Jeff Denham, Sam Graves, Derek Kan to Headline Ripon Panel
Two top transportation authorizers in the U.S. House and a senior official at the U.S. Department of Transportation are scheduled to headline a discussion about the future of the country’s infrastructure at the Ripon Society on Sept. 27.
Republican Reps. Sam Graves of Missouri and Jeff Denham of California, chairmen of the subcommittees that oversee surface transportation and railroads, respectively, will be joined by Derek Kan, DOT’s undersecretary of transportation for policy, for a deep dive about the potential impact of public-private partnerships in helping to fund big-ticket projects.
Kan
The chairman of the full committee on transportation affairs, outgoing Rep. Bill Shuster (R-Pa.), recently proposed a long-term infrastructure plan that would raise taxes on fuel and establish a volunteer vehicle-miles-traveled program. Prior to Shuster’s plan, the White House had unveiled a plan calling for $1.5 trillion for infrastructure projects over 10 years by relying significantly on private sector backing. Shuster’s committee, as well as the transportation committees in the Senate, have not taken up an infrastructure measure this year.
Graves and Denham, each vying to succeed Shuster as chairman of the full committee, are expected to consider an infrastructure proposal after the November midterm elections if Republicans continue to control the chamber.
Current funding authorization for federal transportation programs expires in less than three years. Stakeholders urge Congress and the White House to boost investments in the country’s transportation network.
The Ripon Society event will be held in Washington and is closed to media.
