Transport Topics
Senior Policymakers Lead Transportation Committees
By Eugene Mulero
The rosters for key committees with jurisdiction over transportation policy affairs include senior lawmakers.
For the 118th Congress, members of the transportation funding panel in the Senate are Democratic Sens. Dick Durbin of Illinois, Dianne Feinstein of California and Jack Reed of Rhode Island. For Republicans, the membership consists of Sens. Susan Collins of Maine, John Boozman of Arkansas, Shelley Moore Capito of West Virginia and Lindsey Graham of South Carolina.
The panel’s leaders will be Chairman Brian Schatz (D-Hawaii) and ranking member Cindy Hyde-Smith (R-Miss.).
The House transportation funding panel, which will be led by Rep. Tom Cole (R-Okla.), includes Republican Reps. Mario Diaz-Balart of Florida, Steve Womack of Arkansas, John Rutherford of Florida, Tony Gonzales of Texas and David Valadao of California.
“Serving on both the budget and appropriations committees gives the Central Valley a seat at the table in determining how your tax dollars are spent — a responsibility I do not take lightly,” said Valadao, also a member of the Budget Committee. “I look forward to working in the Republican majority to return to regular order and get our fiscal house in order.”
For Democrats governing in the minority, Rep. Mike Quigley of Illinois will fill the ranking member role. Other Democrats include Reps. Bonnie Watson Coleman of New Jersey, Norma Torres and Pete Aguilar of California and Adriano Espaillat of New York.
“Over the past two years, we made great strides to reverse decades of underinvestment and lower the cost of living for working families, create better-paying jobs, help communities most in need, and keep our nation and communities safe,” said House Appropriations Committee ranking member Rep. Rosa DeLauro (D-Conn.) last month. “We will do everything we can to ensure the great strides we made together are not eroded.”
The appropriations panels are essential in advancing funds for transportation programs and operations.
On the trucking policy panel, the Senate Surface Transportation, Maritime, Freight and Ports Subcommittee will be led by Chairman Gary Peters (D-Mich.). Other Democrats include Sens. Ed Markey of Massachusetts, Tammy Baldwin of Wisconsin, Tammy Duckworth of Illinois and Raphael Warnock of Georgia.
“From protecting the Great Lakes from a catastrophic oil spill to ensuring there is a federal framework to safely develop, test and deploy advanced vehicle technologies that will drive the future of mobility, I look forward to continue working on issues important to Michigan and to our economic competitiveness,” Peters said this month.
For Republicans, Sen. Todd Young of Indiana will serve as ranking member. GOP members include Sens. John Thune of South Dakota, Roger Wicker of Mississippi, Deb Fischer of Nebraska and Eric Schmitt of Missouri.
On the House side, Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) will lead the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, Rep. Garret Graves (R-La.) was selected to chair the Aviation Subcommittee, Rep. Daniel Webster (R-Fla.) will oversee the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Rep. Troy Nehls (R-Texas) is managing the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) is leading the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee and Rep. Scott Perry (R-Pa.) is chairing the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee.
For Democrats, Rep. Steve Cohen of Tennessee will be the ranking member on the Aviation Subcommittee, Rep. Salud Carbajal of California will be the ranking member on the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Rep. Dina Titus of Nevada will be the ranking member on the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee, Del. Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-D.C.) will be the ranking member on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee, Rep. Donald Payne Jr. (D-N.J.) will be the ranking member on the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, and Rep. Grace Napolitano of California will be the ranking member on the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.
“I look forward to continuing to work collaboratively with Chairman David Rouzer, who has been a great partner on this subcommittee in supporting the water quality, flood control and navigation needs of local communities across the country,” Napolitano said this month.