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Rep. Norm Dicks (D-WA) has been selected to chair the House Appropriations Defense Subcommittee. The position became vacant with the death last month of long-time chair and strong defense spending proponent Rep. Jack Murtha (D-PA). Rep. Dicks has served as representative of Washington’s 6th District (Tacoma, Bremerton) in Congress since 1977. During his entire time in Congress, he has served on the House Appropriations Committee and has specialized in defense, intelligence, and environmental issues. In an interview with reporters, Dicks said that his priorities are to support the troops with the best equipment and medical care, guard against wasting defense dollars, and enhance defense acquisition management capabilities.
