Detroit, MI —  Today, Congresswoman Carolyn Cheeks Kilpatrick (MI-13) secured membership on two powerful U.S. House Appropriations Subcommittees—the Defense Subcommittee and the Transportation/Housing and Urban Development (HUD) Subcommittee—during the historic 111th Congress.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick is the first African American woman and the second woman in the history of our country to serve on the Defense Subcommittee, which is the largest appropriations bill in the federal government. The Defense Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Departments of the Army, Navy (including Marine Corps), Air Force, Office of the Secretary of Defense, Central Intelligence Agency, Intelligence Community Staff, and Defense Agencies. The subcommittee has $512.7 billion authorized in total spending for fiscal year 2009. Energy, healthcare, housing, education, and research and development funding is also included in the Defense bill.

“It is an honor and a privilege to serve on the Defense Subcommittee. I look forward to working to provide our military with the resources necessary to defend and protect our freedoms and ensure the safety and security of America’s families,” said Congresswoman Kilpatrick. “This subcommittee is important to the 13th Congressional District and the State of Michigan as we work to restructure and revitalize the automotive and manufacturing industries. More than half of the Army’s ground combat vehicles and maintenance services come through the U.S. Tank-Automotive and Armaments Command (TACOM), which is located in Michigan. The U.S. Army Tank Automotive Research, Development, and Engineering Center (TARDEC) is our link to the military and advanced automotive technology. TARDEC develops and maintains all of the vehicles of the U.S. military in the United States and abroad. It is time for the 13th Congressional District and Michigan to benefit from this association and the opportunities offered by our U.S. military.”

The Transportation/Housing and Urban Development Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the Department of Housing and Urban Development, the Department of Transportation, the Architectural and Transportation Barriers Compliance Board, the Federal Maritime Commission, the National Transportation Safety Board, the Neighborhood Reinvestment Corporation, the United States Interagency Council on Homelessness, and the Washington Metropolitan Area Transit Authority. The subcommittee appropriated $103.6 billion in total spending for fiscal year 2008.

“As Congress works to reauthorize the massive, five-year transportation bill, I look forward to helping effect change for the 13th Congressional District and our state. I worked hard to get funds authorized for a Detroit to Ann Arbor commuter rail system. I look forward to working with elected, business, and community leaders to make this system a reality. It will not only provide more cost-efficient access to jobs, healthcare, Metro Airport, and other destinations, but it will also provide contracting opportunities for businesses and create jobs for our citizens. My service on this Subcommittee has resulted in more transit options for citizens, including the replacement and rehabilitation of buses, overhaul of the People Mover, and construction of the Rosa Parks Transit Center,” said Congresswoman Kilpatrick, who has secured more than $145 million in transportation funding for Michigan.

Congresswoman Kilpatrick is the second African American woman and the only U.S. Representative from Michigan to serve on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, which authorizes spending for all levels of the federal government. As a Member of the Appropriations Committee, the Congresswoman has a vote on all 12 appropriations bills. During her tenure on the committee, she has secured more than a half billion dollars to revitalize the state of Michigan.