U.S. Sen.-elect Tim Kaine has received his committee assignments for the 113th Congress, getting seats on the armed services, foreign relations and budget committees.

Kaine’s appointment to the Senate Armed Services Committee maintains Virginia’s long-standing presence on the panel. Departing U.S. Sen. Jim Webb, serves on the committee, and former Republican Sen. John Warner was the committee’s chairman from 1999 to 2001 and from 2003 to 2007.

“I am excited to tackle these meaningful committee assignments,” Kaine said in a statement released by his office. “Because of Virginia’s deep connections to the military, through active duty personnel, veterans, military families, and the private sector, Virginia needs a strong voice on the Armed Services committee as Congress makes decisions involving our military. As a member of the Foreign Relations committee, I hope to work with colleagues to build and maintain strong international relationships, enhancing our nation’s security and developing the global connections that lead to economic success. And as a governor who had to keep a budget balanced during the worst recession in seventy years, I believe my experience can be of value on the Budget committee as Congress wrestles with our fiscal challenges.”

– Michael Sluss