Marino press release

CONTACT: FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
Renita Fennick Jan. 7, 2011
202-870-3386
Renita.Fennick@mail.house.gov
　
WASHINGTON, D.C. – Rep. Tom Marino, of Pennsylvania’s 10th District, will receive a third U.S. House Committee assignment next week.

The House Steering Committee on Friday recommended Marino, a freshman Republican from Lycoming Township, be assigned to the Committee on Foreign Affairs. Marino was previously named to the House Judiciary and Homeland Security committees.

The Foreign Affairs Committee is involved with the oversight and legislation relating to foreign assistance, national security developments affecting foreign policy, strategic planning and agreements, war powers, treaties, arms control and the deployment and use of the U.S. Armed Forces. The panel also deals with international law-enforcement issues including narcotics control programs and activities.

Marino, 58, is a former U.S. Attorney and Lycoming County District Attorney.

"My work as a U.S. Attorney involved not only domestic work but international relations with other countries and I’m sure that will help with this committee assignment," Marino said. "I’m glad to be able to play a role to help the United States establish a peaceful relationship with other nations."

Marino said he was honored to be asked to sit on a third committee – which he says is unique for a freshman congressman.

"There is a lot of work to do as far as foreign relations go, with the Middle East and Korea," Marino said. "There are some pressing issues and I look forward to helping to work with my colleagues to help solve them."

The committee is chaired by Ileana Ros-Lehtinen, a Republican congresswoman from Florida, and includes other notable Republicans such as Dan Burton, Indiana; Ron Paul, Texas; Mike Pence, Indiana, and Connie Mack, Florida.

Marino was sworn into office on Wednesday and voted on several key issues in his first week, including a House rules package designed to create a more transparent, ethical and fiscally responsible process. The new rules require members of Congress to cite constitutional authority for every piece of legislation they introduce; requires publication of legislation for a set period of time to give the public and members time to review it; and implements several budget and spending reforms.

Also this week, Marino supported another piece of legislation which will reduce by 5 percent the operating budgets of House committees, leadership offices and individual member offices.