Walberg bests Owens to lead House Education and the Workforce panel

Rep. Tim Walberg is slated to helm the House Education and the Workforce Committee after defeating Rep. Burgess Owens.

The Republican Steering Committee voted Thursday afternoon to designate the Michigan Republican as chair after he and Owens, of Utah, gave presentations to the panel, according to Walberg's office and two people with knowledge of the vote. His appointment now heads to the full conference for final approval, which is largely a formality.

This will be the eight-term lawmaker's first time wielding a full committee gavel. He has been a member of the committee for more than a decade, and his victory comes nearly two years ago after his loss to Rep. Virginia Foxx (R-N.C.), who won a rare party waiver to lead the Republicans on the committee for a fourth time.

Read more about his education positions.

Read more about his workforce and labor positions.

Olivia Beavers contributed to this report.