Udall gets seat on Appropriations Committee

U.S. Rep. Tom Udall, D-N.M., was given today a coveted seat on the House Appropriations Committee.

Udall, who represents Northern New Mexico and is entering his fifth term in Congress in January, is one of 37 Democrats on the powerful committee. The committee is chaired by Rep. David Obey, D-Wis.

“To serve on the Appropriations Committee will put me in a better position to serve New Mexico,” Udall said in a news release. “I will continue to fight for our shared priorities, like assisting our veterans, improving access to health care, making education more affordable and protecting our natural resources. I look forward to working with Chairman Obey and my other colleagues to move our country in a new direction.”

The committee considers appropriations to fund federal agency operations, homeland security, defense, health care, education, infrastructure development and law enforcement.

The appointment raises Udall’s stature at a time when he is considering running for Pete Domenici’s Senate seat if he retires. Udall will face other Democrats in a primary if Domenici retires and he runs for the seat, so he’ll need to build his résumé.

When Congress convenes in January, Udall will be a member of the majority party for the first time.

“I am delighted to have Tom Udall on the committee,” Obey said. “He is the kind of member who not only asks what is good for his district, but also asks what is good for America.”