Skelton re-elected as House Armed Services Committee Chairman

Congressman Ike Skelton (D-Mo.) has been chosen by the House Democratic Caucus to serve a second term as Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee during the 111th Congress, which convenes

in January 2009, according to a news release from the committee.

Skelton, of Lexington, was named chairman of the committee after Democrats gained control of the House of Representatives in November 2006.

"During the past two years, our committee has held 118 hearings and restored critical oversight to the Department of Defense and the defense-related activities of the Department of Energy. Most importantly, both the Fiscal Year 2008 and Fiscal Year 2009 National Defense Authorization Acts received broad bipartisan support, were

approved by Congress, and signed into law," said Skelton.

"There are daunting tasks ahead to ensure that our military is ready to take on all that would harm this nation wherever they would strike us," he added. "We must also ensure and orderly and responsible redeployment from Iraq, get the resources needed to truly win the war in Afghanistan, prevent the proliferation of weapons of mass destruction and understand the implications of the current economic crisis and of energy and climate change issues for the military and our national security.

"At the same time, we must be good stewards of every tax dollar directed to our national defense and ensure that our troops and their families receive the crucial benefits they have earned and deserve," said Skelton.