Drawing on her background in national security, including working in the Defense Department for the George W. Bush administration, freshman U.S. Rep. Stephanie Murphy, D-Fla., expanded her portfolio on defense issues at the end of last week.
Already a member of the U.S. House Armed Services Committee, Murphy announced that she was also going to serve on the House Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee and the House Readiness Subcommittee.
“The security of the American people must be our top priority, and I will use my experience at the Pentagon and my roles on the Armed Services Committee to ensure our men and women in uniform have the training, resources, and support they need to keep us safe,” said Murphy as she was named to the two subcommittees. “Florida is home to numerous active-duty, reserve and National Guard installations and plays a strategic role in our nation’s defenses, so it is important that Florida has a strong voice in Congress as we set defense and military policy. We must also ensure that we are taking care of our veterans and military families who deserve our full support.”
Murphy noted that the Emerging Threats and Capabilities Subcommittee oversees counter-terrorism efforts and U.S. Special Operations Forces, the Defense Advanced Research Projects Agency (DARPA). The Readiness Subcommittee focuses on a number of fronts including simulation programs which, Murphy said, is increasingly prominent in her Central Florida district.
“Central Florida is home to renowned – and growing – modeling, simulation, and innovation industries and research institutions that are preparing our military for emerging threats and new global challenges, and I want to strengthen our region’s role in that process,” Murphy insisted. “In doing so, we not only help protect our homeland, but we also create and attract well-paying jobs for families in central Florida.”
Murphy defeated U.S. Rep. John Mica, R-Fla., who had served in Congress for 24 years, back in November in a major upset. She is a top Republican target in 2018 and two members of the state Legislature--Rep. Bob Cortes and Sen. David Simmons--have garnered attention as possible challengers.
