Roswell Congressman picked to lead conservative house group

Washington — Georgia Congressman Tom Price won one of the most prominent conservative posts on Capitol Hill Thursday as he was elected as chairman of the Republican Study Committee for the next Congress.

The Roswell lawmaker, who just won a third term, will lead a group of about 100 House members who have pushed hard for lower taxes and less government spending.

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Jason Getz/jgetz@ajc.com

Tom Price

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The Republican Study Committee (RSC) “has served as the positive, conservative guidepost in Congress,” Price said. With many in the GOP now asking what direction the party should take to recover from devastating election losses, Price offered his remedy:

“It is time to embrace our conservative, common-sense principles and communicate a positive vision for the future,” he said.

Fellow Georgia Republican Lynn Westmoreland, of Grantville, said the state delegation “is really excited” about Price’s new role.

“I would imagine, from knowing Tom, he’s going to be pretty aggressive” and “make sure the conservative values are put forth,” said Westmoreland, who is a member of the Republican Study Group.

Chairmen of the group, which is an independent organization and not part of the formal House leadership, serve for two years.

Price was selected over Rep. Marsha Blackburn of Tennessee.

Outgoing chairman of the Republican group, Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas, said in a statement that Price “is going to make one heck of a chairman.”

“He is the consummate workhorse, political strategist, and policymaker,” he said. Hensarling praised Price for taking a major part last summer when House Republicans occupied the House chamber during the Congressional recess to push for more off-shore drilling for oil and gas. Democrats later capitulated by allowing a federal ban on off-shore drilling to lapse.