Congresswoman Kay Granger, whose district includes the eastern half of Wise County, will remain chair of the House State and Foreign Operations Appropriations subcommittee.

Granger will also remain vice chair of the Defense subcommittee. In January, when the new Congress convenes, she will become the fourth highest ranking Republican on the committee and the highest ranking Republican woman on the committee.

“I look forward to continuing the vital work of overseeing all U.S. foreign investments and working to ensure we maintain a robust national defense to meet the needs of the United States and our allies,” Granger said. “Over the last four years as the chair of the subcommittee, I am proud of our efforts to prioritize the programs that have worked efficiently, while making cuts to inefficient or redundant programs. In the process, we have made the State and Foreign Operations budget leaner, but more effective.

“The world is a very complicated place today, and the U.S. faces some of the most difficult foreign policy and national security challenges in our history,” she said. “Our investments in our defense and foreign policy must reflect the seriousness of these challenges and exhibit strong U.S. leadership aboard.

“We must continue to have aggressive oversight and constantly assess the success of our foreign assistance,” she added. “We must also continue to make smart investments and be responsible stewards of taxpayer funds.”

The State and Foreign Operations subcommittee plays a critical role in U.S. national security policy. From supporting key allies like Israel, funding embassy security, addressing the spread of Ebola and stopping the spread of global terrorism, Granger oversees many of the key programs that invest in the protection of the homeland.

The Defense subcommittee ensures the Army, Navy, Marine Corps and Air Force have the resources they need to ensure military supremacy in the world. With the Naval Air Station-Joint Reserve Base Fort Worth, the development of Lockheed Martin’s F-35 Joint Strike Fighter, the building of Bell Helicopter’s V-22 Osprey, and many other important defense companies based in the 12th District and throughout North Texas, the communities Granger represents makes enormous contributions to America’s security at home and abroad.