Petri to Chair House Highway Subcommittee

Rep. Tom Petri (R-Wis.) was named the new chairman of the House Transportation Committee’s subcommittee on highways and transit.

Petri was appointed by Rep. Bill Shuster, who was named the new chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee late last year.

The 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.

The panel is also responsible for the surface transportation bill, which will require reauthorization during the 113th Congress.

“A first-class transportation network is absolutely essential for our economic growth and global competitiveness,” said Petri, who is the committee’s second-longest serving member, having been first elected to the House in 1979.

“Every American is impacted by our transportation system and sees its successes — and shortfalls — each day as they commute to work or school and go about their daily lives. Consumers and businesses rely on our roads and highways to move goods across the country.

“Our current system faces many challenges, and I look forward to working with Chairman Shuster and others in finding workable solutions to improving and strengthening our programs,” Petri said in a statement.