Georgian new chair of GOP group

Washington —- Rep. Tom Price won one of the most prominent conservative posts on Capitol Hill Thursday as he was elected chairman of the Republican Study Committee.

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

Fellow Georgian and group member Rep. Lynn Westmoreland of Coweta County 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.

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

Outgoing chairman Rep. Jeb Hensarling of Texas praised Price for taking a major role last summer when House Republicans occupied the House chamber during a congressional recess to push for more offshore drilling for oil and gas. Democrats later capitulated by allowing a federal ban on offshore drilling to lapse.