Rep. Graves lands key committee assignment

WASHINGTON - Freshman 9th District Congressman Tom Graves has landed a seat on a key House committee: the appropriations committee.

A seat on the appropriations committee is considered a "plum" assignment for any member of Congress, much less a newcomer. The powerful panel oversees billions of dollars in federal spending.

Graves said he would use the post to flex his credentials as a fiscal conservative.

"The 112th Congress has a clear mandate to end the reckless fiscal ways of Washington, and that process can only begin by putting a plug in the wellspring of Federal spending-the Appropriations Committee," Graves said. "As our staggering debt grows by the day and threatens our long-term economic viability, I am prepared to take on the challenge of cutting spending and reforming the appropriations process."

He said Republican wins in November show Americans want to rein in spending.

The 112th Congress is set to convene shortly after the first of the year.

The north Georgia Republican was elected to fill the seat held by Nathan Deal, now Georgia's governor-elect.