Reps. Kingston, Aderholt to lead approps subpanels on HHS, FDA

Reps. Jack Kingston (R-Ga.) and Robert Aderholt (R-Ala.) will lead two key Appropriations subpanels in the 113th Congress, House leaders announced Monday.

Kingston and Aderholt will lead the subcommittees that govern the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Food and Drug Administration (FDA), respectively.

Kingston currently leads the subcommittee on Agriculture, Rural Development and the Food and Drug Administration, while Aderholt heads the subcommittee on Homeland Security.

House Appropriations Chairman Hal Rogers (R-Ky.) vowed that all new subcommittee chairmen would "shepherd tax dollars in a responsible, frugal and common-sense way" as lawmakers undertake a "tremendous amount of work ... to get our finances in order and our debt in check."

"Each and every one of these hard-working members is committed to reducing our deficits, helping Americans get back to work, and ensuring a sound financial future," Rogers said in a statement Monday.

The news comes as lawmakers stand over the so-called "fiscal cliff," a combination of tax hikes and spending cuts that will take effect in less than 24 hours.

Members of Congress returned to Washington, D.C., after the Christmas holiday and are likely to spend New Year's in negotiations and, with luck, votes on a final deal.

The House also scheduled a series of unrelated votes for Monday afternoon.

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