WASHINGTON, D.C. -- U.S. Senator Thad Cochran (R-Miss.) today welcomed the seven new Republican Senators appointed to the Senate Committee on Appropriations in the 112th Congress.

"I think the new members will make great additions to the Committee, which faces tough challenges ahead.  We will look to them to help the Committee make good decisions about how to do more with less," said Cochran, vice chairman of the Senate Appropriations Committee.

The Senate Republican Conference today announced committee assignments, including new members of the Senate Appropriations Committee:  Lindsey Graham (S.C.), Mark Kirk (Ill.), Dan Coats (Ind.), Roy Blunt (Mo.), Jerry Moran (Kan.), John Hoeven (N.D.), and Ron Johnson (Wis.).

Returning members include Senators Cochran, Mitch McConnell (Ky.), Richard Shelby (Ala.), Kay Bailey Hutchison (Texas), Lamar Alexander (Tenn.), Susan Collins (Maine), and Lisa Murkowski (Alaska).

All assignments have been ratified by the Republican Conference and are subject to ratification by the full Senate.  Subcommittee assignments will be determined at a later date.

###