Congressman Walz Named to Influential House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee

CONGRESSMAN WALZ NAMED TO INFLUENTIAL HOUSE TRANSPORTATION & INFRASTUCTURE COMMITTEE

Amid intense competition, U.S. Congressman Tim Walz (MN-01) today secured a seat on the powerful Transportation & Infrastructure Committee of the U.S. House of Representatives, chaired by Minnesota Congressman Jim Oberstar. The Transportation Committee has jurisdiction over highway funding, the Mississippi River Locks and Dams, and railroad transportation including the proposed $2.3 billion dollar DM&E loan.

"I am thrilled to be appointed to the Transportation Committee," said Walz. "The infrastructure of a community is what allows it to grow and prosper. Sadly, much of our rural infrastructure has been allowed to fall into disrepair. This infrastructure desperately needs to be upgraded and I'm eager to work with my friend and colleague, Chairman Oberstar to ensure that upgrade occurs as quickly as possible."

In addition to tackling the badly needed rural infrastructure upgrades, Walz and his colleagues will consider legislation authored by Congressman Oberstar that would dilute the monopoly power railroads currently hold and restructure parts of the Federal Railroad Administration.

Walz was the first freshman appointed in the 110th Congress to the House Agriculture Committee, which is chaired by fellow Minnesotan Rep. Collin Peterson.

http://walz.house.gov/News/DocumentSingle.aspx?DocumentID=55784