House Democrats this week will vote to confirm committee appointments for freshmen lawmakers and others changing committees.
Among the 27 Democrats awaiting confirmation to new committees are eight hoping to join the House Armed Services Committee–several of whom have military experience–and three to the House Homeland Security Committee.
Among the members joining HASC is Rep. Tim Walz (D-Minn.), who has served in Congress since 2007. Walz joined the Army National Guard at age 17 and served for 24 years, rising to the rank of command sergeant major–making him the highest-ranking enlisted soldier to serve in Congress, he says in his biography.
Rep. Beto O’Rourke (D-Texas), who has served one term in Congress and represents the Fort Bliss area, will also join the committee, along with freshmen Donald Norcross (D-N.J.), Ruben Gallego (D-Ariz.), Mark Takai (D-Hawaii), Gwen Graham (D-Fla.), Brad Ashford (D-Neb.) and Seth Moulton (D-Mass.).
Gallego enlisted in the Marine Corps while earning his bachelor’s degree at Harvard, serving a tour in Iraq with a reserve infantry company that saw heavy combat and many casualties during its deployment.
Takai joined the Hawaii Army National Guard as a first lieutenant in 1999 and, now a lieutenant colonel, currently serves as the division chief for soldier services and a school liaison. Takai has deployed several times, including as the company commander of a medical company, and was called to active duty to serve as the Hawaii Army National Guard deputy state surgeon.
Moulton joined the Marines in 2001 and served four tours in Iraq over five years. He worked to set up Iraqi security and media and worked directly for Gen. David Petraeus during his career, and he left the Marine Corps in 2008 as a captain.
Freshmen Bonnie Watson Coleman (D-N.J.), Kathleen Rice (D-N.Y.) and Norma Torres (D-Calif.) will join the House Homeland Security Committee.
Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-Calif.) announced Friday that she supported the assignments, which all House Democrats will vote on this week.
“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,” she said. “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 Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, which doled out these 27 committee assignments, will meet again in the coming weeks to discuss additional assignments, according to a committee news release.