U.S. Rep. Chellie Pingree will serve on a House committee that plays a key role in influencing legislation, her office announced today.

The Committee on Rules, which sets the conditions for debate and amendment of virtually every bill considered by the House, is a seat not normally given to freshman legislators.

Pingree, a Democrat from Maine's 1st Congressional District, is only the fourth Maine congressman and the first in 80 years to hold a seat on the committee.

She was named to the committee by House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, who cited Pingree's record of leadership and bipartisanship in the Maine Senate, according to a statement from Pingree's office.

Pingree also secured a seat last week on the House Armed Services Committee.

Copyright 2008 Portland Press Herald/Maine Sunday Telegram. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.