Washington ? Newly elected Kansas Rep. Nancy Boyda was tapped Tuesday to serve on the House Armed Services Committee.

“It was my very first choice and something I’ve been advocating for since I got there,” Boyda said.

During her campaign, Boyda repeatedly called on the United States to establish a realistic plan for withdrawing from Iraq. Boyda, a Democrat, said she is eager to be part of the process to find “where are we going in Iraq and what’s the way forward there.”

Boyda, of Topeka, defeated Republican Rep. Jim Ryun in the midterm elections Nov. 7. Ryun also is a member of the Armed Services Committee.

She said being on the committee also would help her make sure last year’s federal military base realignment process is fully funded. The process affects each of the three military bases in her district: Fort Riley, Fort Leavenworth and Forbes Field, near Topeka.

Boyda said she would work to make sure funds are available to improve military housing and other infrastructure needs at Fort Riley.

Boyda has requested a spot on two other panels, the House Agriculture and Veterans’ Affairs committees. Those assignments may not be known for several more weeks.