Skip to Content
Streetsblog USA home
Streetsblog USA home
Log In
House of Representatives

Could a Coal-n-Highways Dem Take Oberstar’s Place on Transpo Committee?

Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) is reportedly angling for the top Democratic seat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in the House. Had Jim Oberstar survived the election, he would have given up the chair and become the ranking member.

Nick Rahall (left) is throwing his hat in the ring for top Dem on T & I. Image: ##http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=36##Nick Rahall#
Nick Rahall (left) is throwing his hat in the ring for top Dem on T & I. Image: ##http://www.rahall.house.gov/index.cfm?sectionid=36##Nick Rahall#

Rahall is next in line for the seat, and, as The Hill is reporting, he’s ready to leave the top spot on the Natural Resources Committee to focus on Transportation and Infrastructure.

That could be good news for the Natural Resources Committee – Rahall represents coal country, and his support for coal has stifled attempts to regulate it or shift to cleaner energy sources. Just last month, he likened regulation of the coal industry to a terrorist threat.

Next in line to be top Dem on that committee is 81-year-old Dale Kildee (MI). But The Hill notes that the person most interested in the job could be Ed Markey of Massachusetts, who’s taken a lead role in crafting climate legislation.

But back to T & I.  Rahall hasn’t made his bid official yet, though his spokesperson says he will soon. What kind of ranking member would he be? Hard to say, but check out his website’s issue page on Transportation. It’s got three bullet points: highways, water, and broadband. Mass transit? Pedestrian safety? Bike infrastructure? Not big issues in southern West Virginia.

Right after Rahall in the T & I ranking is Peter DeFazio (D-OR), who’s been a livability champion, a member of the Congressional Bike Caucus, and a transit supporter.

Democratic leadership makes the call on committee assignments. It’s not clear whether that will happen during the lame duck next week or when the session begins in January.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog USA

Wednesday’s Headlines Are Running Out of Time

Our chance to avoid catastrophic climate change continues to slip away without urgent action.

January 15, 2025

‘A Big Deal’: Buttigieg’s Final Grants Give Hundreds of Millions To Sustainable Transportation

Secretary Pete's parting gift to America includes big money for bikeways, highways-to-boulevards projects, and more.

January 15, 2025

Tuesday’s Headlines Are Psyched About Bikes

NACTO's new Urban Bikeway Design Guide tackles the politics of bike lanes in addition to the engineering challenges.

January 14, 2025

Video: Why We Need a Global Freeway Fighters’ Network

A terrible project in Berlin shows the need for a global network to support local freeway fighters everywhere.

January 14, 2025
See all posts