Virginia's congressional 1st District once again has a representative on the House Armed Services Committee.
Rep. Rob Wittman (R--Westmoreland) has wanted a seat on that committee ever since he entered Congress in mid-December, but for months, there was no vacancy.
Yesterday, it was announced that Michigan Republican Rep. Candice Miller had agreed to step down to serve on the Homeland Security Committee.
That paved the way for Wittman to take what he says is a critical committee assignment for a district that includes five military installations and a population that is 20 percent active or retired military.
"We absolutely need to be there," Wittman said yesterday.
Wittman's predecessor, the late Jo Ann Davis, and her predecessor, Herb Bateman, both served on the Armed Services Committee.
Wittman will serve on the subcommittees for sea power and expeditionary forces and readiness.
This is Wittman's third committee assignment. He was assigned to the House Foreign Affairs Committee upon taking office, and was recently appointed to the Natural Resources Committee.
Wittman said he hopes to use that assignment to strengthen efforts to clean up the Chesapeake Bay.
Emily Battle: 540/374-5413
Email: ebattle@freelancestar.com