Saturday, October 24, 2009
Sen. Webb to lead subcommittee of Senate Armed Services Committee
The Senate personnel subcommittee oversees military pay and benefits.
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From The Roanoke Times
U.S. Sen. Jim Webb has been appointed chairman of the personnel subcommittee of the Senate Armed Services Committee, meaning he will oversee legislation affecting military pay and benefits, health care, education and housing.
Webb, a Naval Academy graduate and former Secretary of the Navy, has been a member of the Armed Services and Veterans Affairs committees since early 2007. He was elected to the Senate in November 2006. He also is a member of the Senate Foreign Relations and Joint Economic committees.
His appointment to the subcommittee post should help the Tidewater region's military community, said Carol Berg, executive director of Operation Homefront's Hampton Roads chapter.
"Mr. Webb's participation not only as a member of the military but also his experience in Congress to date has given him a huge insight into the needs of military families," Berg said. "He knows from the grass-roots level what these families need."
Webb, who served in the 5th Marine Regiment during the Vietnam War, was awarded the Navy Cross, the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and two Purple Hearts during his time as a rifle platoon and company commander. He was Secretary of the Navy from 1987 to 1988.
"I think he has the interest of the families at heart," Berg said. "He has the capacity to understand."
The subcommittee's duties include overseeing the budgets for military personnel, military retirement, health care, and certain education and programs. The panel also addresses Department of Defense schools and child care, family assistance, morale, military commissaries and POW/MIA issues.
