The following is the text of a press release issued by U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall, D-W.V.:
(WASHINGTON) — House Natural Resources Committee Chairman Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) today was selected by the House Democratic Caucus to serve as the Ranking Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for the 112th Congress, beginning in January.
Rahall, currently Vice Chairman, has been a Member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee for 34 years – his entire tenure in Congress.
“I am incredibly proud and humbled by the trust of my colleagues who nominated me to serve as the top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee next year. I understand the enormous challenges facing our Nation’s crumbling infrastructure and the major investments that will be needed to get Americans back to work,†said Rahall. “Transportation investments mean jobs – jobs today and jobs in the future – by keeping America’s economy moving throughout the 21st Century.â€
The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has broad jurisdiction over the Nation’s highways, railways, airports, seaports, bus lines, and pipelines, as well as the Economic Development Administration, Appalachian Regional Commission, Coast Guard, Army Corps of Engineers, Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA), and other crucial economic development programs.
“Through my leadership on the Transportation Committee, I will be in the front seat next year as we pass important legislation to rebuild America and create good paying jobs here at home,†said Rahall. “The Transportation Committee has a long and proud history of bipartisanship and it is in that spirit that I look forward to working with Chairman-elect John Mica and Members of the Committee from all political stripes to pass legislation needed to get America’s economy back on track.â€
Rahall has worked diligently over the past three decades to provide Federal support to build better highways, modern bridges, water and sewer systems, flood control projects, broadband infrastructure, and to keep airports up and running throughout southern West Virginia.
