Full Committee Markup (January 22, 2025)

Committee on Public Works

2025-01-22

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

This meeting of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure was held to finalize organizational business for the 119th Congress, including the adoption of amended rules, and the approval of subcommittee chairs, ranking members, and member assignments . The proceedings were aimed at preparing the subcommittees for their legislative agenda and fostering deeper engagement on committee issues .

Themes

Adoption of Amended Committee Rules

The committee adopted an amended version of its rules for the 119th Congress . The amendment primarily involved an adjustment to the member ratio on the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit, adding three additional slots for both majority and minority members to better accommodate preferences . Both Chair Graves (Kristen Lee McDonald Rivet) and Ranking Member Larsen (Rick Larsen) expressed gratitude for the collaborative coordination on this change . The amended rules were adopted without objection .

Approval of Subcommittee Chairs and Ranking Members

The committee approved the chairs and ranking members for its six subcommittees . New chairs include Representative Troy Nels for Aviation, Representative Mike Giselle for Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Representative David Rausser for Highways and Transit, Representative Daniel Webster for Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, and Representative Mike Collins for Water Resources and Environment . Representative Scott Perry continues to chair the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management [ 00:15:23 ]

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. Representative Rick Crawford was named the committee's Vice Chairman . Ranking Member Larsen announced the Democratic caucus's elected ranking members: Representative Steve Cohen for Aviation, Representative Salud Carbajal for Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Representative Greg Stanton for Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, Congresswoman Eleanor Holmes Norton for Highways and Transit, Representative Dina Titus for Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, and Representative Frederica Wilson for Water Resources and Environment . Representative Amelia Sykes was also elected as Vice Ranking Member . All leadership appointments were approved .

Approval of Subcommittee Assignments

The final item of business was the approval of subcommittee assignments for all members . Chair Graves (Kristen Lee McDonald Rivet) thanked Ranking Member Larsen (Rick Larsen) for their collaboration in determining the subcommittee ratios . Graves emphasized the value of the diverse backgrounds and perspectives among committee members, including truckers, pilots, farmers, small business owners, and former legislators, which will be crucial for tackling the committee's agenda . Ranking Member Larsen noted that the Democratic members had selected their assignments, which were reflected in the presented roster . The subcommittee assignments were subsequently approved without objection .

Tone of the Meeting

The meeting maintained a formal, respectful, and cooperative tone throughout [ 00:12:55 ] . Discussions were brief and to the point, with a clear focus on the procedural aspects of organizing the committee for the 119th Congress . There was a strong sense of bipartisan collaboration, particularly evident in the Chair and Ranking Member's mutual appreciation for working together on rule adjustments and assignments [ 00:12:55 ] . All motions were passed unanimously, indicating broad agreement and a smooth organizational process . Speakers also conveyed excitement and anticipation for the important legislative work ahead .

Participants

Transcript

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I'll call the committee to you on transportation infrastructure to order, and I'd 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.
So today we are meeting to amend the committee rules due to changes in the subcommittee ratios.  We're going to appoint subcommittee chairman and ranking members and appoint members to their respective subcommittees.  Last week, the committee met to organize at the full committee level
And this week, we'll conclude our organizational business by appointing members to each of our six subcommittees.  Each subcommittee allows our members to dig deeper on issues within our committee's jurisdiction.
The work on the subcommittee level informs the full committee activities that we will pursue.
K
And I look forward to working with each subcommittee as we pursue our aggressive legislative agenda for this Congress.
Our first order of business is the adoption of an amended version of the rules for the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 119th Congress.
K
A copy of the amended committee rules together with a summary of the changes to the rules were distributed both electronically and in advance are also available in the hearing room.
The amended rules we are considering today simply reflect an adjustment to the member ratio on the subcommittee on highways and transit.
K
In order to better accommodate the preferences of members on both sides of the dice, three additional slots were given to both majority and minority.
We're able to coordinate these changes with Ranking Member Larson, and I do appreciate him and his staff on this adjustment, on working with us on this adjustment.  I now recognize Mr. Larson for a statement on the amended rules.
Thank you, Chair Graves.  The amended rules we are considering today increase the number of slots for the highways and transit subcommittee.  This accounts for the increased member interest in the subcommittee for this Congress.  I want to thank the Chair and his staff for coordinating with us on this change.  And with that, I yield back.
K
Do any members wish to be recognized for a statement on the committee?   amended rules.
Seeing no one, is there further discussion on the committee's amended rules?  Seeing none, the amended rules are open for amendment at any point.
K
Are there any amendments to the committee's amended rules?  Seeing none, I recognize Mr. Larson for a motion.

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