BREAKING NEWS: Oberlander Selected as First Woman to Chair House GOP Policy Committee

HARRISBURG, Pa. – Rep. Donna Oberlander (R-Clarion/Armstrong/Forest) will continue her strong advocacy of rural issues and the 63rd District by advancing within the leadership ranks of the House Republican Caucus in Harrisburg, as she was elected today to serve as chairman of the House Majority Policy Committee.

As Majority Policy Committee chairman, Oberlander will conduct hearings about important issues, gather testimony and information from key stakeholders and work with her colleagues in the House Republican Caucus to develop policies to address those issues. Key issues of the Policy Committee in the past few years have involved rural broadband accessibility, the opioid epidemic, job creation and economic development, among a host of others.

She is the first woman to be elected to that leadership post in the House Republican Caucus.

“As Policy Committee chairman, I’ll be at the forefront of developing policies for a number of issues important to people across the state and especially here in the 63rd District,” Oberlander said. “I am grateful for the support of the people back home and my colleagues who’ve encouraged me along the way and in my previous leadership role. By taking on this new leadership role, I’ll be able to guide policy development so that the legislation being crafted in Harrisburg reflects the priorities of the people of Pennsylvania.”

Leadership elections were held Tuesday at the state Capitol and included all returning House Republican lawmakers, as well as 19 new first-time members.

The Policy Committee thoroughly examines the variety of issues identified as key priorities by House Republican members, which then helps drive the caucus’ policy agenda for the upcoming legislative session.

“I’m excited to serve in this instrumental position to work with members from around the Commonwealth and help bridge the differences among our geographically diverse regions,” said Oberlander. “That cooperation will allow us to develop consensus on the issues of the day and really make a positive difference for all Pennsylvanians.”

Oberlander served as caucus secretary for the past two legislative sessions.

The new House leadership team will also consist of Speaker-designee Mike Turzai (R-Allegheny), Majority Leader Bryan Cutler (R-Lancaster), Caucus Whip Kerry Benninghoff (R-Centre/Mifflin), Appropriations Chairman Stan Saylor (R-York), Caucus Administrator Kurt Masser (R-Columbia/Montour/Northumberland), Caucus Chairman Marcy Toepel (R-Montgomery) and Caucus Secretary Mike Reese (R-Westmoreland).

The new leadership team will be installed when the House begins the 2019-20 session in January.


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