Esty Assigned to Committee on Science, Space and Technology

Freshman U.S. Rep. Elizabeth Esty will serve on the House committee on science, space and technology, her office announced Tuesday.

It’s an assignment she was hoping to get, she told the Register Citizen in December.

“Science and technology are critical to our economy in the 5th District, and a strong partnership at the federal level will be critical to boosting high-tech businesses and educational institutions,” Esty said in a statement announcing the appointment.

Esty will also serve on the transportation and infrastructure committee. She told the Register Citizen she had hoped to secure a seat on the energy and commerce committee, but was told essentially that freshmen rarely win such a coveted committee assignment.

Still, Esty said the science and technology committee is a good fit for her district, which includes Jackson Labs, the state-of-the-art bioscience facility in Farmington.

“I’m honored and excited to have the opportunity to work with my colleagues on the Science, Space and Technology Committee and with my constituents in the 5th District to boost job creation, encourage research and development, and advocate for educational institutions across central and northwest Connecticut,” she said.