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By Josh Siegel | 07/21/2026 04:00 AM EDT
First-term Sen. Dave McCormick represents a state with few public lands but big energy concerns.
Sen. Dave McCormick (R-Pa.) may lead Republicans on the Energy and Natural Resources Committee next year. Francis Chung/POLITICO
Pennsylvania Republican Sen. David McCormick is in line to take the gavel of the Energy and Natural Resources Committee next Congress, a remarkable rise for the freshman who has distinguished himself as a leading booster of natural gas and U.S. artificial intelligence dominance.
McCormick is interested in leading Republicans on the committee, a person familiar with his plans told POLITICO, if the spot opens as expected. The sudden death of Sen. Lindsey Graham (R-S.C.) has sparked a domino effect that is likely to put the Pennsylvanian in the driver’s seat for the energy role.
Current Energy and Natural Resources Chair Mike Lee (R-Utah) told the Washington Examiner last week it would be “hard to turn down” a chance to chair the Senate Judiciary Committee should Republicans keep the majority next year. Current Judiciary Chair Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa) is term-limited.
There are Republicans with more seniority than McCormick on Energy and Natural Resources, but they are not eligible or unlikely to pursue the top spot for various reasons.
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