Congressman Black Leaving Post As House Budget Chair

Gallatin Congressman Diane Black announced Wednesday morning she’s stepping down as the chairman of the House budget committee.

She wrote
in an op-ed on Fox News that she wants to devote more time to her campaign for Tennessee Governor.

House Republicans have a rule that representatives must give up the budget chairmanship if they’re running other offices, nicknamed the ”
Paul Ryan rule.” In July, Black said
she was delaying the launch of her campaign because of House rules. But Speaker Ryan waived the requirement for Black, who announced her bid in August.

The former nurse and state legislator has continued to have the highest name recognition of anyone in the crowded field for governor,
according to Vanderbilt polling.

Black served as budget chair for one year and is taking some credit for shaping the tax cut package passed last week.

“Great challenges compel bold choices. I have pushed Congress to make those choices and now I hope to lead my state in the same manner,” she writes.