More Major Congressional Assignments for Courtney

U.S. Rep. Joseph Courtney has picked up more major assignments in the 113th Congress.

The 2nd-District Democrat said on Tuesday that he will serve as vice ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee of the House Armed Services Committee. The committee has jurisdiction over the U.S. Navy.

Courtney will be the 11th-most senior Democrat on the House Armed Services Committee, and will again be a member of the Readiness Subcommittee, which oversees military installations,.

“As the only member of the Connecticut delegation on the House Armed Services Committee, I am uniquely positioned to advocate on behalf of Subase New London, our servicemen and women and our submarine fleet,” Congressman Courtney said. “At a time when our navy is playing an increasingly vital role in our nation’s defense, it is critical that we make smart choices now to support the needs of the fleet in the future.  In my new role as vice ranking member,I look forward to working with the Navy and my colleagues on the panel to ensure robust investment in our nation’s shipbuilding priorities and overseeing the two-per-year Virginia class submarine production I have pushed for since my arrival in Congress.”

During his first six years on the House Armed Services Committee, Courtney "successfully advocated for increased submarine production and earned a reputation as a leader in the area of shipbuilding,” said House Armed Services Committee Ranking Member Adam Smith, D-WA.

He added, “As vice ranking member of the Seapower and Projection Forces Subcommittee, Rep. Courtney will play an even larger role on those issues this Congress.”

In addition to his vice ranking member position, Congressman Courtney will serve as the top Democrat on the Education and Workforce Committee’s Workforce Protections Subcommittee. The subcommittee has jurisdiction over wages and hours of workers, workers’ compensation, trade and immigration issues as they impact employers and workers, workers’ safety and health, and all matters related to equal employment opportunity and civil rights in employment.

Courtney also retained his position on the House Agriculture Committee. Two years ago, Courtney became the first member of Congress from Connecticut in 100 years to serve on the committee - a platform from which to address key farming issues in eastern Connecticut, including what he calls, "a flawed milk pricing system."

Courtney will also continue to co-chair the Congressional Dairy Farmers Caucus.