House Republicans approved a rule on Thursday proposed by Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) that means the “Dean of the House,” if Republican, must serve on the GOP steering committee, which selects committee leaders.
Young, who is the dean of the House or longest current serving lawmaker, proposed the rule to make sure he had a spot on the steering committee. He also said the amendment was meant to be “in fun.”
{mosads}“It was a self-serving amendment, but I have a lot of knowledge I think they can utilize,” Young, 85, told The Hill following the vote.
Rep. Bill Flores (R-Texas) said while the “nos” were louder than “yeses,” the conference opted to adopt the amendment.
Young has represented Alaska’s at-large congressional district since 1973 and received the ceremonial title given to the longest-serving title in January after former Rep. John Conyers (D-Mich.) resigned.