GOP appropriations chairman rejects new oversight panel

Over the objection of conservatives, House Republicans anointed Rep. Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) as chairman of the Appropriations Committee today. Just hours later, the veteran appropriator rejected an idea to improve oversight by creating a new investigations subcommittee.

Rogers, known for his penchant for pork-barrel spending, could have made amends with the right instantly by supporting the new subcommittee and tapping Rep. Jeff Flake (R-Ariz.) to lead it. Instead, Rogers chose the status quo.