{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-named-to-key-post-on-senate-appropriations-committee", "Schatz Named to Key Post on Senate Appropriations Committee", "2014-12-12", "2014", "2014-12", "Democrat", "House", "HI", "Brian Schatz", "S001194", "www.schatz.senate.gov", null, null, "legacy", "Schatz Named to Key Post on Senate Appropriations Committee \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\t\t Will Serve on a Total of Five Committees in the Senate \n\t\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\tFriday, December 12, 2014\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\n\t\t\t\n\t\t\t  Washington, D.C. \u2013 United States Senate Democratic leadership announced the selection of U.S. Senator Brian Schatz (D-Hawai\u2018i) to serve on the key Senate Committee on Appropriations. The appointment is an especially important one.\u00a0 Prescribed in the U.S. Constitution, the Committee writes the legislation that allocates funds to government departments, agencies and organizations.\u00a0 The Committee also has responsibility for supplemental spending bills as may be needed during the fiscal year. \u201cThis is an important job because the Committee makes appropriations that support our national priorities, and because I will be in a position to ensure that the needs of Hawai\u2018i are strongly represented at a critical juncture,\u201d stated Senator Schatz.\u00a0 \u201cIt is an honor and I look forward to working with all Committee members as we move forward.\u201d    \u201cThe Appropriations post is a most significant one for our State and Country,\u201d stated Retired Admiral Thomas Fargo, former Commander of the United States Pacific Command.\u00a0 \u201cThis appointment so early in his career speaks to the fact that Senator Schatz has earned the respect of his Senate colleagues and is increasingly effective in Washington.\u201d    And the Senator will also retain his seats as a member on the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation and the Senate Committee on Indian Affairs.\u00a0  In addition, Senate Democratic leadership selected Senator Schatz to serve as one of three Democrats on the Senate Select Committee on Ethics.\u00a0 The Ethics Committee investigates allegations, and recommends disciplinary action, in cases of improper conduct by senators including violations of law or Senate rules and regulations. Appointments to these four committees are subject to a full vote by the Senate that is scheduled to occur in early January 2015. Senate Democrats have also named Senator Schatz to the Democratic Steering and Outreach Committee, a Democratic leadership committee.\u00a0 The group makes recommendations on committee chairmanships and committee assignments to the Democratic caucus.\u00a0 It also brings together senators, community leaders, policy experts, businesses and intergovernmental organizations to help develop policies to strengthen the economy and support families, workers and businesses.\r\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z", "2026-03-30T12:14:52Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://www.schatz.senate.gov/press-releases/schatz-named-to-key-post-on-senate-appropriations-committee"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 0.8844560943543911, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}