Transportation and Infrastructure Committee also Approves Rules & Oversight Plan

Washington, DC – The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today held its organizational meeting for the 115th Congress, approved the Committee rules and the Committee authorization and oversight plan, and confirmed subcommittee rosters.

“Thanks to the hard work of our Members, our committee has built a record of success over the last four years moving large, complex pieces of legislation to improve our transportation networks and our infrastructure,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). “This Congress, we have more work to do, and a golden opportunity to build a 21st century infrastructure for America. I look forward to working with Ranking Member DeFazio, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Vice Chairman Duncan, Committee Vice Ranking Member Esty, our subcommittee leaders, and all of our Members to continue improving our infrastructure and ensuring America’s competitiveness.”

“Transportation is not a partisan issue, it’s about moving people and goods more efficiently in this country and connecting us to the world,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR). “Our communities and citizens rely on safe and efficient roads, rails, ports, planes, and public transit systems every day. Yet nearly one in four bridges in the United States is structurally deficient or functionally obsolete, 65 percent of our Nation’s roads are in less than good condition, our rail and bus transit systems are facing a $90 billion backlog, and full channels at the Nation’s 59 busiest ports are available less than 35 percent of the time. In the coming Congress, I plan to work with Chairman Shuster and President Trump to find common ground and bipartisan solutions that address the growing transportation infrastructure backlog without adding to the deficit.”

“I look forward to continuing this Committee’s tradition of working across the aisle to produce infrastructure legislation which makes our economy competitive on a global stage and creates jobs for Americans here at home,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Vice Chairman John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN).

“Rebuilding America’s infrastructure is an economic and national security imperative,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Vice Ranking Member Elizabeth Esty (D-CT). “Both Democrats and Republicans, including President Trump, have identified our Committee’s work as an area for bipartisan cooperation. I’m excited to work with Chairman Shuster, Ranking Member DeFazio, Vice Chairman Duncan, and all my colleagues on the Committee to advance smart, bold policies that will make America’s transportation systems the envy of the world.”

Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members were announced previously. Today, the Committee also confirmed the appointments of the following six subcommittee vice chairs:

• Subcommittee on Aviation: U.S. Rep. Paul Mitchell (R-MI)
• Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation: U.S. Rep. Jason Lewis (R-MN)
• Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management: U.S. Rep. Drew Ferguson (R-GA)
• Subcommittee on Highways and Transit: Lloyd Smucker (R-PA)
• Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials: U.S. Rep. John Faso (R-NY)
• Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment: U.S. Rep. Brian Mast (R-FL)

More information from today’s organizational meeting, including subcommittee assignments, the Committee rules, and the Committee authorization and oversight plan, can be found here.