Tucson lawmaker also participates in first Armed Services Committee hearing
Washington, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Gabrielle Giffords, already serving on the House Armed Services Committee, was named this week to two more influential congressional panels.
House leaders picked Giffords to serve on the Science and Technology Committee and the Foreign Affairs Committee.
“Serving on three important committees will be a heavy load,” said Giffords. “But the people of Southeastern Arizona sent me to Washington to work hard representing their interests, and that's exactly what I intend to do.”
The Science and Technology Committee oversees all federal civilian energy research and devleopment. Giffords has long championed efforts to boost federal investment in renewable energy as a way to break the country’s dependence on foreign oil. The committee also establishes standards to help assure the accuracy of America’s voting machines.
Giffords noted that her appointment to the Foreign Affairs Committee is a fitting assignment considering the long border her district, Arizona's 8th, shares with Mexico.
Today Giffords participated in her first Armed Services Committee hearing, questioning Gen. Peter Pace, the chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. CD8 is home to Davis-Monthan Air Force Base in Tucson and Fort Huachuca in Sierra Vista.
Also today, Rep. Ike Skelton of Missouri, the chairman of the Armed Services Committee, named Giffords to two subcommittees: Readiness and Air and Land.