U.S. Rep. Mike Lawler will serve as chairman of the House Middle East and North Africa Subcommittee, the House Foreign Affairs Committee announced Thursday.

The panel has jurisdiction over the Middle East and North Africa regions and has oversight responsibilities over activities in the State Department.

“It is a great honor to receive the gavel of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa,” Lawler, a Republican, said in a statement. “Over my first term, I worked to strengthen the United States’ relationship with Israel, our closest ally, stand up to Iranian aggression and proxies in the Middle East, and reduce Chinese influence in the Middle East and North Africa. I look forward to continuing that important work as Chairman of the Subcommittee on the Middle East and North Africa.”

The House Foreign Affairs Committee has jurisdiction over several diplomatic and national security issues, including foreign assistance and national security developments.

“Mike Lawler understands with tremendous clarity the challenges and opportunities facing America, and our greatest ally Israel in the Middle East,” said House Foreign Affairs Chairman Brian Mast in a statement. 

Lawler represents New York's 17th Congressional District, which is made up of Westchester, Rockland, Putnam and southern Dutchess counties.