U.S. Rep. Sam Graves (R-MO-6) will serve as the chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House of Representatives in the 118th Congress. Rep. Graves, who was first elected to Congress in 2000, has served as the committee’s Ranking Republican Member for the past four years.
“When I first came to Congress, I fought hard to serve on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. 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,” said Rep. Graves.
He noted priorities for the committee will be oversight of the implementation of the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA) and looking at legislative packages to alleviate energy and supply chain challenges. Rep. Graves says one of his highest priorities will be long-term reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration and aviation programs.
U.S. Rep. Rick Larsen (D-WA-02) will serve as Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and offered congratulatory remarks to Rep. Graves.
“Sam Graves and I came to Congress in the same class 22 years ago, and now I offer my congratulations to him on becoming the 20th chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” Rep. Larsen said. “From reauthorization of the Federal Aviation Administration, the Coast Guard and pipeline safety programs, to another Water Resources Development Act and implementation of the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, we have a lot of work to do to keep the economy moving and to build a safer and more accessible transportation system. Sam has a well-deserved reputation for serious policy-making and good faith bipartisanship, and I look forward to a fruitful partnership in the 118th Congress.”
The American Public Transportation Association (APTA) noted Rep. Graves’s time serving as Ranking Republican Member on the committee gave him “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 the promise of the IIJA is realized, and 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,” the association send. “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.”
