Government

Kim Named to Armed Services Committee, Pledges to be a ‘Vocal Proponent’ for Joint Base

by
Daniel Nee
January 14, 2019

The Boeing KC-46 tanker during a test flight. (Credit: USAF)

U.S. Rep. Andy Kim (NJ-3) has been named to the House Armed Services Committee, his office confirmed, meaning the freshman Democratic congressman will have a seat on the body that controls the finances behind Joint Base McGuide-Dix-Lakehurst, most of which is located in the third congressional district.

The joint base is Ocean County’s largest employer and recently broke ground on an $82.4 million hangar for the 24 KC-46 refueling tankers that will be stationed there. Kim was recommended to the Armed Services Committee by the House Democratic Steering and Policy Committee. The full Democratic caucus is expected to formalize the recommendation later this week, while Kim is expected to be named to a second House committee in the upcoming days.

“I am honored to have been selected to serve on the coveted Armed Services Committee,” said Kim, in a statement. “My highest priority in Congress is meeting the needs of New Jersey’s Third District and securing a seat on the Armed Services Committee is an important first step toward doing so.”

Before taking an elected office, Kim was a U.S. State Department employee who advised Gen. David Patraeus on policy in Afghanistan before being appointed to a national security advisory role for former President Barack Obama.

Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst directly employs nearly 50,000 people, including more than 30,000 active duty. It is the only tri-service base in the entire country and includes units from all five armed forces branches.

“The continued success of Joint Base McGuire-Dix-Lakehurst is critical to the economic success of the Third District, the state of New Jersey and the nation’s defense infrastructure,” Kim’s statement said. Serving on the Armed Services Committee will allow me to be a strong a vocal proponent of the Joint Base, to put my national security expertise to work for the people of Burlington and Ocean counties, and to advocate for more good-paying jobs and economic opportunities across New Jersey’s Third District.”