WASHINGTON—U.S. Senator Chris Murphy (D-Conn.) on Monday announced his Committee assignments for the 117th Congress. In addition to maintaining his positions on the U.S. Senate Appropriations Committee, U.S. Senate Health, Education, Labor and Pensions (HELP) Committee, and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Committee, Murphy will chair the U.S. Senate Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security and the U.S. Senate Foreign Relations Subcommittee on Near East, South Asia, Central Asia, and Counterterrorism.
Murphy will also serve on the four additional Appropriations Subcommittees: (1) Labor, Health and Human Services, and Education, and Related Agencies; (2) Legislative Branch; (3) State, Foreign Operations, and Related Programs; and (4) Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies.
“It’s been a tumultuous, difficult past twelve months, and I feel fortunate to have the opportunity to always make sure Connecticut’s interests have a voice in the room in key committees in Congress. I’m excited for the opportunity to chair the Homeland Security Appropriations Subcommittee, which will play a critical role in protecting Americans from domestic terrorism, fixing our immigration policies in the post-Trump era, and shoring up our cyber defense infrastructure. This subcommittee also has implications for Connecticut, especially as it oversees funding for the Coast Guard,” said Murphy.
Murphy added: “The committees I serve on reflect Connecticut's interests in Washington. As a state with a large defense production footprint, the Foreign Relations Committee allows me to play a role in national security debates. As the first Connecticut senator in a generation to serve on the Appropriations Committee, I'm in a strong position to bring federal money back to our state. And with world class schools and health care facilities, the HELP Committee gives me a seat at the table on legislation important to Connecticut's students and patients.”
Murphy is the first U.S. Senator from Connecticut to serve on the Appropriations Committee since 1987. As a member of the Appropriations Committee and Chairman of the Homeland Security Subcommittee, Murphy will continue working to secure funding for Connecticut’s priorities like creating jobs that help the middle class, modernizing our transportation infrastructure, and increasing the availability of affordable housing.
As a member of the HELP and Foreign Relations Committees, Murphy will also continue advocating to strengthen the Affordable Care Act and equal access to health care across all communities, make schools a safe and inclusive environment, ensure no kids are left behind in our education space especially during COVID-19, advocate for anti-gun violence programs, and U.S. diplomatic efforts abroad.
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