Graves Selected Chairman of T&I Committee

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) will serve as Chairman of the T&I Committee in the 118th Congress.

U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) has been selected to serve as Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee (T&I Committee) in the 118th Congress, the Republican Conference reported Jan. 10. Graves has served as the Committee’s Ranking Republican Member for the last four years.

“When I first came to Congress, I fought hard to serve on the T&I Committee,” Graves said. “It’s now one of the greatest honors of my life to be chosen by my colleagues to chair what I believe is one of the most important and effective committees in Congress. America cannot prosper without a safe and efficient transportation network that meets the economic needs of our diverse states and communities.

“T&I will have a full agenda over the next two years, including oversight of the Administration, its implementation of the massive $1.2 trillion infrastructure law, and its policies that have exacerbated many of the economic crises facing our Nation.

“We also have an important legislative agenda ahead, including looking at packages to help alleviate ongoing energy and supply chain problems.

“One of my highest priorities is a bipartisan, long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation programs. As a professional pilot, I know firsthand just how important a strong U.S. aviation system is in connecting our large, small, and rural communities to each other and the rest of the world.  Aviation is a major sector of our economy, and we must ensure our Nation remains the world’s gold standard in safety and at the forefront of incorporating new technologies into the system.

“I am also looking forward to working across the aisle to develop other key authorizations for our transportation and infrastructure systems, including a pipeline safety bill, a Coast Guard bill, and the next Water Resources Development Act.”

The Railway Supply Institute (RSI) congratulated Graves on being selected as Chairman via a Twitter post: “We’re excited to work with the Committee on important initiatives impacting the rail supply industry.”

“The American Public Transportation Association (APTA), representing an $80 billion industry that directly employs 450,000 people and supports millions of private-sector jobs, congratulates U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO) on being elected by the Republican Conference as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I Committee),” APTA stated in a release.

“Chair Graves was most recently Ranking Member of the T&I Committee and has a deep understanding of how forward-looking investments in infrastructure can fundamentally impact and benefit our communities, economy, and Americans’ daily lives.

“APTA looks forward to continuing to work with Committee leaders to ensure that the promise of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) is realized, and that public transit succeeds in its essential role of providing Americans access to opportunities: work, education, and health care. The bold infrastructure investments of the IIJA will help modernize public transit and passenger rail systems and meet the growing mobility demands of cities and communities large and small.

“APTA and its members look forward to continuing to work with Chair Graves and the Committee to promote transportation investment and champion initiatives that advance public transportation.”