Rep. Sam Graves, R-Mo., will lead the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee once again.
On Thursday, Dec. 12, the Republican Steering Committee selected Graves to continue serving as the chairperson of the House T&I Committee in the 119th Congress.
Graves chaired the committee the past two years and was the Republican’s ranking member the four years before that. He received a waiver from a House GOP panel in order to remain the committee leader.
The position is especially significant in the upcoming legislative session, as Congress will go to work on the next highway bill.
“The Committee will hit the ground running in 2025,” Graves said. “Our work will include working with President Trump to advance his infrastructure priorities, developing the next long-term surface transportation reauthorization and reprioritizing policies that are consistent with the core purpose of infrastructure in the first place – moving people and goods safely and efficiently throughout our country.”
The Owner-Operator Independent Drivers Association said it is looking forward to working with Graves to advance pro-trucker legislation.
“OOIDA congratulates Chairman Graves on being selected by his colleagues to continue leading the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the 119th Congress,” OOIDA President Todd Spencer said. “We have a strong relationship with Chairman Graves and look forward to working with him and his committee next year on a surface transportation reauthorization bill that includes pro-trucker priorities like expanded truck parking, fighting freight fraud and allowing restroom access at shippers and receivers.”
When Congress worked on the previous infrastructure bill in 2021, Graves stood up for truckers in opposition of efforts to increase motor carriers’ minimum liability insurance from $750,000 to $2 million.
“It’s going to put some of these independent operators out of business, because the amount of money they’re going to have to put up for insurance,” Graves said. “It’s going to come down to one simple choice … You either choose those truck drivers who are trying to support their families, or you choose trial attorneys. That’s what it comes down to.” LL
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