North Texas U.S. representative named chair of House Rules Committee

U.S. Rep. Michael C. Burgess, M.D., a Republican who represents North Texas, has been named chairman of the House Rules Committee, which sets the terms for amendments and debate on bills.

Burgess will replace U.S. Rep. Tom Cole (R-Oklahoma), who became chair of the Appropriations Committee from Texas’ Kay Granger (R-Fort Worth), who is leaving office at the end of the year.

Burgess, a physician from Pilot Point, has served in the U.S. House since 2003 and is the senior member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee. He is also a member of the subcommittees on Health, Oversight and Investigations, and Energy.