Freshman U.S. Rep. John Rutherford, R-Fla., was named to the U.S. House Appropriations Committee.
U.S. Rep. Rodney Frelinghuysen, R-NJ, the chairman of the committee, announced that Rutherford was coming on board on Wednesday. Rutherford replaces former U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, R-Penn., who resigned his seat at the end of last week.
“We are in the midst of a very aggressive and busy appropriations season. With the retirement of one of our great Subcommittee Chairmen, Charlie Dent, we needed to bring a new member on board, and have made additional changes in Subcommittee leadership as well,” Frelinghuysen said. “We welcome Rep. John Rutherford to the Committee, and I look forward to working closely with him over the next weeks and months to complete all 12 Appropriations bills in the House, and to fulfill our fiscal commitments to the country and the American people.”
For his part, the First Coast Republican said he welcomed his new assignment.
"I am honored to join the House Appropriations Committee and take on a greater role in ensuring that precious taxpayer dollars are spent wisely," said Rutherford. "Responsibly prioritizing our nation's spending is one of Congress's most fundamental constitutional responsibilities, and I look forward to working to rebuild our national defense, properly care for our veterans, and promote efficiency and accountability within every federal agency and program. I extend my thanks to Chairman Frelinghuysen for the invitation to join this vital committee."
During his brief tenure in Congress, Rutherford has focused on national security issues. Besides his new assignment, he sat on the House Homeland Security Committee. the House Judiciary Committee and the House Veterans Affairs Committee. In early 2017, Rutherford was named to the Task Force on Denying Terrorists Entry into the United States by U.S. Rep. Michael McCaul, R-Tex., the chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security.
First elected to Congress in 2016, Rutherford served three terms as sheriff of Duval County and as a law enforcement officer.
READ MORE FROM SUNSHINE STATE NEWS
Running for Second Term, John Rutherford Set to Remain a Force on Homeland Security Issues
