Moulton armed and ready

U.S. Rep. Seth Moulton campaigned last fall on a vow to bring a veteran?s perspective to Congress and he gets a chance to underscore that commitment with his appointment to the House Armed Services Committee.His office announced the Armed Services appointment on Friday, noting that Congress? Democratic Caucus votes next week to formalize committee assignments. Democrats are a minority in Congress, but Moulton stressed during his campaign that veteran representation is lacking in Congress.?This is important – we need veterans to have voices in military affairs,” Moulton said on Friday.After winning election as the Democratic representative for the Sixth Congressional District last November, Moulton was sworn in as a new congressman on Tuesday. He served four tours of duty as a Marine in Iraq.?My job, for now, is listening and learning with regards to understand my role on the committee and with regards to my constituents,” Moulton said.He does not initially know what role the Armed Services assignment will give him in assisting the River Works, Lynn?s biggest employer and the General Electric plant that manufactures civilian and military jet engines, including military helicopter and jet fighter engines.?It can?t hurt,” he said.In a statement released by his office, Moulton noted that GE employs 3,100 workers in Lynn and more than 5,500 people work at Hanscom Air Force Base in Bedford.?Serving on the Armed Services panel will help me fight for these good-paying jobs and increase economic opportunities for the Sixth Congressional District,” he stated.Moulton said Congress? Steering and Policy Committee picks Armed Services assignments.?It?s a complicated process aimed at trying to balance representation regionally,” he said.