In a rare occurrence for a congressional freshman, U.S. Rep. Matt Cartwright, D-17, was elected to serve as the ranking member of a subcommittee.

Cartwright will be the top Democrat on the Economic Growth, Job Creation and Regulatory Affairs Subcommittee, which is part of the larger House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform.

According to a press release from Cartwright's office, the subcommittee has oversight jurisdiction over regulatory affairs, impediments to economic growth and job creation, monetary policy, banking, infrastructure and tax policy. It also has legislative jurisdiction over federal paperwork reduction, data quality, and the Office of Information and Regulatory Affairs.

"I am honored, as a freshman, to serve as the ranking member of a subcommittee with such a critical jurisdiction," Cartwright said.

"Accelerating our economic recovery and increasing the rate new jobs are added to the economy should be Congress' top focus, and it is my highest priority for the 17th District. I intend to be a loud voice in Congress economic expansion and jobs in all of the communities I represent."