Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.) will succeed Rep. Don Young (R-Alaska) as the top Republican on the House Natural Resources Committee in the 111th Congress.

The Steering Committee voted to install Hastings as the ranking member on the committee on Thursday.

Young, dogged by ethical scandals, relinquished his Resources ranking position this week, telling his colleagues that “for the good of the Republican Party” he would step aside. Young added that once the allegations against him were cleared, he would seek to be reinstated in the post.

While he is not listed as a member of the committee, Hastings is the fourth in seniority on the panel. He took a leave of absence from Resources to serve on the Rules Committee.

Hastings is currently the second-ranking Republican on Rules. Since that committee’s membership is appointed by the minority leader, it was unclear whether he would maintain his slot in the 111th Congress.

The remaining GOP committee assignments will be doled out to Members in January.