Bishop Now Ranking Member of MilCon Subcommittee

Washington, DC – Congressman Norm Dicks (WA-6), Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee, today announced that Congressman Sanford D. Bishop, Jr. (GA-2) has been selected for the position of Ranking Member of the House Appropriations Committee’s Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, & Related Agencies.

“I am looking forward to meeting the challenge of serving as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee which funds our nation’s military construction and the programs that provide benefits for our nation’s veterans,” said Congressman Bishop. “This is a great honor for me and it provides great benefits for the State of Georgia and the Second District. The State of Georgia has a total of nine major military facilities and bases around the state, representing tens of thousands of jobs and several billion dollars of the state’s economy. With the recent expansion at Ft. Benning and the Marine Corps Logistics Base in Albany, these areas will soon witness great economic expansion. For example, Ft. Benning contributes over $1.2 billion to the local Columbus economy annually and will have over 51,000 military and civilian jobs with the addition of the Armor School.”

“The Subcommittee is also responsible for the oversight of veteran’s affairs. With over 700,000 veterans living in the State of Georgia, their well-being is a chief concern of mine. I remain committed to providing deserved heath and education benefits for those who have bravely served our country.”

The budget of the Subcommittee on Military Construction, Veterans Affairs, & Related Agencies for Fiscal Year 2011 is $78 billion.

Congressman Bishop will remain on the Subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development, Food & Drug Administration, & Related Agencies.

“Remaining on the Agriculture Subcommittee allows me to continue to do my dead-level best for the Georgia Agriculture community,” said Congressman Bishop. “Agriculture is a vital part of the economy of Southwest Georgia, so my continued membership on the Subcommittee is crucial to the success of our region.”

Congressman Bishop also secured a seat on the Subcommittee on Legislative Branch, whose jurisdiction includes: House of Representatives; Joint Items; Architect of the Capitol (Except Senate Items); Capitol Police; Capitol Visitors Center; Congressional Budget Office; Government Accountability Office; Government Printing Office; John C. Stennis Center; Library of Congress; Office of Compliance; Open World Leadership Center; and the United States Capitol Preservation Commission.

Ranking Member selections are still subject to approval by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and the Democratic Caucus.

###