On Tuesday, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright gained his top position to date, a seat on the powerful House Appropriations Committee, the panel that makes annual spending decisions for all federal agencies and is considered one of the most powerful committees in Congress.

The appointment is likely to go a long way toward the congressman bringing federal dollars to Northeastern Pennsylvania, his influence on Appropriations being perceived as a huge benefit to this region.Cartwright said Tuesday hewas named unanimously to the post, effective immediately. Cartwright said he and seven of his colleagues had been seeking the position.“As soon as I got to Washington, I set about the business of making friends,” Cartwright told the Times Leader newspaper, Wilkes-Barre. “And the best way to make friends is to be a friend.”Cartwright, a prominent Lackawanna County attorney, took office in January 2013, representing all of Schuylkill County and parts of Carbon, Monroe, Northampton, Luzerne and Lackawanna counties in the newly aligned 17th District, succeeding Rep. Tim Holden, who held that seat for 20 years before being defeated by Cartwright in the primary election of 2012 after congressional redistricting took place.Cartwright made an immediate impression on his colleagues in D.C., initially being named head of the freshmen delegation, then being elected regional whip by his Democratic colleagues representing Pennsylvania, Ohio, West Virginia and Kentucky. In a rare occurrence, he later was elected to serve as the ranking member of the Subcommittee on the Economic Growth, Job Creation and the Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee for the 113th Congress.The lawmaker said he is grateful to the Pennsylvania delegation for supporting him, especially U.S. Rep. Bob Brady of Philadelphia and U.S. Rep. Michael Doyle of Pittsburgh.Northeastern Pennsylvania has had representation on the Appropriations Committee over the years, most significantly when U.S. Rep. Dan Flood, D-Wilkes-Barre, and U.S. Rep. Joe McDade, R-Scranton, served for a total of nearly 50 years. Collectively, they played significant roles in bringing millions of dollars to the commonwealth and the east.“The big priority will be bringing federal dollars back to northeastern Pennsylvania,” Cartwright said. “I want to assure that we at least get our fair share in our neck of the woods.”Cartwright said he will be in a favorable position to assure that federal dollars and contracts remain for places like Tobyhanna Army Depot, General Dynamics, Medico Industries and Lockheed-Martin, which employ thousands of people in the region.“I intend to work hard to get new federal dollars back to the area,” Cartwright said. “For every one dollar that comes in, it becomes four dollars for the economy and that means more jobs.”Reaction to Cartwright’s appointment was loud and clear from ranking Democrats in the House.“I welcome Matt Cartwright as the newest member of the House Appropriations Committee,” said Congresswoman Nita Lowey, D-NY, Ranking Democrat on the House Appropriations Committee. “Congressman Cartwright has been a vocal and effective leader on behalf of Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District. I look forward to his joining Appropriations Democrats as we work to invest in hardworking American families, create more good-paying jobs, and build a stronger America.”Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi said, “Matt Cartwright has consistently proven himself to be a forceful and effective champion for America’s hardworking families. Congressman Cartwright’s tireless leadership has been invaluable to House Democrats’ effort to build a stronger America for all Americans. In his new role on the Appropriations Committee, Matt Cartwright will be a powerful voice for a budget that invests in America, creates more good-paying jobs, and strengthens hardworking families.”Cartwright said the appointment gives him an opportunity to relay messages he has received from officials throughout the six counties in his district.He said, “Municipal officials, regional planners, business managers, nonprofit directors, and constituents in the 17th congressional district are not shy about letting me know what’s important to them, and I intend to make those concerns and desires my top appropriations priorities.“To me, this appointment is an opportunity to be even more responsive to the needs of the six counties I represent, and to help them grow and thrive, even as budgets are tight.”The congressman said his efforts will be focused on directing spending to have a “tremendous effect on the lives of seniors, veterans, children, students, commuters, federal workers, federal contractors, and military service personnel.”