Panhandle Congressman Mac Thornberry has been selected to serve as the Vice Chairman of the House Armed Services Committee. A promotion that comes with added responsibility, one the congressman told ProNews 7 via satellite from the nation's capitol, he welcomes and is honored to have been selected.
The House Speaker-designate John Boehner has also asked Congressman Thornberry to lead cybersecurity initiatives in the house. Thornberry said there are so many committees currently that oversee cyber security. With the recent Wiki Leaks, he said that it's important that he first minimizes those committess that oversee cybersecuity making it easier to focus on getting something done.
"Part of the reason that it's been hard to address is nearly every committee has a piece of jurisdiction. So that's why the speaker has asked me to lead an effort that cuts across those committees to figure it out and really get something done," said Thornberry.
ProNews 7 also asked Congressman Thornberry about the tax package, which an expected vote in the House on Thursday was stalled. The Senate passed the bill Wednesday. It's expected to boost economic growth next year, but also widens the budget deficit. Thornberry said he's not real happy about the bill, but also said that it's important something still passes before the tax cuts expire.
"I'm not real happy about this deal, but it's essential that we prevent taxes from going up on everybody that pays taxes on January 1st," said Thornberry.
Some Democrats say the bill only benefits the wealthy.
"It applies to every income tax payer in the country and it is essential that family budgets are not hurt by tax increases but also that the overall economy has a chance to get it's feet under it and begin to grow, create jobs. That's what's at stake here, so it's just essential that we stop these tax increases," said Thornberry.
President Barack Obama was hoping the House would pass the bill without changes, so he can sign it into law before the end of December.
