Organizational Meeting

Committee on Public Works

2025-01-15

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Transportation Infrastructure Committee convened its first hearing of the 119th Congress to adopt new committee rules and advance a bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill. The hearing featured testimony from new and returning members of both parties, including governors, mayors, and industry leaders, who emphasized the critical need for infrastructure investment to drive economic growth, improve safety, and address aging transportation systems. Key topics included the impact of historic infrastructure funding from the Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, permitting and regulatory delays, rising construction costs due to inflation, and workforce shortages in construction. Witnesses highlighted the success of local collaborations, the importance of reliable funding, and the need to streamline federal processes to expedite project delivery. The hearing underscored shared priorities for bipartisan progress, with officials calling for maintained or increased funding levels to protect jobs, ensure safety, and support supply chains during emergencies and natural disasters.

Participants

Transcript

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I think we can if you want to do a little tap and say we're about to get started.
Okay, go ahead and get started if everybody wants to take their seats.  I call the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure to order, and I ask unanimous consent that the chairman be authorized to declare recess at any time during today's meeting.  Without objection, that is so ordered.  I now recognize myself for the purposes of an opening statement.  Today, we are meeting to introduce new members of the committee and also to adopt the committee rules.  First, I want to welcome both our new members.   and our returning members on both sides of the aisle.  With 66 members, the Transportation Infrastructure Committee is the largest committee in the House, or in Congress for that matter.  Our returning members know that this is a committee that produces results for the good of the country and for the good of the American people.   In the 118th Congress, our committee delivered on multiple legislative priorities that became law, including bipartisan legislation that reauthorized the Federal Aviation Administration, Water Resources Development Act, and important reforms to the General Services Administration to reduce waste and federal office space utilization.  And I frequently state, and you've heard me say it before, that I don't consider this committee to be a show horse committee.   but I do expect to continue to be a workhorse committee, and I'm honored to serve as the chairman during the 119th Congress.  I intend to continue working with members on both sides of the aisle, with Ranking Member Larson and with the committee's Democrat members.  And while I know that we don't agree on every issue, I'll always be open to working with any one of you.

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