Capito only freshman Senator to chair subcommittee in Congress

U.S. Sen. Shelley Moore Capito, R-W.Va., will be the chairman of the Legislative Branch subcommittee for the 114th Congress.

Capito was appointed Jan. 20 by U.S. Sen. Thad Cochran, R-Miss., Chairman of the Senate Committee on Appropriations.

She will be the only freshman Senator to chair an Appropriations subcommittee.

“Having a lead role in determining our nation's spending priorities is a tremendous responsibly that I take very seriously. I look forward to working with Senator Cochran and the entire Appropriations Committee to ensure taxpayer dollars are used wisely,” Capito said in a statement. “I am extremely grateful for the opportunity to lead the Legislative Branch subcommittee and to ensure West Virginia has a voice in the appropriations process.”

The Senate Appropriations Committee is the largest committee in the U.S. Senate. Its role is to fulfill Congress' constitutional obligation to fund federal government functions. Funding for the United States Congress and Capitol complex fall under the jurisdiction of the Legislative Branch subcommittee.