Speaker Mike Johnson (R-La.) is barreling into a tricky — yet critical — decision over whom to appoint as the next chair of the House Rules Committee, a post that will set the tone for legislating and play a key role in keeping Republicans united in next year’s ultrathin majority.

At least four Republicans — Reps. Virginia Foxx (N.C.), Chip Roy (Texas), Michelle Fischbach (Minn.) and Pete Sessions (Texas) — have expressed interest in the role, which Johnson as Speaker has the responsibility to appoint. Johnson predicted he will make a decision over the holidays and announce the new chair early next year.

With little time left to choose, several factors are playing into Johnson’s selection — including gender, political ideology and seniority — creating a complex path for the Speaker as he looks to make one of his first big moves for the 119th Congress.

“It’s very complicated,” Johnson told The Hill of his decision.

The Rules Committee is often at the center of legislative battles on Capitol Hill, being the last stop for controversial bills before they hit the House floor and deciding which amendments receive votes. The chair oversees that process, acting as a close ally of leadership.

The front-runner in the race for top Republican on the panel appears to be Foxx, the outgoing chair of the House Committee on Education and the Workforce and a senior member of the House Republican conference. The North Carolina lawmaker, known for her no-nonsense demeanor, told The Hill she informed Johnson about her interest, and he had a “positive” reception.

Foxx, who is coming up on her 20th year in the House, touted herself as the most experienced member to lead the panel, pointing to her past years sitting on the Rules Committee.

“I didn’t make too strong a pitch,” Foxx said of her conversations with the Speaker, “but I served on the Rules for either eight or 10 years, and I think I could do a good job.”

“There are other people who I know are running for it, but nobody has the experience that I have, except Pete Sessions” she added. “I just think I could do a........

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