.
House Armed Services Committee
- Chairman Adam Smith, D-Wash., won his reelection.
- Ranking Member Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, didn’t run for reelection. He will be replaced by Republican Ronny Jackson.
House Armed Services Committee Subcommittee on Intelligence and Emerging Threats and Capabilities
- Chairman James Langevin, D-R.I., kept control of his seat.
- Ranking Member Elise Stefanik, R-N.Y., won reelection.
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology
- Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson, D-Texas, kept control of her seat.
- Ranking Member Frank Lucas, R-Okla., won reelection.
House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology Subcommittee on Research and Technology
- Chairwoman Haley Stevens, D-Mich., kept the seat under Democratic control.
- Ranking Member Jim Baird, R-Ind., won reelection.
House Select Committee on Modernization of Congress
- Chairman Derek Kilmer, D-Wash., won his reelection.
- Ranking Member Tom Graves, R-Ga., resigned in October. He will be replaced by Republican Marjorie Greene.
Senate Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs
- Ranking Member Gary Peters, D-Mich., won reelection
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations
- Chairman James Risch, R-Idaho, kept control of his seat.
Senate Committee on Foreign Relations Subcommittee on East Asia, The Pacific, and International Cybersecurity Policy
- Chairman Cory Gardner, R-Colo., lost his seat to Democrat John Hickenlooper.
- Ranking Member Ed Markey, D-Mass., won reelection.
