CONGRESS: Aguilar, Torres get committee assignments
The newest members of the Inland House of Representatives delegation now have committee assignments.
Rep. Pete Aguilar, D-Redlands, will serve on the House Armed Services and Agriculture committees.
"I look forward to serving the tens of thousands military personnel and veterans who call the Inland Empire home as a member of the Armed Services Committee," said Aguilar, a former Redlands mayor who replaces Rep. Gary Miller, R-Rancho Cucamonga. "These proud men and women need a voice in Congress who will fight for our military and work to create defense jobs and grow renewable energy and manufacturing in San Bernardino County. Let's come together to make the Inland Empire an incubator for future growth in these sectors to grow our economy."
"Agriculture has been a key part of our region's economy for generations, and I will work to strengthen this industry and the jobs it supports on the Agriculture Committee. At the same time, the Inland Empire was hit hard by the economic recession and many families are still struggling to make ends meet. I will fight for critical family nutrition programs like SNAP so that those in need have a way to feed their families."
Rep. Norma Torres, D-Pomona, was assigned to the Homeland Security committee.
"The issues that come before the Homeland Security Committee are of critical importance to my state and my district. A destination for tourists and domestic and international commerce, California relies on our ability to ensure our nation's transportation, border, and cyber security," said Torres, who takes over for former Rep. Gloria Negrete McLeod, D-Chino.
"The 35th district is home to Ontario International Airport and serves as an inland port through which goods from the Ports of Los Angeles and Long Beach are transported to the rest of the country. Protecting our nation's infrastructure and ensuring the effective implementation of security regulations are vital to the region's economy. As Congress wrestles with addressing our broken immigration system, we also cannot afford to forget that protecting our borders goes hand-in-hand with reforming our immigration laws to reflect the realities of the 21st century."
Here are committee assignments for other Inland representatives:
-- Ken Calvert, R-Corona: chairman, Appropriations Subcommittee on Interior, Environment, and Related Agencies. Also serves on the Defense and Water subcommittees.
-- Paul Cook, R-Yucca Valley: Armed Services, Foreign Affairs and Veterans' Affairs committees.
-- Duncan Hunter, R-Alpine: Transportation and Infrastructure, Armed Services and Education and Workforce committees.
-- Raul Ruiz, D-Palm Desert: Natural Resources and Veterans' Affairs committees.
-- Mark Takano, D-Riverside: Veterans' Affairs and Education and Workforce committees.
Source: Jeff Horseman, The Press Enterprise