Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the election of Members to serve as Chair for each of the Committee’s six subcommittees in the 116th Congress.
“These are six dedicated, highly experienced, diverse Members of Congress who will provide each subcommittee with the leadership it needs,” said Chairman Peter DeFazio. “The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan way to get things done for the American people, and each Subcommittee Chair is ready to continue that legacy.”
Subcommittee on Aviation:
Congressman Rick Larsen (WA-02), who has been on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since assuming office in 2001, will lead the Subcommittee on Aviation after serving as its Ranking Member for the last six years. Rep. Larsen worked diligently last Congress to pass the bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration Reauthorization Act of 2018, the first long-term FAA reauthorization bill since 2012.
“With the passage of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Reauthorization Act of 2018, the Aviation Subcommittee will not only focus on overseeing the implementation of the bill, but we also have an exciting opportunity to explore new issues. With safety as our guiding principle, I would like to explore not only what is possible and on the horizon in aviation, but what is needed to ensure the United States keeps innovating and remains globally competitive.
As Aviation Subcommittee Chair, I am committed to strengthening aviation safety by responding to safety incidents and regulatory gaps in the FAA’s oversight of the U.S. aviation industry; investing in the future of aviation through fostering technological innovation by advancing the safe and efficient integration of new users; improving U.S. competitiveness through robust federal investment in aviation and airport infrastructure, supporting U.S. manufacturers and increasing and developing our aviation workforce; and enhancing consumer protections for passengers,” said Congressman Rick Larsen. “I look forward to working with Rep. Garret Graves who will serve as Ranking Member, and the Members of the Subcommittee. I am confident we will continue the Subcommittee’s spirit of bipartisanship.”
Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation:
Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney (NY-18) has been an active member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since assuming office in 2013. He will continue his leadership through ensuring the U.S. Coast Guard has the resources and assets necessary to accomplish its missions, as well as defending U.S. maritime interests from unfair competition through protection of the Jones Act.
“It’s an honor to be elected as the next Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation,” said Congressman Sean Patrick Maloney. “The men and women of the Coast Guard protect our waterways and prevent drugs from reaching our shores. I’m committed to ensuring Coast Guard personnel receive the tools and resources they need to get the job done – and that includes paying them for their work. We have to end this shutdown and restore their funding immediately.”
Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management:
Congresswoman Dina Titus (NV-01), enters into her second term as a leader on the Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Subcommittee. Last Congress, as Ranking Member, Rep. Titus worked to get the Disaster Recovery Reform Act signed into law. This legislation helps communities across the country better prepare for, respond to, recover from, and mitigate against disasters of all kinds.
“I am honored that my colleagues elected me to serve as chair of this vital subcommittee with authority over issues of great importance for Nevada and the nation,” said Congresswoman Dina Titus. “From helping Nevada’s communities better respond to natural disasters and addressing the devastating impacts of climate change, to fighting for infrastructure projects that will benefit our most vulnerable neighbors, I am ready to get to work. Of course, I will try to get the answers the American people deserve by conducting oversight of Donald Trump’s attempts to prevent the relocation of the F.B.I headquarters and to profit from his presidency at his D.C. hotel.”
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit:
Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), having served as Ranking Member of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee since 2013, will continue her tenure in leading the committee in increasing investment in our Nation’s crumbling highways, bridges and transit systems to reduce the maintenance backlog and meet new needs. She will also focus on mobility on demand, access to jobs, resiliency and greenhouse gas emission reductions.
“I am grateful to my colleagues for electing me as Chair of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, and I am anxious to get to work on rebuilding our nation’s roads, bridges and transit systems to protect our national investments and create good-paying jobs,” said Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton. “The 116th Congress affords a prime opportunity to rescue our infrastructure, which is critical to America’s leadership in the world.”
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials:
Congressman Daniel Lipinski (IL-03) has been a member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since 2007 and will lead the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee as it tackles reauthorizing pipeline safety legislation, improving rail infrastructure, rail safety programs, and hazardous materials safety programs as part of the FAST Act Reauthorization.
“I'm honored to have been entrusted with the gavel as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. I appreciate the support and faith that Chairman DeFazio and other members of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee place in me to assume this critical role. I look forward to working with Chairman DeFazio on a robust infrastructure package and a long-term reauthorization of surface transportation programs. In the subcommittee, safety will be my number one priority, including focusing on implementation of Positive Train Control, assuring that pipeline safety regulations are carried out, and reducing threats at grade crossings. Legislation we hope to move includes reauthorizations of the Passenger Rail Investment and Improvement Act/Amtrak, the Rail Safety Improvement Act, the PIPES Act pipeline safety regulations, and the Hazardous Materials title of the FAST Act,” said Congressman Daniel Lipinski.
Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment:
Congresswoman Grace Napolitano (CA-32) has served as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment since 2014, and enters her 12th year with the full Committee. Last Congress, Rep. Napolitano championed the passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2018, and pressed for legislation to help communities address their local water quality challenges, including reauthorization of federal grants for wastewater and stormwater projects, and legislation to promote integrated clean water planning.
“To ensure the availability of clean, safe, and affordable water and wastewater services for our families and businesses, and to support additional U.S. job creation, we must increase federal investment in our water infrastructure and drought resiliency measures,” said Congresswoman Grace F. Napolitano (CA-32) “We look forward to building on the recent successes of enacting a bipartisan Water Resources Development Act every two years, and we will continue to fight for robust implementation of existing environmental laws, such as the Clean Water Act. I am very pleased to have been entrusted to lead our subcommittee’s efforts in these pursuits, and I pledge to work with all of my colleagues to address the most pressing water infrastructure needs of our communities.”
Vice Chair of the Full Committee:
Congressman Salud Carbajal (CA-24) will serve as Vice Chair of the Committee, a position reserved for active members who have been in Congress for less than 5 years.
"Through my decades of service in local government I've personally dealt with the challenges that communities are facing when it comes to investing in our badly deteriorating roads, bridges, oil and gas pipelines, and broadband infrastructure," said Congressman Salud Carbajal. "Congress can no longer afford to ignore our failing infrastructure that Americans rely on each day. I'm ready to hit the ground running with Chairman DeFazio and Members of the committee to help put Americans back to work by securing robust investments in our nation's crumbling infrastructure and to ensure the long-term solvency of our Highway Trust Fund."
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