This week, U.S. Rep. Cathy McMorris Rodgers, R-Wash., who leads Republicans on the U.S. House Energy and Commerce Committee, tapped U.S. Rep. Gus Bilirakis, R-Fla., to lead Republicans on the U.S. House Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee.

“The Energy and Commerce Committee has a rich history of solving the biggest challenges facing our country,” McMorris Rodgers said on Thursday, insisting that Bilirakis and other Republican subcommittee leaders “are all uniquely qualified to lead on our mission to renew, rebuild, and restore hope in the American Dream.

“Our goal is to maximize Energy and Commerce so House Republicans win the future and secure America’s global leadership to usher in a new era of innovation and entrepreneurship, cure diseases, and raise people’s standard of living,” she added. “As our nation works to beat the COVID-19 pandemic, a top priority for Energy and Commerce Republicans will be continued, robust oversight of the federal pandemic response and vaccine distribution. Our team is also ready to vigorously defend free speech, stop the lurch toward socialized healthcare, protect life, promote all-of-the-above energy solutions, and beat China in the emerging technologies race. There’s a lot of work to do. Every member–including our eight new members joining our team–bring invaluable expertise and knowledge to lead on policies so we get the job done.”

“It is an honor to serve as Republican leader on the Consumer Protection and Commerce Subcommittee,” Bilirakis noted on Thursday.

Bilirakis will also serve on the U.S. House Communications and Technology Subcommittee and the U.S. House Health Subcommittee.

U.S. Rep. Neal Dunn, R-Fla., who was named to the Energy and Commerce Committee earlier in the month, will serve with Bilirakis on the Consumer Protection and Commerce and the Health Subcommittees. Dunn will also serve on the U.S. House Oversight and Investigations Subcommittee.

Reach Kevin Derby at kevin.derby@floridadaily.com.