Three new Republicans on Wednesday were named to the powerful House Appropriations Committee ahead of work on a possible omnibus spending package for fiscal 2014.
Reps. Mark Amodei (Nev.), Martha Roby (Ala), and Chris Stewart (Utah) were given their new assignments by the Republican steering committee. The appointments bring to 29 the number of Republicans serving under Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.), and the move could increase his say over how a final budget deal for 2014 turns out.
{mosads}Appropriators are generally united in wanting sequester cuts shifted to entitlement cuts and could oppose any budget deal that leaves all the sequester cuts in place.
“These dedicated public servants have proven their commitment to the responsible shepherding of federal tax dollars, to the regular Appropriations process, and to both the people of their districts and the American people as a whole,” Rogers said in a statement.
The three vacancies were caused by the sudden death of Rep. Bill Young (R-Fla.) and retirements of Rep. Rodney Alexander (R-La.) and Jo Bonner (R-Ala.).