Smucker draws challenger in quest to become House GOP budget chair
The race is on to be the U.S. House Budget Committee’s next GOP leader.
And right in the middle of it is Pennsylvania Rep. Lloyd Smucker (R-11).
Current chair Rep. Jodey Arrington (R-Texas) has opted not to seek reelection, leaving one of the chamber’s key legislative posts empty headed into 2027.
Smucker presently serves as the vice chair of the committee and would typically be considered the heir apparent. But Utah Republican Rep. Blake Moore has also been eyeing the gavel, turning the race into a contest.
The Budget Committee is responsible for developing the annual budget resolution which is a mechanism for setting forth aggregate levels of spending, revenue, the deficit or surplus, and public debt. Its purpose is to create enforceable parameters within which Congress can consider legislation dealing with spending and revenue.
Smucker played a prominent role in helping get the One Big Beautiful Bill across the finish line last year and hopes to parlay that experience and desire for fiscal discipline to the chairmanship.
“Our nation is on an unsustainable fiscal path, said Smucker in a statement. “With our national debt nearing $39 trillion and growing, it’s an issue we simply cannot afford to ignore. Getting our fiscal house in order is the only way to ensure America’s long-term economic prosperity.”
Last Friday, Arrington called for Congress to convene an Article V Convention as the nation’s debt hit $39 trillion after the failure of H.J. Res. 139, a balanced budget amendment.
“Fixing our fiscal trajectory will not happen overnight, but I remain committed to working with my colleagues to put our nation back on a responsible fiscal path,” added Smucker.”
The Lancaster/York County Republican wants to make the congressional budget progress “work as it should and is open to reforming the 1972 Budget Control Act, which outlines how the budget process is supposed to work.
Moore is the first-ever Utah Republican on the House Ways and Means Committee and pushes for policies to reverse the national debt crisis on the House Budget Committee. He chairs the committee’s Health Care Task Force which is charged with examining opportunities to modernize and personalize the health care system and support policies that fuel innovation and increase patient access to quality and affordable care. Smucker is also a member of the Task Force.
Along with Rep. Jeff Hurd (R-Colo.), Moore introduced legislation to reform the budget process and provide accountability to taxpayers. The Comprehensive Congressional Budget Act reforms the annual budget and appropriations process by requiring Congress to vote on the entire Congressional budget each year, rather than only on the 12 appropriations bills that cover one quarter of all federal spending.
Moore is facing a primary challenge from Utah House Rep. Karianne Lisonbee who officially announced her candidacy Tuesday in the 2nd Congressional District, setting up a primary fight between Utah’s only member of Congressional leadership and a prominent member of the Legislature.
Smucker sought the committee chair position in 2022, but Arrington won on a second secret ballot by leadership in the House Republican Steering Committee.
Philadelphia Democrat Rep. Brendan Boyle (D-02) also serves on the Budget Committee as the ranking member.
Steve Ulrich is the managing editor of PoliticsPA where this article originally appeared.
