The House GOP Steering Committee voted Wednesday to recommend that Rep. Jerry Lewis (R-Calif.) take over the chairmanship of the Appropriations Committee in the 109th Congress.

Lewis beat out Reps. Ralph Regula (R-Ohio) and Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) for the post after a hard-fought race.

“Jerry has long been a leader in the House of Representatives and I am confident that he will do a fine job as chairman,” Speaker Dennis Hastert (R-Ill.) said in a statement.

Steering’s decision must now be ratified at a full Republican Conference meeting Thursday, though the panel’s recommendations are expected to be approved.

After a break for the late Rep. Robert Matsui’s (D-Calif.) memorial service, Steering will reconvene this afternoon to interview Veterans Affairs Chairman Chris Smith (R-N.J.) and Rep. Steve Buyer (R-Ind.), who is seeking to unseat Smith.

A Steering vote on that position is expected this evening.