Rep. Roby named head of House defense Oversight subpanel

The second-term GOP lawmaker, who has served on the defense panel since being elected to Congress in 2011, will continue to help guide the subcommittee’s role as “a vital part” of the larger panel’s oversight role, Armed Services Chairman Buck McKeon (R-Calif.) said in the statement. 

{mosads}Roby “will bring the energy and attention to this job that she has already brought to her work on the full committee,” according to McKeon. 

Under Roby, the subpanel will be the full committee’s conduit in “compelling the military to address difficult truths and informing our legislative approach as we help overcome tough issues,” he said.

In the past, the Oversight Committee has taken on such difficult issues as defense spending and acquisition reform. “Under Martha’s leadership, [the subcommittee] will continue to serve this important role well,” McKeon added. 

Roby’s new chairmanship caps off the full committee’s reshuffling of subpanel leadership positions that has been under way since last November. 

Last December, Rep. Randy Forbes (R-Va.) beat out fellow Virginia Republican Rep. Rob Wittman to secure the House Armed Services Seapower subcommittee chairmanship, vacated by former Rep. Todd Akin (R-Mo.).

Ohio Republican Rep. Mike Turner will take the gavel as the new chairman of the committee’s Tactical Air and Land Forces subpanel, replacing longtime subcommittee chief former Rep. Roscoe Bartlett (R-Md.). 

Rep. Mac Thornberry (R-Texas) retains his post, dual-hatted as committee vice chairman and head of the Emerging Threats and Capabilities subpanel, while Rep. Mike Rogers (R-Ala.) will take the reins from Turner on the Strategic Forces subcommittee. 

Rounding out McKeon’s roster of subcommittee chairman is Rep. Joe Wilson (R-S.C.), who will head up the House panel’s Readiness subcommittee.