Pelosi taps Marine vet for Armed Services panel

House Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (Calif.) is recommending eight fellow Democrats to join the powerful House Armed Services Committee.

{mosads}The picks include, Rep. Seth Moulton (Mass.), a Marine Corps veteran who served four tours in Iraq, and Rep. Tim Walz (Minn.), the highest-ranking enlisted soldier in congressional history. 

“The Democratic Members recommended to serve on the following committees have proven themselves to be forward-looking leaders who embody the diversity, drive, and vitality of our caucus,” Pelosi said in a statement.

“They will bring fresh perspective and new energy to each of these committees, and we look forward to having their intelligence and ideas working in these new positions, strengthening our economy and securing our country.”

The other members recommended by Pelosi are Reps. Beto O’Rourke (Texas), Donald Norcross (N.J.), Ruben Gallego (Ariz.), Mark Takai (Hawaii), Gwen Graham (Fla.), and Brad Ashford (Neb.). 

The Democratic side of the Armed Services panel needed an infusion of new blood after seven members lost their reelection bids in November or retired.

Republicans hammered Democrats on national security issues as they captured control of both chambers of Congress. But many of the Democrats tapped by Pelosi boast strong military credentials.

Walz, a 24-year member of the Army National Guard, told The Hill in November that he was in talks with Pelosi about joining the panel. Those talks began after Walz mounted an unsuccessful bid to be the top Democrat on the House Veterans’ Affairs Committee.

It is unclear if Walz will remain on the VA committee as well since the full roster for the panel has yet to be set.

“I’m honored to be selected by leadership to this influential committee and look forward to this new challenge and responsibility,” Walz said in a statement.

Moulton, a Marine Corps veteran, served four tours in Iraq, first as platoon leader and then as an aide to retired Gen. David Petraeus. He stunned political observers last year when he defeated nine-term Rep. John Tierney (Mass.) in the Democratic primary.

He was buoyed by high-profile endorsements including the first by retired Army Gen. Stanley McChrystal, the former top U.S. commander in Afghanistan. Moulton cruised to victory over Richard Tisei (R) in the general election, one of the few bright spots for Democrats, and had gone on record as wanting to serve on the Armed Services panel.

“I am humbled and grateful that my colleagues in the Massachusetts delegation and the Democratic Caucus have placed their faith in me to serve on the House Armed Services Committee,” Moulton said in a statement.

Graham is another rising party star. She defeated Rep. Steve Southerland (R) after successfully fending off multiple attacks on her national security credentials.

Takai is a lieutenant colonel and preventive medical officer in the Hawaii National Guard. He has served 15 years in the Guard and been deployed to Iraq

Gallego is an Iraq War veteran, while Ashford is the son of a decorated World War II bomber pilot.

Like Walz, O’Rourke has served on the House VA panel, overseeing the troubled Veterans Affairs Department as it recovers from last year’s scandal over delayed medical care.

The full Democratic Caucus will vote on the nominations next week, according to Pelosi.

This story was last updated at 2:27 p.m.