SAINT PAUL, Minn. – Today, Speaker-designate Melissa Hortman announced her appointment of state Rep. Rob Ecklund (DFL – International Falls) as incoming chair of the House Veterans and Military Affairs Finance & Policy Division. The appointment comes as the House DFL Caucus takes over the majority in the chamber and with this change, a new roster of standing committees and chairs.
“Many of our veterans face a variety of challenges when they return home and as legislators, we have the responsibility to do whatever we can to remove them,” Rep. Ecklund said. “I’m grateful for the opportunity to chair this committee, and I’m committed to continuing the tradition of leading it in a bipartisan manner, focused on delivering results for those currently serving and who have honorably served in the past.”
The committee will have jurisdiction over the budgets of the Minnesota Department of Veterans Affairs, including state veterans homes, and the Department of Military Affairs, as well as policy affecting veterans and service members.
Rep. Ecklund, first elected to the House in a special election in 2015, is a veteran of the United States Marine Corps.
The 2019-2020 legislative session convenes Tuesday, January 8th.