U.S. Rep. Loretta Sanchez (D-Calif.) was appointed to serve as ranking member of the House Armed Services strategic forces subcommittee, which provides oversight for the nation’s military satellite programs and missile defense systems, according to a Jan. 20 press release from Sanchez’s office. Sanchez had been an active member of the subcommittee during the previous session of Congress, when it was chaired by Rep. Jim Langevin (D-R.I.), who remains on the subcommittee. Following the Republican takeover of the House of Representatives in January, Rep. Michael Turner (R-Ohio) was appointed chairman of the subcommittee after serving for two years as the ranking member.

“I am honored that my Democratic colleagues on the Armed Services Committee have selected me to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Strategic Forces,” Sanchez said in the press release. “There is perhaps no greater responsibility than ensuring our nation is properly prepared for a potential missile or nuclear attack.” Sanchez also was appointed to the oversight and investigations subcommittee.