After he was sworn in to the U.S. House of Representatives on Wednesday afternoon, Rep. Bradley Byrne (R-Ala.) announced that he would join the House Armed Services Committee and the House Natural Resources Committee, as approved by the House Republican Steering Committee.

Byrne, a Republican representing the 1st Congressional District of Alabama, said he had courted House leadership for these two committee assignments, because of their direct relevance to issues important to his south Alabama district, which includes Escambia County.

“These assignments are a victory for south Alabama jobs,” Byrne said. “After speaking with friends and neighbors in our community, we concluded that these were the two avenues where we could do the most good for our home.

“I could not be more pleased to join these two committees, and I look forward to working together with my colleagues to represent our community’s voice.”

The House Armed Services Committee is the committee with direct oversight and responsibility for setting defense policy in the House of Representatives. The chairman is Rep. Buck McKeon (R-Calif.).

“With close to 4,000 jobs represented by Austal’s presence in south Alabama alone, I am focused on promoting job creation and growth to bring a better quality of life to our community,” Byrne said.

The House Natural Resources Committee has a broad jurisdiction over issues that include federal lands, offshore drilling, fisheries and marine policy. The chairman is Rep. Doc Hastings (R-Wash.).

“Representing my constituents’ voice on preserving the Mobile-Tensaw River Delta, addressing the failed management policies of red snapper in the Gulf, potential oversight of RESTORE Act funding, and promoting a strong energy policy with responsible offshore drill are my top priorities as I join this committee,” Byrne said.