(Washington, DC)  Representative John Yarmuth (KY-3) participated in his first hearing yesterday for the Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, but his role on the committee began prestigiously even before he stepped into the hearing room.

Historically, Congress is well known for its rigid hierarchical structure, which can favor experience over expertise.  But Congressman Yarmuth has quickly begun to ascend.

Louisville's Representative in the House was made the highest ranking freshman of the full committee, and as a result of his instant seniority was able to select first two subcommittee choices.  Chairman Henry Waxman (CA-30) touted "Rep. Yarmuth's dedication to responsible oversight," named him the most senior freshman on the full committee.

On the Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs Congressman Yarmuth will work to ensure that policies effecting homeland security and foreign relations are both effective and funded.  Yarmuth is the 5th highest ranking Democrat on the subcommittee, not only ahead of all his fellow freshman, but even some veterans as well.

Congressman Yarmuth will also serve on the Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Archives.  Issues pertaining to the Freedom of Information Act, the Presidential Freedom Act, as well as the controversial wiretapping procedure will fall under his jurisdiction.  Of this group, Congressman Yarmuth was made the 4th highest ranking Democrat.

 "I am honored that Chairman Waxman's confidence in me," Yarmuth said.  "The Chairman and I see eye to eye on the issues that will confront the committee.  It all stems from a basic belief that government has a responsibility to keep procedure transparent, and that federal agencies should be held accountable for how our tax dollars are spent.  That accountability has been absent and those responsibilities ignored, but we look forward to doing all we can to restore that openness and honesty in Washington."

Yesterday, at this year's first hearing, on global warming, Congressman Yarmuth aggressively pursued the amount of tax payer dollars wasted in order to keep scientist away from the media.

Today Congressman Yarmuth participated in the first Education and Labor hearing of the 110th Congress, which examined the economic squeeze on America's families.  Congressman Yarmuth, long passionate about the needs of working Americans, also received his first two choices on this committee.

As a member of the Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities, Yarmuth will deal with policies regarding at-risk children, nutrition and health for students and the elderly, and community service programs such as AmeriCorps, the Community Services Block Grant Act, and the Low Income Home Energy Assistance Program.

On the Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness, Yarmuth will tackle issues regarding services for college students and graduates, job training, adult education, and work to make higher education more affordable and attainable for low-income high school graduates and minorities.

"As America competes in an increasingly globalized economy, it's no secret that education is the key to America's continued success," Yarmuth said.  "The most concrete way to ensure our economy thrives is to nurture the potential of our communities and with these committee and subcommittee assignments I have a real opportunity to do exactly that."

Congressman Yarmuth Subcommittee Assignments

            Committee on Education and Labor

• Subcommittee on Healthy Families and Communities
• Subcommittee on Higher Education, Lifelong Learning, and Competitiveness

            Committee on Oversight and Government Reform

• Subcommittee on National Security and Foreign Affairs
• Subcommittee on Information Policy, Census, and National Affairs.