A.G. Gancarski
In what is a major coup for Jacksonville, first-term U.S. Rep. John Rutherford is the newest member of the U.S. House of Representatives’ Appropriations Committee.
“I am honored to join the House Appropriations Committee and take on a greater role in ensuring that precious taxpayer dollars are spent wisely,” said Rutherford.
“Responsibly prioritizing our nation’s spending is one of Congress’s most fundamental constitutional responsibilities,” Rutherford added, “and I look forward to working to rebuild our national defense, properly care for our veterans, and promote efficiency and accountability within every federal agency and program. I extend my thanks to Chairman Frelinghuysen for the invitation to join this vital Committee.”
House Appropriations Committee Chairman Rodney Frelinghuysen, a New Jersey Republican, noted that with the retirement of U.S. Rep. Charlie Dent, the committee “needed to bring a new Member on board, and have made additional changes in Subcommittee leadership as well.”
“We welcome Rep. John Rutherford to the Committee,” Frelinghuysen said, “and I look forward to working closely with him over the next weeks and months to complete all 12 Appropriations bills in the House, and to fulfill our fiscal commitments to the country and the American people.”
Rutherford, even before his election in 2016, worked on building strong relationships — such as his dynamic with House Majority Leader Kevin McCarthy, a California Republican who appeared at a Jacksonville fundraiser for Rutherford.
Rutherford is a strong favorite to be re-elected in his safely Republican district. He has $300,000 cash on hand, while his general election opponent, political neophyte Ges Selmont, has no name ID and $6,000 on hand as of the latest filing.
