Skip to Content
Streetsblog New York City home
Streetsblog New York City home
Log In
House of Representatives

House Transpo Committee Shrinks, Senate EPW Announces New Members

The committees with jurisdiction over transportation are shrinking. In the Senate, committee membership is only going from 21 to 20. But the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is experiencing a much more significant belt-tightening, shrinking from a committee of 75 to just 59. Of those 59, 33 are Republicans and 26 are Democrats.

John Boozman is one of three new Republican members of the Senate EPW Committee.
false

Congressional staff confirms that while not all committees were downsized in the transition to Republican rule, most were. And T&I was an easy target, being the biggest committee in the House (a position it retains, even at a slimmer 59 members).

Republicans say they trimmed committee size in the interest of creating a smaller and more accountable government. House Speaker John Boehner cut committee budgets by five percent.

Meanwhile, as promised, the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee has announced its new roster for the 112th Congress:

Democrats: Chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA), Max Baucus (D-MT), Thomas Carper (D-DE), Frank Lautenberg (D-NJ), Benjamin Cardin (D-MD), Bernard Sanders (I-VT), Sheldon Whitehouse (D-RI), Tom Udall (D-NM), Jeff Merkley (D-OR), Kirsten Gillibrand (D-NY)

Republicans: Ranking Member James Inhofe (R-OK), David Vitter (R-LA), John Barrasso (R-WY), Jeff Sessions (R-AL), Mike Crapo (R-ID), Lamar Alexander (R-TN), Mike Johanns (R-NE), John Boozman (R-AR)

The Democratic side is the same as the last session except that Sen. Amy Klobuchar (D-MN) has dropped off and hasn’t been replaced. Also, Pennsylvania Senator Arlen Specter, who started last session as a Republican and then switched to the Democratic party, was defeated in the November election. Meanwhile, on the Republican side, Sessions, Johanns, and Boozman are new members. All of that leaves the committee with a ten to eight balance of Democrats to Republicans. Last session, with a bigger majority, the balance was twelve to seven after Specter switched parties.

Stay in touch

Sign up for our free newsletter

More from Streetsblog New York City

‘Bean-Counting Street Safety’: Advocates Blast Gale Brewer’s Daylighting Flip-Flop

The Upper West Side pol's inconsistent safety record is getting a second look from activists who once supported her.

October 2, 2025

There’s Good Science Behind the Human Craving for Livable Streets

It's time to understand the science of pedestrian-friendly cities. Or, why streets should be designed like gardens.

October 2, 2025

Thursday’s Headlines: Mourning Becomes Enforcement Edition

Why were cops ticketing cyclists at the very intersection where a bike rider was killed by a driver on Saturday? Plus other news.

October 2, 2025

Trump Culture War Tantrum Turns to Gateway Tunnel and Second Ave. Subway

It's the second time the Trump administration has denied New York transit funding in as many days.

October 1, 2025

West Side Pols Call on Trump Administration to Stop Illegally Blocking 10th Ave. Bike Lane

The DEA blockade of the 10th Avenue bike lane continues, and local politicians are demanding the federal agency stop denying cyclists safety.

October 1, 2025

When the DOT Takes Your Bike: A Cyclist’s Guide to Getting It Back 

A bike commuter's frustrating journey through New York's bureaucratic maze reveals a hidden problem affecting cyclists citywide. 

October 1, 2025
See all posts