PLATTSBURGH — New Congressman William Owens has been named to the House Armed Services Committee and the House Committee on Homeland Security.

The two posts are key for Owens, whose 23rd District includes Fort Drum, a major Army post near Watertown in the western part of the district, and a massive stretch of border between the United States and Canada.

Owens said he will do everything in his power to maintain and strengthen Fort Drum.

“As a member of Congress and as a member of the Armed Services Committee, I will fight tirelessly for the base, the surrounding community and for our entire district, all of whom benefit from Fort Drum’s presence,” Owens said Thursday.

“Obviously, Fort Drum is very important for our security and for the economy of the Watertown area.”

The Armed Services Committee is responsible for funding and oversight over the Department of Defense, as well as various branches of the military.

The committee is also responsible for funding military installations.

Former Congressman John McHugh was the ranking Republican on the Armed Services Committee when he was chosen by President Barack Obama to become the new secretary of the Army on June 2.

RECOUNT STILL ON

McHugh was confirmed by the Senate in early September, setting up a special election for his 23rd District seat.

Owens, an attorney and a Democrat from Plattsburgh, won that election Nov. 3, defeating Conservative Party candidate Douglas Hoffman, an accounting-firm owner from Lake Placid.

Republican Dierdre “Dede” Scozzafava dropped out of the race three days before the election after lagging in the polls.

She eventually endorsed Owens.

Hoffman conceded the race on Election Night after seemingly being down by about 5,000 votes, but he has rescinded that concession since, as absentee-ballot-counting has narrowed the gap to below 3,000 votes. Odds remain long that Hoffman can win the race.