WASHINGTON — The Democratic members of US House committees important to national security are beginning to take shape.
House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi, D-Calif., on Friday announced recommended committee assignments for 27 members of her caucus. Additional recommendations will be coming soon, her office said in a statement. And the House Intelligence Committee has a new ranking member.
The recommendations were made by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee made the recommendations, and the entire caucus must approve them. For this first batch, that caucus vote is slated for next week.
Democratic members who that would join the House Armed Services Committee include Reps. Tim Walz of Minnesota, Beto O'Rourke of Texas, Donald Norcross of New Jersey, Ruben Gallego of Arizona, Mark Takai of Hawaii, Gwen Graham of Florida, Brad Ashford of Nebraska, and Seth Moulton of Massachusetts.
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Democratic Reps. Robin Kelly of Illinois and Brendan Boyle of Pennsylvania would join the Foreign Affairs Committee.
Nominated to join the Homeland Security Committee are Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, Kathleen Rice of New York, and Norma Torres of California. And Reps. Debbie Dingell of Michigan and Ted Lieu of California would take seats on the Budget Committee.
The Steering and Policy Committee did not nominate any new members for the Appropriations Committee on Friday.
"The Democratic members recommended to serve on the following committees have proven themselves to be forward-looking leaders who embody the diversity, drive and vitality of our caucus," Pelosi said in a statement. "They will bring fresh perspective and new energy to each of these committees, and we look forward to having their intelligence and ideas working in these new positions, strengthening our economy and securing our country."
Rep. Adam Schiff, D-Calif., announced on Twitter that he has been named as the House Intelligence Committee's top Democrat.
"As the tragic events of the last 24 hours make clear, the work of our intelligence agencies and our relationships with allies will continue to be of unsurpassed importance in protecting our nation and values," Schiff said in a statement.
"There will be no shortage of issues to come before Congress in this session," he said, "from addressing new threats of terrorism at home and around the world, to reforming our surveillance capabilities and oversight, as well as securing and reinforcing our nation's cyber security."
Email: jbennett@defensenews.com.
Twitter: @bennettjohnt
