Scott appointed to Armed Services, Agriculture committees

U.S. Rep.-elect Austin Scott, R-Ga., has been appointed to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Agriculture Committee.

“These appointments will allow me to better represent my constituents in the 112th Congress,” The Tifton Gazette quoted Scott as saying in a news release.

“I am proud to represent Robins Air Force Base and the thousands of servicemen and women, veterans and others who call the Robins community home,” Scott said. “As a member of the House Armed Services Committee, I will have a greater opportunity to serve them as they carry out their vital mission supporting the war fighters.”

Scott, who in November unseated Jim Marshall, a conservative Democrat, is the only GOP congressman from Georgia to serve on either committee.

“The work of our Committee affects the lives of every American,” House Agriculture Committee Chairman-elect Frank Lucas, R-Okla., said in a statement. “We must work to ensure that there is proper oversight of the administration, that rural America has opportunities for job growth, and that our farmers and ranchers have the necessary tools and certainty they need to provide us with a safe, affordable, and abundant food, fiber, feed and fuel supply.”

Scott is one of 12 new Republicans appointed to the House Armed Services Committee.

“The Armed Services Committee will be blessed with the addition of such a strong group of members next Congress,” U.S. Rep. Howard P. “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., the Chairman-elect of House Armed Services Committee, said in a statement. “Their backgrounds – including many with combat experience in Iraq or Afghanistan – and unique experiences will benefit our committee, the military services, and, most importantly, the men and women of our Armed Forces and their families.

“Our new Members will be called upon to immediately put their talents to work on behalf of our troops as the committee shifts to a war footing,” McKeon added. “We will work tirelessly to ensure our deployed forces have the resources they need to win in Afghanistan and sustain hard-fought gains in Iraq. Additionally, I’m confident that each of our new Members share my commitment to spend every defense dollar wisely and return fiscal discipline to the Department of Defense.”