Fred Upton

WASHINGTON, D.C. -- After six years serving as chairman of the powerful House Energy and Commerce Committee, the congressman for Southwest Michigan has been relegated to instead chairing one of its subcommittees.

U.S. Rep. Fred Upton, R-St. Joseph, has led the committee since 2011, when Republicans last took control of the U.S. House of Representatives.

Under House GOP rules, lawmakers can only hold a top party committee seat for six years -- regardless of whether as chairman or ranking member -- unless they get a special waiver.

Upton requested no such waiver, meaning his tenure as Energy and Commerce chairman ended with the 114th Congress.

"During the past six years as chairman of the full committee on Energy and Commerce, we accomplished big things for American families, workers, and businesses," Upton said. "Bold solutions to problems big and small."

Taking Upton's place will be incoming Energy and Commerce Chairman Greg Walden, an Oregon Republican.

Walden announced on Friday, Jan. 6, that Upton will now serve as chairman of the committee's Subcommittee on Energy.

Upton said he is excited to take on his new role overseeing the Energy Subcommittee.

He said he expects the "bipartisan record of success" seen during his tenure as committee chairman to continue under the new leadership structure.

"America's energy future is bright," Upton said. "We're excited to get to work."

Pointing to the recent energy policy overhaul approved by Michigan's state lawmakers in December, he said similar reform is needed at the federal level.

"Energy solutions have always been a priority and we will continue to promote 'all-of-the-above' strategies," Upton said. "Whether it be assuring families have access to affordable energy, updating standards and safety for pipelines, providing appropriate security for our grid, developing safer technologies for emerging energy productions and using energy as part of our diplomatic arsenal."

The incoming Energy and Commerce Committee chairman praised his predecessor's accomplishments, saying the Energy Subcommittee "is in good hands."

"Under Fred's chairmanship the committee held 562 hearings, had 354 measures passed through the House, and 202 bills and provisions signed into law," Walden said. "I know moving forward that Fred will bring that same dedication and hard work that has come to define him as he takes up the gavel of the Subcommittee on Energy."

Upton won reelection in November to his seat representing Michigan's 6th congressional district. He has held the seat representing Southwest Michigan since 1986.

Upton was among Republicans who did not endorse Republican President-elect Donald Trump.

The 6th District includes all of Berrien, Cass, Kalamazoo, St. Joseph and Van Buren counties and most of Allegan County.