Hastings GOP head of committee
Rep. Doc Hastings was named today the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee.
The appointment represents the Tri-Cities Republican's return to a committee that has a fair amount to do with the Inland Northwest. Federal lands are part of the panel's purview, as is timber policy.
Hastings left the committee a few years ago when he was named to the House Ethics Committee, where he eventually served as ranking Republican. The Natural Resource Committee's previous ranking Rep, Don Young of Alaska, had to step down to fight the corruption investigation he faces.