NASHVILLE, TN – Tennessee made more political history today with the appointment of Republican lawmakers to chair more than half of the 13 committees in the state House of Representatives. This is the first time in recent history that Republicans have chaired a majority of the committees in the state House, and is the result of Republicans winning a majority of seats in the state Legislature.

“While Republican lawmakers should have been appointed to chair all of the committees, we are gratified that the Republican caucus leadership fought hard and secured seven committee chairmanships in the wake of last week’s backroom deal in which the minority-party Democrats installed their choice as Speaker,” said Robin Smith, Chairman of the Tennessee Republican Party.

In the November 2008 election, Republicans won a majority of seats in the state House for the first time since 1868. Under the previous Democrat majority, no Republicans were appointed as committee chairs.

The committee appointments, announced Thursday, include Republicans as Chairman of seven committees: Calendar and Rules, Commerce, Consumer & Employee Affairs, Conservation & Environment, Education, Government Operations and State & Local Government.

However, Democrats will continue to chair six committees, including the important Finance, Judiciary and Transportation committees.

The Speaker not only cheated the Republican majority out of half of the chairmanships it deserved, he has created the potential for gridlock by appointing to most of the committees and an equal number of Democrats and Republicans.

“Tennessee is facing tough times and serious choices, and voters last November voted for conservative leadership, but Kent Williams has decided to create a system designed to create gridlock in the House,” Smith said. “That’s unfortunate, but the Republican-led Senate, under the capable leadership of Lt. Gov. Ron Ramsey, stands ready to lead Tennessee through tough times based on sound conservative principles and honest dealings with the public and with fellow lawmakers.”