On Hill, Familiar Faces Remain in Key Places

The U.S. Capitol sits behind the colorful lights of the United States Botanic Garden earlier this week. (Photo by Mark Wilson/Getty Images)

The U.S. defense industry scored two key victories this week when House Republican announced two industry allies will retain the chairmen seats on the Armed Services and Appropriations committees.

Rep. Hal Rogers, R-Kent., will again serve as Appropriations Committee chairman. Rep. Howard “Buck” McKeon, R-Calif., considered by many in Washington the defense sector’s top congressional ally, has been selected to again chair the Armed Services panel. McKeon’s No. 2 will be another defense industry ally, Rep. Mac Thornberry, R-Texas, who will be the HASC vice chairman.

A late-September Defense News analysis of campaign contribution data compiled by the Center for Responsive Politics revealed McKeon was the top recipient of campaign cash from the biggest five U.S. weapons manufacturers, and Rogers was among the leaders.

John T. Bennett

John T. Bennett

Bennett is the Editor of Defense News' CongressWatch channel. He has a Masters degree in Global Security Studies from Johns Hopkins University.
John T. Bennett
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