Rep. Trey Gowdy officially took hold of the gavel on the House Oversight and Government Reform Committee Tuesday.

The South Carolina Republican replaced previous Chairman Jason Chaffetz, who announced in April he would end his congressional term on June 30 after deciding not to run for re-election.Chaffetz submitted a resignation letter, which was read on the floor and effective immediately.Earlier Tuesday, the GOP conference ratified a decision made by the Steering Committee last week in choosing Gowdy to lead the panel.- See more at: http://www.rollcall.com/news/politics/gowdy-officially-becomes-house-oversight-chairman#sthash.lx94E57r.dpuf