The U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will have a distinctly Florida flavor when the new Congress convenes in January.
Last week, U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster, R-Pa., announced that incoming U.S. Rep. Carlos Curbelo, R-Fla., will be one of 12 new Republicans sitting on the committee.
“I am pleased to welcome these new Republican additions to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 114th Congress,” Shuster said on Thursday. “The committee will have a full agenda next year, including reauthorizations of federal surface transportation, aviation, and passenger rail programs. The added perspectives and ideas of our new members will be an asset to our experienced team as we continue developing legislation that strengthens our infrastructure and makes America more competitive.”
Two other Republicans in the Florida delegation — U.S. Rep. John Mica, who once chaired the committee, and U.S. Rep. Dan Webster — will be returning to the committee.
For his part, Webster said he was happy to return to the committee.
“I am pleased to accept this reappointment and look forward to working with Chair Bill Shuster and my committee colleagues to further our nation’s economic growth and opportunity,” Webster said. “The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has another busy term ahead, with planned legislation focusing on creating jobs, ensuring safety, and expanding access.”
Webster insisted the committee would be wrestling with major issues in the months to come, including “long-term surface transportation authorization, which will provide much-needed certainty to Florida’s economy that depends on a vibrant transportation system” and “FAA reauthorization to ensure that Central Florida remains a hub for domestic and international tourism travel.”
The Central Florida Republican also said passenger rail, Everglades restoration and readying for the Panama Canal expansion would also be part of the committee’s focus.
“While the 113th Congress made progress on several critical federal transportation and infrastructure fronts, I am looking forward to working on behalf of Central Florida to build on these successes and pave the way for future growth and opportunity in our region,” Webster said. Shuster praised Webster, insisting he was a strong member of the committee.
“With his engineering background and extensive experience with transportation policy issues in the Florida state Legislature, Rep. Webster has proven a valuable addition to the work of our committee,” Shuster said. “He’s a determined advocate for Florida, but also good public policy, and I am glad to have him back as we continue developing legislation that strengthens our infrastructure and makes America more competitive.”
On the Democratic side, there are two congresswomen from Florida — U.S. Rep. Corrine Brown and U.S. Rep. Lois Frankel — sitting on the committee. Curbelo will replace U.S. Rep. Steve Southerland, R-Fla., who lost his bid for a third term to Democrat Gwen Graham in November, on the committee.
Reach Kevin Derby at kderby@sunshinestatenews.com or follow him on Twitter: @KevinDerbySSN
Florida rides tall on House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
