Granger making play for House appropriations chair

Rep. Kay Granger (R-TX), chairwoman of the House Appropriations defense subcommittee, announced today she would seek to succeed Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen (R-NJ) as chair of the full committee.

Frelinghuysen announced today he would not seek re-election, despite being eligible to serve as chairman for another four years, raising speculation that the GOP could have a tough time retaining a majority in the House after November's mid-term elections.

"Since Chairman Frelinghuysen announced his retirement, people have been encouraging me to seek the appropriations committee gavel," Granger announced on Twitter. "This is a very challenging time for our country, and chairman Frelinghuysen will leave tough shoes to fill. I will work hard to earn the support of my colleagues, and I look forward to a spirited race."

Rep. Robert Aderholt (R-AL) also announced on Twitter he would seek the gavel.

"If allowed by my colleagues to serve as the next chairman of the appropriations committee, I look forward to addressing these challenges," he wrote.

Meanwhile, the House is scheduled to vote this week on a largely symbolic defense appropriations bill that Democrats have vowed to block in the Senate.