Rep. Andrew Garbarino from New York is poised to take over as the chair of the House Homeland Security Committee, having received support from the House GOP leadership panel on Monday evening.
Garbarino secured his position after winning a vote against three other candidates in the House Executive Committee, which comprises Republican leaders and elected community representatives. His nomination will be presented to the Full House GOP Conference, a step that typically paves the way for smooth approval from the steering committee.
This role became available following the exit of former Rep. Mark Greene from Tennessee, who had been leading the committee since 2023. Greene stepped down to pursue “opportunities in the private sector,” which was finalized on Monday after the passage of President Trump’s significant tax cuts and spending plan.
Other contenders for the position included Rep. Michael Guest from Mississippi, Carlos Guimenez from Florida, and Clay Higgins from Louisiana. Speaker Mike Johnson commented that the selection process had been quite competitive, noting that each candidate was “highly qualified.”
According to insiders, Garbarino, who is well-regarded among steering committee members, won the endorsement during a second vote after Guest dropped out in the first round.
The committee oversees the Department of Homeland Security, a critical area responsible for implementing Trump’s robust immigration policies, combating terrorism, and ensuring cybersecurity.
In an interview with Hill last week, Garbarino discussed the committee’s broader responsibilities beyond immigration, highlighting issues such as terrorism and disaster response.
“The Commission has multiple areas of focus. While the border situation has been a priority for the past two and a half years, it’s crucial to monitor the funding and approvals included in the ‘big beautiful bill’,” he noted.
