Speaker-designate John Boehner announced Friday that Rep. Dan Lungren (R-Calif.) will head the House Administration Committee in the 112th Congress.

The Ohio Republican said Lungren, who currently serves as ranking member on the panel, will help ensure a smooth GOP transition to the majority.

“Throughout his tenure with the House Administration Committee, Dan has been a leader in the Committee’s efforts to ensure the smooth, efficient and cost-effective operation of the House,” Boehner said in a statement. “In his new role as Chairman, Dan will continue providing the leadership and oversight needed to rein in the cost of operating Congress and save taxpayer dollars, consistent with the GOP’s Pledge to America.”

Lungren was the presumptive choice to take over the panel despite challenging Boehner in 2008 for the Minority Leader position.

During his tenure on the House Administration Committee, Lungren has been a solid conservative voice but has also managed to work across the bench with Chairman Robert Brady (D-Pa.).

Lungren is likely to have his hands full next Congress when the committee will have to deal with a bungled fiscal 2011 Capitol Police budget and repairing thousands of Capitol and Congressional office safety hazards, all while fulfilling Boehner’s pledge to cut legislative branch spending.

Daniel Newhauser contributed to this article.