Rep. Jared Huffman Announces New Roles in 114th Congress: Named to House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Assistant Whip

January 09, 2015

WASHINGTON­—Congressman Jared Huffman (D-San Rafael)  was named to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure  today, which holds jurisdiction over the Army Corps of Engineers, the Coast Guard, Department of Transportation, the nation’s roads, bridges, highways, ferries, inland waterways, pipelines, improvement of rivers and harbors.

Huffman was also chosen by Democratic Steny Hoyer (D-MD) as a Democratic Assistant Whip. The Assistant Whip team is composed of leaders in the Democratic Caucus who work with the Democratic Whip to build unity among House Democrats. Assistant Whips are responsible for informing their fellow Democratic members about upcoming legislation that will be considered in the House.

“I am grateful to be named to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and thank House Leadership for placing this trust in me. I look forward to bringing fresh ideas to the table to ensure Congress invests in critically-needed updates to transportation infrastructure on the North Coast and throughout the nation.

“California’s 2nd Congressional District contains a diverse swath of transportation infrastructure needs, including Highway 101, an artery throughout our great state, along with many small harbors and waterways. In the post-earmark era, a position on an authorizing committee is one of the most important ways of changing policy to help local districts. Joining the committee will better allow me to work on issues critical to our district, from ensuring small harbors and waterways receive their dredging needs, to fighting for increased funding for public transportation, smart flood management programs, and Army Corps projects.

“The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure is one of the most important committees in our fight against climate change, which I believe is the greatest imperative of our time.  I will use my position on the committee to fight for bills that reduce greenhouse gas emissions and help climate change mitigation.

“Finally, I am glad to join the leadership team as an Assistant Whip. I am looking forward to helping our party advance Democratic priorities and common-sense solutions facing Americans—all while fighting back against misguided bills, like today’s vote by House Republicans to approve the Keystone XL pipeline.”

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure’s jurisdiction includes:

  • Coast Guard, including lifesaving service, lighthouses, lightships, ocean derelicts, and the Coast Guard Academy;
  • Federal management of emergencies and natural disasters;
  • Flood control and improvement of rivers and harbors;
  • Inland waterways;
  • Inspection of merchant marine vessels, lights and signals, lifesaving equipment, and fire protection on such vessels;
  • Navigation and laws relating thereto, including pilotage;
  • Registering and licensing of vessels and small boats;
  • Rules and international arrangements to prevent collisions at sea;
  • The Capitol Building, the Senate and House Office Buildings;
  • Constructions or maintenance of roads and post roads (other than appropriations therefore);
  • Construction or reconstruction, maintenance, and care of buildings and grounds of the Botanic Garden, the Library of Congress, and the Smithsonian Institution;
  • Merchant marine (except for national security aspects thereof);
  • Purchase of sites and construction of post offices, customhouses, Federal courthouses, and Government buildings within the District of Columbia;
  • Oil and other pollution of navigable waters, including inland, costal, and ocean waters
  • Marine affairs, including coastal zone management, as they relate to oil and other pollution of navigable waters;
  • Public buildings and occupied or improved grounds of the United States generally
  • Public works for the benefit of the benefit of navigation, including bridges and dams (other than international bridges and dams);
  • Related transportation regulatory agencies (except the Transportation Security Administration);
  • Roads and the safety thereof;
  • Transportation, including civil aviation, railroads, water transportation, transportation safety (except automobile safety and transportation security functions of the Department of Homeland Security), transportation infrastructure, transportation labor, and railroad retirement and unemployment (except revenue measures related thereto); and
  • Water power.

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