WASHINGTON, Aug. 25 (UPI) -- U.S. House Speaker Rep. Dennis Hastert, R-Ill., Wednesday named Rep. Peter Hoekstra, R-Mich., to head the House intelligence committee.
Hoekstra will succeed Rep. Porter Goss, R-Fla., who stepped aside as chairman after his nomination earlier this month as CIA director.
"Pete has big shoes to fill, but I am confident he will do an excellent job," Hastert said in a statement.
Hoekstra is sixth in seniority on the committee, but all but three of those above him were not considered candidates and the GOP House leadership is not bound by seniority -- or even membership -- of the committee in making the appointment.
Hastert's statement noted Hoekstra's interest in Iraq -- he has led a number of congressional delegations there -- and the Michigan congressman has loyally defended President Bush's prosecution of the war there, attending a ceremony to mark the the anniversary of the launch of the U.S. assault at the White House earlier this year.
