Rep. Diane Black, R-Tenn., said she is stepping down as chairman of the House Budget Committee to devote more attention to her bid to become governor of Tennessee.
Her comments came in a column for Fox News.
"I became chairman of the House Budget Committee one year ago and have been proud to serve in that role along with our new president," she said.
"He has pushed an agenda of action — responsible budgeting, repealing Obamacare's worst mandates, and aggressive tax-cutting to get our economy going. This has been exactly the kind of work I came to Congress to do and we have done it.
"But my heart has always been at home. This is why today I'm announcing that I will now step down as chairman of the House Budget Committee, while continuing to serve in Congress, to devote more attention to my next challenge: seeking the governorship of Tennessee."
And she noted, the past year has marked a dramatic shift in the U.S. and in Congress.
"What a difference a year makes," she said. "Twelve months ago, the country was ending one of the most fiscally irresponsible presidencies of the modern age. Now we're wrapping up a year of bold fiscal leadership from President (Donald) Trump and conservatives in the U.S. House of Representatives."
She said her committee helped pave "the way for historic tax cuts for the American people."
"And we led the House to endorse the largest cut to mandatory spending programs, which make up two-thirds of all federal spending in the last 20 years.
She praised the 21 Republicans members of the budget committee.
"Great challenges compel bold choices," Black said. "I have pushed Congress to make those choices and now I hope to lead my state in the same manner. There is no time to waste."
The Washington Examiner reported Black is one of a number of Republicans running for Tennessee governor in 2018.
© 2025 Newsmax. All rights reserved.