Sen Mike Lee will chair Senate’s Energy and Natural Resources Committee

Utah Republican Sen. Mike Lee is among the list of lawmakers poised to take over the chairmanship of various committees after Republicans took back control of the U.S. Senate in the election earlier this month.
Lee, in a post on Tuesday, said, “Humbled and honored to take the gavel as the next Chairman of the Senate Energy and Natural Resources Committee.”
“Time to get to work and unleash American energy,” he said. This will mark Lee’s first time leading a committee since he was elected to the Senate in 2010.
The Natural Resources Committee’s top Republican, ranking member John Barrasso, R-Wyo., got a promotion last week and will serve as the Senate majority whip, leaving the door open for Lee.
The Utah senator will replace outgoing Sen. Joe Manchin, I-W.V., as the chair of the committee, which oversees matters related to energy and mineral resources.
Lee reportedly landed on Trump’s short list for U.S. attorney general but he told the Deseret News he was happy to stay in the Senate.
“I have the job I want,” Lee said. “And I look forward to working in the next Congress and with President Trump and his team to implement his agenda and the reform agenda that Republicans have offered and campaigned on, and it’s going to be an exciting time. We’ve got a lot of work to do.”
Former Florida Rep. Matt Gaetz received the nomination for the role of attorney general, although it’s unclear if he can be confirmed. Lee told the Deseret News Trump’s cabinet picks represent the ideas that Trump won on.
“Millions of Americans gave President Trump a mandate to govern, and I look forward to swiftly confirming his nominees so they can start working for the American people,” Lee said.