NJ Herald: Gottheimer named to Financial Services panel, delivers first speech on House floor

New Jersey’s 5th Congressional District will retain its presence on the House Financial Services Committee in the 115th U.S. Congress.

U.S. Rep. Josh Gottheimer, D-5th Dist., was named to the committee on Tuesday. The committee has jurisdiction over banking, insurance, international finance, housing, securities and exchanges.

Former Rep. Scott Garrett, a Republican whom Gottheimer defeated in November’s election, was on the committee and also served as chairman of the Capital Markets and Government-Sponsored Enterprises Subcommittee.

“It will be an honor to serve on the House Committee on Financial Services and utilize my private and public sector experience to help create and keep good-paying jobs here in New Jersey,” Gottheimer said in a press release.

The Bergen County Democrat was a speechwriter for President Bill Clinton and is a former Microsoft executive.

“The finance industry represents a major part of our local economy in the 5th Congressional District, including Realtors, community banks, investment funds and many other businesses,” he said in the release. “The Committee on Financial Services covers many issues of vital interest to my constituents, helping businesses small and large access the capital they need to grow and create jobs and protecting consumers.”

The committee oversees the work of the Federal Reserve, the Treasury Department, and the Securities and Exchange Commission, in addition to other financial services regulators. The chairman of the committee is Rep. Jeb Hensarling, R-Texas, and the ranking minority member is Rep. Maxine Waters, D-Calif.

“I thank my friends on the Steering and Policy Committee, especially Congressmen Don Norcross, Frank Pallone and Bill Pascrell in the New Jersey delegation, and others for this exciting appointment,” Gottheimer says in the press release. “I look forward to rolling up my sleeves, working across the aisle and getting to work on behalf of the people of northern New Jersey.”

Gottheimer delivered his first speech on the House floor on Wednesday, reiterating his “commitment to working across the aisle to deliver results on the issues that matter to New Jersey families and businesses.”

“We are all tired of Washington’s partisanship, and I will work across the aisle, whenever possible, to get things done,” he said in his address to the House chamber. “Because working together, and I will work for everyone in the district, I believe that our best days will always be ahead of us.”