Democratic U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark introduces legislation Nov. 17.

From the Office of Congresswoman Katherine Clark, Jan. 5, 2017: U.S. Rep. Katherine Clark, a Democrat in Massachusetts’ 5th Congressional District, has been appointed to the U.S. House Committee on Appropriations. The committee is responsible for all of the federal government’s spending priorities. As one of five exclusive committees  in Congress, the House Committee on Appropriations debates and sets amounts for discretionary federal spending on all federal agencies and programs.

“How we spend our resources is a reflection of our values,” Clark said. “Whether it’s by fighting for investments in American families, job creation through investments in roads, bridges and renewable energy infrastructure, or research and development to make scientific breakthroughs possible, I’m eager to serve the commonwealth and our country as a member of the appropriations committee.”

Clark also serves on the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee, and is a senior whip for the Democratic caucus.

First elected in a special election in December 2013 after serving as state senator, state representative, general counsel for the Massachusetts Office of Child Care Services and policy chief for the state attorney general, Clark lives in Melrose with her husband and three boys.