Tsongas named ranking Democrat on Armed Services subcommittee

By David Uberti, Globe Correspondent

WASHINGTON - Representative Niki Tsongas of Lowell has been named ranking member of the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations, her office announced Monday.

Tsongas, elected in 2007, was appointed by Representative Adam Smith - ranking Democrat on the Armed Services Committee - who said in a statement that the Lowell Democrat “has earned her stripes.” She’ll sit opposite Congresswoman Martha Roby, an Alabama Republican who will chair the subcommittee.

The House panel aims to put military inefficiencies under the microscope, providing oversight for and leading investigations of Pentagon programs.

“This role provides me an opportunity to work across the aisle to ensure the policies and procedures put in place to support of our service members are followed through fully and efficiently,” Tsongas said in a statement. “Combating military sexual assault remains one of my top priorities and I will look to continue the progress we have made toward erasing these unspeakable crimes from our armed forces.”