Bustos Expands Role on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Is Named to Four Key Subcommittees

Press Release

Today, Congresswoman Cheri Bustos (IL-17) announced that she has expanded her role on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. In the 115th Congress, Bustos will take a new seat on Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials as well as the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. Bustos will also continue serving on the Subcommittee for Aviation and the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit.

Congresswoman Bustos' expanded portfolio on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will help her continue fighting for job-creating investments in Illinois' infrastructure.

"By investing in our network of roads, bridges, rail lines, airports and in our water infrastructure, we'll create more good-paying jobs and improve the economic outlook of working families in our region," Congresswoman Bustos said. "Last Congress, I was proud to fight for and pass a long-term Highway Bill that will authorize more than $7 billion to rebuild Illinois' roads and bridges, and pressured Governor Rauner to accept federal funding for a job-creating Quad-City to Chicago passenger rail project. With these new subcommittee assignments, I will continue to be a strong advocate for our region's transportation priorities and work tirelessly to craft a national infrastructure strategy that helps both Illinois and America maintain its competitive edge."

"Whether it was fighting to pass a long-term Highway Bill or working to strengthen our water infrastructure, Congresswoman Bustos has always been a strong voice for Illinois on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee," said Congressman Peter DeFazio, Ranking Democratic Member on the Committee. "By taking on two additional subcommittee assignments, Congresswoman Bustos is demonstrating her commitment to investing in our infrastructure and creating good-paying jobs across the country. I look forward to working with her on our shared priorities on the Committee."

Background:

The Aviation Subcommittee has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, including safety, infrastructure, labor, commerce and international issues. All programs of the Federal Aviation Administration, except for research activities, are within the purview of the Subcommittee. Just in this past term, Congresswoman Bustos was able to help secure more than $6.7 million in federal funding for Quad City International Airport; nearly $6 million for General Wayne A. Downing Peoria International Airport; and nearly $16 million for Chicago Rockford International Airport.

The Highways and Transit Subcommittee has responsibility for the development of national surface transportation policy, construction and improvement of highway and transit facilities, implementation of safety and research programs and regulation of commercial motor vehicle operations. It also has jurisdiction over many U.S. Department of Transportation programs. As a member of this Subcommittee last Congress, Congresswoman Bustos played a leading role in passing a bipartisan long-term Highway Bill that will authorize more than $7 billion for projects in the State of Illinois.

The Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads and the agencies that administer those regulations. That includes Amtrak, the Surface Transportation Board, the Federal Railroad Administration and many others. Last year, after months of pressuring the Rauner administration to accept a $177 million job-creating federal investment in our state, Congresswoman Bustos announced an agreement between the Illinois Department of Transportation and the Federal Railroad Administration to finally move forward on Quad-City to Chicago passenger rail. She was also very active in supporting Galena and the surrounding communities after a derailment in 2015 and fought to include increased rail safety funding in the year end budget.

The Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee has jurisdiction over issues relating to water resources development, conservation and management, water pollution control, water infrastructure and hazardous waste cleanup. Locks and dams are a major issue with the Subcommittee, and it has oversight responsibilities for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and the Environmental Protection Agency. Congresswoman Bustos has consistently advocated for modernizing our nation's locks and dams, and passed bipartisan legislation to explore agreements between the Army Corps of Engineers and private entities as alternatives to traditional financing, planning, design and construction models.

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