Natalie Gonnella
In a congressional first, three GOP freshmen have been named to the influential House Appropriations Committee for the 112th term.
Traditionally reserved for senior Representatives due to the immense fiscal authority, the GOP has selected Congressmen-elect Alan Nunnelee, Steve Womack and Kevin Yoder to serve as members in the new congress.
The appointment of Nunnelee, Womack and Yoder to the Appropriations Committee sends a clear message that Speaker-designate John Boehner and veteran Republicans are keen to embrace the talents, experience and insights of the 63 new freshman Representatives. By inviting newly elected Congressmen to fully participate on the committee, the GOP is better inclined to represent the voices of American voters on key spending decisions.
Of the selected participants, recently confirmed committee chair Hal Rogers said: “Cutting spending, bringing down record deficits, and reining in out-of-control agencies is going to be a difficult task, but I believe the addition of these fine, talented members is a step in the right direction”
Here’s a look at the new additions:
A state legislator since 1994, Congressman-elect Alan Nunnelee was previously chairman of Mississippi's Senate Appropriations Committee. He has also been rated “a Business Champion by the Business and Industry Political Education Committee (BIPEC) for his support of free enterprise every year that he has been in office.”
In response to his recent appointment Representative-elect Nunnelee said: "We've made the tough choices in Jackson, and now we need to do the same in Washington. It's time to roll up our sleeves and find ways to stop the out of control spending in our nation's capital."
A former mayor, Womack balanced the Rogers' city budget without raising taxes once during his entire 12 years in office. The city was named one of the nation’s best places to live in 2010.
Of the priorities before the committee, Womack said: “We’re in a different climate now. I don’t think it’s business as usual. Especially with the GOP. ... You don’t run for Congress right now and expect some kind of gravy train or walk in the park. This is going to be stressful. It’s going to be ugly at times. It will be unpleasant. But the voters told us just a few weeks ago, and I thought it was loud and clear, to get the country on the right track and protect it for future generations.”
A four term state Representative, Congressman-elect Yoder served as Chairman of the Kansas House Appropriations Committee “where he [was] responsible for allocating over $13 Billion in state revenue to public schools, universities, law enforcement, prisons, social services and highways.”
Of his appointment to the House Appropriations Committee as a freshman Republican, Yoder commented: “Through my experience as Chairman of the House Appropriations Committee in the Kansas Legislature, I know what it takes to make the sometimes politically unpopular decisions in order to cut wasteful government spending. The American people spoke loud and clear on November 2nd-they want to cut spending, reduce the size of government and get our nation’s fiscal house in order. I look forward to rolling up my sleeves in January to do just that.”
Joining Yoder, Nunnelee and Womack on the committee will be Republicans Steve Austria (OH), Charlie Dent (PA), Mario Diaz-Balart (FL), Jeff Flake (AZ), Tom Graves (GA) and Cynthia Lummis (WY).
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