U.S. Rep. Tom Graves has won a spot on the House Appropriations Committee when Congress returns in January.
The powerful panel oversees billions of dollars in federal spending.

Graves said he would use the post to flex his credentials as a fiscal conservative.

He said he was "prepared to take on the challenge of cutting spending and reforming the appropriations process."
He said Republican wins in November show Americans want to rein in spending.

The north Georgia Republican was elected to fill the seat held by Nathan Deal, now Georgia's governor elect.

Tags: Georgia, Congress, Representative Tom Graves, House Appropriations Committee