On Nov. 28, the House Republican Conference selected Congressman Bill Shuster (R-Pa.) to be the next Chairman of the House Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee. Shuster has served on the T&I Committee since coming to Congress in 2001. He previously served as Chairman of the T&I Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and as Chairman of the T&I Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Shuster will be “Chairman-elect” until the start of the 113th Congress in January, and replaces Rep. John Mica (R-Fla.) who, under House Republican term-limit rules, must step down from his leadership of the panel at the end of 2012.
Shuster demonstrated his desire to get a quick start in addressing issues that the T&I Committee will face in the 113th Congress by announcing the appointment of key senior staff to lead the committee.
“I am pleased that these experienced and knowledgeable professionals have agreed to help me run the committee next year. Their expertise will aid the committee in pursuing an aggressive agenda focused on strengthening America’s transportation networks to make us more efficient, more competitive and more prosperous.”
Christopher Bertram, currently serving as the Chief Financial Officer of the U.S. DOT, will be the Committee Chief of Staff. Jim Tymon, who was the lead staff negotiator for the House during the conference with the Senate for MAP 21, will continue to serve as Senior Advisor to the Chairman and as the Staff Director of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee.
In accepting the appointment, Shuster said, “Transportation issues are among the most critical that we face in Congress and as a nation. Our transportation infrastructure is the backbone that supports economic growth and global competiveness.”
