With 100 new members of Congress sworn in on January 3rd, the 116th Congress will bring new faces and new leadership to Washington, D.C. Key committees in both the House and Senate will see new leadership that could affect NGWA priorities in 2019.
Here are a few highlights of key changes:
Senate Finance Committee: This committee, responsible for tax policy, will be headed by Senator Chuck Grassley (R-Iowa). Senator Ron Wyden (D-Oregon) will remain the ranking member.
Senate Energy & Natural Resources Committee: Senator Joe Manchin (D-West Virginia) will serve as ranking member on this committee, which will continue to be led by Senator Lisa Murkowski (R-Alaska).
Senate Commerce, Science & Transportation: Senator Roger Wicker (R-Mississippi) will serve as the new chairman alongside new ranking member Senator Maria Cantwell (D-Washington). This committee is responsible for highway safety and science policy.
House Energy & Commerce Committee: Representative Frank Pallone (D-New Jersey) will chair this committee overseeing drinking water, Superfund and energy policy, with Representative Greg Walden (R-Oregon) serving as ranking member.
House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee: Representative Peter DeFazio (D-Oregon) will serve as chairman, alongside Representative Sam Graves (R-Missouri) as ranking member, on this committee responsible for highway policy, Brownfields, and water resources.
House Ways & Means Committee: Representative Richard Neal (D-Massachusetts) will be the new chair of the Ways & Means Committee, responsible for tax policy, with Representative Kevin Brady (R-Texas) serving as ranking members