Graves Announces Subcommittee Ranking Members for the 117th Congress

Written and Published by AJOT Staff

Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) today announced the Ranking Members of the panel’s six subcommittees for the 117th Congress.

“I’m grateful for the broad array of talent, proven leadership capabilities, and legislative expertise our Subcommittee ranking members bring to the table,” said Graves. “We’ve got an excellent team of effective returning leaders, as well as two new ranking members to bring new ideas and perspectives to the Committee’s important work. These ranking members are all ready to hit the ground running, and we will work together to ensure a stronger, safer, and more efficient transportation and infrastructure network for our country.”

The following Republican Members have been selected to serve as Subcommittee Ranking Members:

Subcommittee on Aviation:

Rep. Garret Graves (R-LA) ­– Rep. Graves returns as the Subcommittee on Aviation’s Ranking Member. Last Congress, Graves was one of the authors of the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act, legislation signed into law in December to reform and strengthen the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) aircraft certification process. Graves has also served as the top Republican on the House special committee focusing on climate change.

Rep. Garret Graves said, “Aviation systems are an integral part of the ways we travel, consume, or trade, and we need to keep making strides in building the modern infrastructure and air transportation system we deserve. And as the United States rebounds from the pandemic, this role is going to be a major component of the way we operate. Continuing to serve in this role is an opportunity to build on our accomplishments, expand our global influence, and keep positioning Louisiana as an economic powerhouse. I’m looking forward to working with my colleagues on bipartisan solutions to our nation’s transportation infrastructure challenges and that advance America’s priorities.”

Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation:

Rep. Bob Gibbs (R-OH) – Rep. Gibbs will continue to serve as Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. In the 116th Congress, Gibbs was instrumental in ensuring the passage of bipartisan reauthorizations of the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration as part of the National Defense Authorization Act.

Rep. Gibbs said, “It is an honor to continue to serve as Ranking Member of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee. The maritime industry plays a vital role in interstate and international commerce, and the Coast Guard is a critical element of national security. Having grown up on the shores of Lake Erie, I know how important the Great Lakes are in the Coast Guard’s mission. I look forward to working with my colleagues on legislation that will strengthen our nation’s infrastructure network and grow the American economy. I thank Ranking Member Graves for this opportunity to continue this important work to support our Coasties, protect our maritime industry, and create economic opportunities for American workers.”

Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management:

Rep. Dan Webster (R-FL) – Rep. Webster has been selected to serve as the new Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Webster is a senior member of T&I and represents Florida’s 11th Congressional District west of Orlando to the Gulf Coast. Due to Florida’s annual hurricane season, Webster has significant practical and policy experience with federal disaster preparation, mitigation, and recovery programs. He also has been involved in the development, passage, and implementation of various programs and policies to spur economic development in his state and nationally.

Rep. Webster said, “I thank Ranking Member Graves for this opportunity to serve in this capacity. From ensuring the proper management of government facilities to improving emergency management procedures and enacting policies that promote economic development, I’m excited to get to work on behalf of hardworking Americans. I look forward to working with my colleagues to develop and pass legislation that saves taxpayer money, protects communities across the United States, boosts our resilience, and strengthens our economy.”

Subcommittee on Highways and Transit:

Rep. Rodney Davis (R-IL) ­– Rep. Davis served as the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Ranking Member last Congress, and will continue to serve in that position in the 117th. Davis was one of the lead sponsors of T&I Republicans’ surface transportation reauthorization proposal last year, the STARTER Act. Davis also introduced the One Federal Decision Act last year to make the federal permitting and environmental review processes more efficient for major infrastructure projects.

Rep. Davis said, “There’s no question that America’s infrastructure is in desperate need of great investment. That’s why I’m proud to again serve as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. With surface transportation reauthorization coming later this year and other critical infrastructure needs before us, it’s important that both parties in Congress work together to enact long-term, sustainable solutions to America’s infrastructure needs. Doing so will grow our economy, create good-paying jobs, and increase our country’s competitiveness in the global marketplace.”

Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials:

Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) – Rep. Crawford will return as the Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Last Congress, Crawford introduced the Pipeline Safety Improvement Act, and work done in the development of that bipartisan effort contributed to the reauthorization of the Department of Transportation’s pipeline safety program.

Rep. Crawford said, “Our Nation’s railroads and pipelines never faltered during the pandemic, delivering critical supplies across the Nation and keeping the economy afloat. I appreciate Ranking Member Graves’ leadership and look forward to protecting American jobs created by rail and pipelines.”

Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment:

Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) – Rep. Rouzer will serve as the new Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment in the 117th Congress. Rep. Rouzer represents North Carolina’s 7th District, which includes the southeastern coast of the state and the farmland stretching north from it. He has served on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee since coming to Congress in 2014 and has been involved in the development of every Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) since then. The Committee is expected to draft the next WRDA later this Congress, and Rouzer will play a key role in that process.

Rep. Rouzer said, “I am honored and humbled to be named ranking member of this important subcommittee, and I look forward to serving my colleagues in the House as we work to address the many water resource development and infrastructure needs across the country. The government should work for the people — not against them. We must continue to press for reforms to streamline and bring common sense to the forefront at the agencies for which this subcommittee has jurisdiction. This includes bringing greater focus and attention to mitigation efforts that will better protect property, enhance conservation efforts, and save precious taxpayer dollars when natural disasters hit.”