In the News

By Matt Dotray / A-J Media Rep. Jodey Arrington was one of four House Republicans chosen to serve on the new Joint Select Committee on Budget and Appropriations Process Reform. Arrington was chosen by House Speaker Paul Ryan to take part in the committee established under the recently enacted Bipartisan Budget Act that, according to a news release from the Speaker’s office, is charged with advancing reforms to the budget and appropriations process. “Balancing our budget and reducing our country’s debilitating debt is the challenge of the 21st Century,” said Arrington, a member of the House Budget Committee. “We, as members of this select committee, have a unique opportunity to help stave off a crisis, solve our debt problem, and pass along to our children a safe, free and solvent America. It is past time Congress gets serious about addressing the root causes that are driving our debt and threatening our nation’s future.” There’s a total of 16 members of Congress taking part in this select committee, divided equally between the House and the Senate. The appointments in each chamber are also equally divided between Republicans and Democrats. Members from the Senate have not been announced, but Arrington is currently the only freshman to be appointed. The committees will hold public hearings and present legislative recommendations no later than Nov. 30. These recommendations would then go to the House and Senate for consideration. House Speaker Paul Ryan said in a news release, “Reforming the federal budget process is not an easy task, but with the right team I am confident we can lay the foundation for a better process that will benefit future generations. As a new member of the Budget Committee, Jodey has proven in a short time to be a leader who is passionate about fiscal reforms. That’s why I chose him for this role and I look forward to tackling this issue together to get our country back on the right fiscal path.” Along with the appointment, Arrington said he’ll continue to serve on the House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, Agriculture and Budget. During his first year in Congress, as a member of the House Budget Committee, Arrington helped craft a budget that would cut $200 billion in mandatory spending, the deepest cut in 20 years. In November, Arrington delivered a speech on the House floor calling for legislation to address the national debt. Arrington will continue to serve on the House Committees on Veterans’ Affairs, Agriculture, and Budget.