McGovern Welcomes Democratic Members to the Rules Committee for the 118th Congress
WASHINGTON, D.C. — Rules Committee Ranking Member James P. McGovern (D-MA) today welcomed Rep. Mary Gay Scanlon (PA-05), Rep. Joe Neguse (CO-02), and Rep. Teresa Leger Fernández (NM-03) to the House Rules Committee for the 118th Congress:
“Serving on the House Rules Committee is an extraordinary opportunity to shape major legislation before it goes to the House Floor. Our incredible Democratic members will play a pivotal role over the next two years—fighting for lower costs, better-paying jobs, and safer communities for all our families,” said Ranking Member McGovern. “I want to congratulate our returning members, Representatives Scanlon and Neguse, and welcome Representative Leger Fernández to the committee. This is an amazing group of lawmakers whose unique backgrounds and powerful leadership will be invaluable in the days ahead. Together, we will find opportunities to work across the aisle when possible, fight for our shared values when necessary, and put people over politics to get stuff done on behalf of the American people.”
Congresswoman Mary Gay Scanlon represents Pennsylvania’s 5th District. Before serving in Congress, Congresswoman Scanlon practiced public interest law for nearly 35 years, representing families, children, immigrants and asylum seekers, veterans, and seniors. In Congress, she has been a vocal advocate for the rights of children, families, veterans, and older Americans—helping to pass historic legislation including H.R. 5, the Equality Act, in Congress.
Congressman Joe Neguse represents Colorado’s 2nd District. Now the Chair of the Democratic Policy and Communications Committee and the first African-American member of Congress in Colorado history, Neguse previously served as the Executive Director of Colorado's consumer protection agency. As one of the youngest people to serve as a state cabinet secretary, he achieved key victories, including the recovery of millions of dollars for consumers, investigations culminating in significant financial-fraud cases, the championing of legislation to combat financial fraud against seniors, and the launch of the state’s first online filing system for civil rights discrimination complaints.
Congresswoman Teresa Leger Fernández represents New Mexico’s 3rd District. A 17th-generation Northern New Mexican, she worked as an attorney and advocate and won important legal battles to advance voting rights, promote tribal sovereignty, and protect our environment and acequia waters. She secured money for and helped build schools, rural health clinics, broadband, businesses, affordable housing, and critical infrastructure across the region as a public interest lawyer, and previously served as a Clinton and Obama presidential appointee and worked as a White House Fellow on housing issues and as Vice Chair of the Advisory Council on Historic Preservation.
The Committee on Rules is among the oldest standing committees in the House, having been first formally constituted on April 2, 1789. An appointment to the committee gives Members significant ability to influence virtually all major legislation as it heads to the House Floor for a vote.
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