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Alexander lands key House role

01/27/2011

 By Greg Hilburn

27 January 2011

The News-Star

Fifth District U.S. Rep. Rodney Alexander has landed a leadership position on the powerful Appropriations Committee.

Alexander, R-Quitman, has been named vice chairman of the Labor, Health, and Human Services Subcommittee by Appropriations Committee Chairman Hal Rogers. R-Ky.

"That committee oversees Medicaid, Medicare, work force issues, education, labor and other issues that are especially important to the 5th District and Louisiana," said Alexander, who won a fifth term last fall. "It gives us a front row seat to address some of the problems we have in our state.

"We're a poor, rural district, so those issues are vitally important to me and the people who live in the 5th District."

Alexander is one of 12 Appropriations Subcommittee vice chairs.

"These members are an excellent group of talented, dedicated individuals that are more than ready for the difficult work of cutting spending and crafting frugal and responsible federal budgets. As vice-chairs, they will be an essential part of a successful appropriations process," Rogers said in a news release.

The Labor, Health and Human Services Subcommittee chairman is Denny Rehberg, R-Mont. Alexander will serve as chair of the subcommittee in the absence of Rehberg and assist in official committee duties.

"As many hard-working individuals continue to struggle during these tough economic times, Congress must make tough decisions in the days ahead," he said. "This assignment gives me an avenue to directly influence key issues affecting people on a daily basis."