By Brandon Moseley
Alabama Political Reporter
On Wednesday, the House leadership has asked Congresswoman Martha Roby (R) from Montgomery to join the powerful House Appropriations Committee and the conservative Alabama Congresswoman has accepted the assignment.
Representative Roby said, “I am honored to accept a position on the House Committee on Appropriations and I appreciate the confidence my colleagues have placed in me by selecting me to serve in this capacity. Appropriations has oversight on the whole range of government spending, including our military. This new role provides a unique opportunity to push for the kind of conservative spending priorities that will put us on a sustainable financial path for future generations. I’m convinced having a seat on the Appropriations Committee will afford me more influence on the issues that matter most to the people of Alabama’s Second District.”
Rep. Roby’s assignment was approved by the House Republican Steering Committee on Wednesday. She will be joined by Reps. Mark Amodei (R) from Nevada and Chris Stewart (R) from Utah who also received assignments to the committee.
The unusual mid-Congress vacancies were created by the resignations of Reps. Jo Bonner (R) from Mobile and Rodney Alexander (R) from Louisiana, and the death of Rep. Bill Young (R) from Florida.
Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers (R) from Kentucky said in a written statement,
“I am pleased to welcome Representatives Amodei, Roby, and Stewart to the Committee, and look forward to working side-by-side with them as we tackle our formidable work ahead. Members of the Appropriations Committee have tough jobs to do, and have a great responsibility to properly fund the federal government and support the well-being of the nation. These dedicated public servants have proven their commitment to the responsible shepherding of federal tax dollars, to the regular Appropriations process, and to both the people of their districts and the American people as a whole.”
Rep. Roby will have to surrender one of her current committee positions. The second term Alabama Congressman currently serves on the House Armed Services Committee, the House Agriculture Committee, and the House Education and the Workforce Committee. Rep. Roby says that she remains committed to supporting the district’s unique military, agriculture, and educational interests.
Rep. Roby said that, “Congress is working in a budget-constrained environment for the foreseeable future, and we must make sure every dollar spent is spent wisely,” she said. “After numerous discussions with senior colleagues in Congress and stakeholders in my state, I’m convinced having a seat on the Appropriations Committee will afford me more– not less – influence on issues that matter to the people of Alabama’s Second District.”
Congressman Robert Aderholt (R) from Haleyville already serves on Appropriations.
The House Appropriations Committee could become much more powerful if Republicans are able to take control of the Senate in 2014 elections. Democrats however hope to hold on to the Senate and take control of the House. The Committee along with the Senate sets the budget for every agency of the federal government and sets the nation’s spending priorities.
Congresswoman Roby faces re-election along with the rest of the House in 2014.
