Ben Cline Earns Backing to Lead Largest Republican Caucus in Congress

Virginia Grace McKinnon

•   September 18, 2026

FIRST ON THE DAILY SIGNAL—The Republican Study Committee Executive Committee has endorsed Rep. Ben Cline, R-Va., to lead as the next RSC chairman for the 120th Congress, the Daily Signal has learned.

“Earlier this week, the Executive Committee met with Representative Ben Cline to hear his vision to lead the Republican Study Committee in the 120th Congress,” the RSC told the Daily Signal in a written statement provided on Friday.

The Executive Committee consists of Chairman August Pfluger of Texas, House Majority Leader Steve Scalise, and Republican Reps. Kevin Hern of Oklahoma, Virginia Foxx of North Carolina, and Tom McClintock of California.

“Ben has consistently demonstrated that he is a trustworthy voice in the Republican Conference, steering this storied organization as vice chair in the 119th Congress with an unwavering commitment to its founding principles and empowering fellow members to lead in their respective areas of expertise,” the statement continued.

With the full backing of the current chairman earlier this spring, Cline was the only member to throw his hat in the ring. According to the RSC, its members were “elated” to have their current vice chair running for chairman.

On Tuesday, Cline presented his plan and vision for the next Congress to the Executive Committee, and then the full RSC membership, during its weekly Wednesday lunch.

“Ben’s vision reflects the caliber of leadership the RSC requires to remain at the forefront of the fight in the House, deliver victories for hardworking Americans, and help President [Donald] Trump advance the conservative agenda,” the Executive Committee’s statement continues.

“With Mr. Cline at the helm, we are confident this organization will remain among the most consequential on Capitol Hill. Ben has our unanimous support, and we are proud to endorse his candidacy for Chairman of the Republican Study Committee for the 120th Congress,” it concludes.

Though he has the backing of the Executive Committee, Cline will still need to be formally elected by RSC members. The election will take place in mid-November following the midterm elections. Cline is in a safely Republican district in western Virginia and is expected to easily keep his seat.

RSC and Pfluger Action in the 119th Congress

Pfluger became chairman on Jan. 3, 2025. He led the committee’s work on the “One Big, Beautiful Bill,” including work requirements for Medicaid and SNAP, tax certainty for small-business owners, and border security funding.

Pfluger also led the charge against Democrats’ effort to make Affordable Care Act subsidy insurer payouts permanent, which the RSC argued were inflating the cost of health insurance.

This Congress, the RSC and Pfluger hosted the first-ever New Media Row, which brought in influencers and creators from across the country. It allowed these new-style reporters to have access to sit-down interviews with nearly 100 House and Senate Republicans.

The RSC is now prioritizing a crackdown on fraud alongside the White House Task Force to Eliminate Fraud. It is currently drafting and introducing new legislation in the House to combat fraud.

Virginia Grace McKinnon
Virginia Grace McKinnon | Journalism Fellow
Virginia Grace McKinnon is a journalism fellow for the Daily Signal.

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