Rep. Chris Deluzio (PA-17) announced his appointment to the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the remainder of the 118th Congress. He was selected by House Democratic Leader Hakeem Jeffries to fill a vacancy following the death of his colleague, New Jersey Congressman Donald Payne.

This committee has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation and is responsible for program authorization and oversight of the Department of Transportation. Additionally, it has jurisdiction over the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, most types of water infrastructure, the nation’s emergency preparedness and response programs, federal economic development agencies, the Coast Guard, and federal buildings.

“I want to thank Leader Jeffries for appointing me to the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,” said Deluzio. “I did not expect to spend so much of my first term in Congress standing up for our safety against big railroads like it’s the 19th century—but I am determined to continue this fight and make freight rail safer for us. Membership on this committee provides me more opportunities to fight not only for rail safety, but also for major Western PA priorities like better passenger rail, stronger and more resilient infrastructure like water and flood management systems, airports, highways, bridges, public transit, locks and dams, and more.”

“I am pleased to announce that Congressman Chris Deluzio has been appointed to the Transportation & Infrastructure Committee,” said Jeffries. “Chris is a leader who gets things done and a champion for the hardworking people of Western Pennsylvania. I look forward to working together as we continue to rebuild our crumbling roads, bridges, tunnels, airports and rail systems while creating good-paying union jobs at the same time.”

Since the Norfolk Southern train derailment in February 2023 that impacted his constituents in Beaver County, Deluzio has fought tirelessly for resources for Pennsylvanians affected by the derailment and accountability for the the railroad at fault. Along with spearheading efforts to hold Norfolk Southern responsible for their toxic derailment, he is the House lead sponsor of the Railway Safety Act, a bipartisan, comprehensive measure to make American freight rail safer. Deluzio also commissioned a congressional report that found that 95 percent of his constituents of Pennsylvania’s 17th Congressional District live within five miles of freight rail lines — highlighting the urgency of rail safety for Western Pennsylvanians.