James selected for powerful committee
First freshman named in over a decade on House Energy and Commerce
U.S. Rep. John James is the first freshman member of congress to be named to the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee in over a decade due to his business and auto-industry pedigree.
James, 42, a Republican who represents the 10th Dis- trict, which covers a large swath of northern Macomb County, was selected by the House GOP Steering Committee to serve as the first freshman on the panel since Colorado Republican Cory Gardner was named in 2011. He fills the seat vacated by former congreeman Bill Johnson of Ohio, who retired in January.
James, who moved to Macomb from Oakland County after winning the seat, was elected in 2022 and began serving in January 2023.
The 51-member panel is the oldest standing legislative committee in the U.S. House of Representatives and has the broadest jurisdiction of any congressional authorizing committee.
“As someone who has both been to war and has run a successful automotive supply-chain company,
I am thrilled to continue my efforts to grow Michigan’s economy, bolster American energy production, and fight for hard-working Michiganders,” James said in a press release. “Michigan’s Tenth Congressional District is the arsenal of democracy and the No. 1 manufacturing district in America. Southeast Michigan is the epicenter of the American automotive, supply chain, research and development, and advanced manufacturing industries, and it is essential that we have representation on the Energy and Commerce Committee.”
James’ ownership of a supply-chain logistics company and service in the Army as a Ranger-qualified Apache helicopter pilot “puts him in a position to enact effective policy that will deliver real-world results for Southeast Michigan,” the release says.
James has pushed back on President Biden’s efforts to expand the use of electrical vehicles and got a amendment added to a bill to tell the federal government to identify a strategy to increase production of critical materials.
James’ spokesman, Noah Sadlier, called the appointment “monumental” not only for James but for the auto industry in Macomb County and the “whole metro-Detroit area.”
“It’s important for the UAW jobs to have someone representing them on a committee that addresses issues they face such as jobs moving to Mexico and China,” he said.
It will give him the ability to work on and introduce bills “that impact jobs in Michigan,” Sadlier said.
Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers added: “I congratulate Rep. James on becoming the newest member of the Energy and Commerce Committee—the best Committee on Capitol Hill. I welcome his experience and perspective as a veteran and businessman as we continue working to deliver solutions to improve the lives of the American people.”
The Michigan congressional delegation has “rich history” in the committee, Sadlier noted. The late iconic congressman John Dingell as well as Fred Upton have chaired the committee. U.S. reps Debbie Dingell, an Ann Arbor Democrat, and Tim Walberg, a Tipton Republican, currently serve on the panel.
James faces opposition for re-election from Democrat Carl Marlinga, a former Macomb County judge and county prosecutor. He bested Marlinga in 2022 by just under 1,600 votes out of more than 325,000 cast.
The 10th District is composed of all of the county south of Hall Road, Shelby Township, Utica, the southwest corner of Macomb Township and Rochester and Rochester Hills in Oakland County.