U.S. Sen. Jon Husted became the first Ohioan in more than 15 years to get appointed to the powerful Senate Appropriations Committee.

Husted, an Upper Arlington Republican, replaced Markwayne Mullin, an Oklahoma Republican, on Appropriations. Mullin resigned after being confirmed as secretary of the Department of Homeland Security.

Husted said: “My overarching goal as a United States senator for Ohio is to provide excellent service and put Ohioans first, and joining the Senate Appropriations Committee allows me to further deliver on this mission. My assignment on Appropriations will allow me to be a stronger voice in fighting for the needs of our state while finding savings to protect hard-earned tax dollars.”

The committee appointment is an accomplishment for Husted, who has served only a little over a year in the Senate. He is among 15 Republicans on the committee. Husted is the first Ohioan to serve on the committee since Republican George Voinovich, who spent two years on Appropriations before retiring from the Senate in January 2011.

The committee is responsible for allocating federal funds for discretionary spending and passing annual bills that fund federal government agencies. Those on the committee typically get more money for their state in discretionary funding.

Husted was appointed to six subcommittees: Labor, Health and Human Services, Education and Related Agencies; Agriculture, Rural Development, Food and Drug Administration and Related Agencies; State, Foreign Operations and Related Programs; Interior, Environment and Related Agencies; Legislative Branch; and Financial Services and General Government.

U.S. Rep. Dave Joyce, R-Bainbridge, who represents Trumbull County, serves as chairman of the House Appropriations Committee’s Financial Services and General Government Subcommittee.

Husted was appointed to an open Senate seat in January 2025 by Gov. Mike DeWine. Husted, who was DeWine’s lieutenant governor at the time of his appointment, replaced JD Vance, who resigned to start serving as vice president.

Husted is seeking to fill the remaining two years of the unexpired term in the November general election. Husted will face Democrat Sherrod Brown, who lost reelection in 2024 to a Senate seat he held for 18 years.

A full six-year Senate term will be on the 2028 ballot.