WASHINGTON, D.C. –House Appropriations Committee Ranking Republican Rep. Jerry Lewis has announced that the House Republican Steering Committee today approved the addition of two new Republican Members to the Appropriations Committee, Rep. Steve LaTourette (OH-14) and Rep. Tom Cole (OK-04). This brings the overall Committee ratio to 37 Democrats and 23 Republicans.

“It is my great pleasure to welcome these two very experienced and hard-working Members to this Committee. I have had the great pleasure to serve with these two highly talented individuals for many years, and their excellent reputations and records speak for themselves. There is much work to be done in the year ahead, especially when it comes to oversight and scrutiny of federal programs, reining in unnecessary government spending, and making sound budget decisions to give taxpayers the most bang for their buck. With their exceptional backgrounds and insights, Rep. LaTourette and Rep. Cole will be excellent additions to the Committee as we work to solve our nation’s fiscal and economic challenges.”