OKLAHOMA CITY (AP) — Rep. Jim Bridenstine has been named the vice chairman of the U.S. House Subcommittee on Technology.

The panel is a subcommittee of the House Committee on Science, Space and Technology. The full committee considers issues including energy research, astronautical research; environmental research; NASA; the National Science Foundation; and the National Weather Service.

Bridenstine — a Republican — was elected to the House in November by defeating Democrat John Olson and independent Craig Allen. Bridenstine had upset five-term incumbent Republican Rep. John Sullivan in the June primary.