House Republicans on Thursday picked Rep. Trey Gowdy, R-S.C., to lead the House Oversight Committee.

"I am grateful to the Steering Committee and the Conference as a whole for this opportunity to serve," Gowdy said in a statement.

"Oversight is constitutionally authorized and important to ensure branch integrity and equilibrium, which is, in part, why other Standing Committees have subcommittees dedicated to providing oversight and all other Standing Committees have oversight responsibilities," he said. "The Committee on Oversight and Government Reform is also responsible for recommending and implementing reform initiatives calculated to improve government efficiency, transparency and efficacy."

"I look forward to working alongside the other Committee members, as well as any member of Congress, as we discharge the jurisdiction assigned to us," he said.

Gowdy will replace Rep. Jason Chaffetz, R-Utah, who resigned and who will leave office on June 30.