Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials
Bill Shuster, Ranking Republican
The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads and the agencies that administer those regulations, as well as Amtrak. The transportation of hazardous materials and the issue of pipeline safety also fall under the jurisdiction of the Subcommittee.
Link to Legislation Referred to the Subcommittee
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Jurisdiction
The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials has jurisdiction over the economic and safety regulation of railroads and the agencies that administer those regulations. Economic regulation is administered by the three-member Surface Transportation Board (STB). This independent agency also has the authority to address national emergencies as they affect the nation’s rail transportation system.
The Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) is responsible for administering railroad safety laws, railroad infrastructure and development programs, possesses responsibilities relevant to homeland security, and has federal oversight of Amtrak.
Amtrak is the nation’s major provider of intercity passenger rail service. Also known as the National Railroad Passenger Corporation, Amtrak was established by law in 1970, required to assume the responsibility for the money-losing passenger services of the private sector railroads in the United States. The Subcommittee continues to oversee efforts to increase efficiency and accountability in Amtrak’s operations.
The Subcommittee also has jurisdiction over the railroad retirement and unemployment systems, as well as rail labor relations.
In the 110th Congress, some issues previously under the jurisdiction of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee were transferred to the former Railroads Subcommittee. The transportation of hazardous materials and the issue of pipeline safety now fall under the scope of this subcommittee, renamed the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee.
Issues and agencies under the jurisdiction of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee include:
- Economic regulation of railroads
- Surface Transportation Board (STB)
- Railroad safety, including safety practices, equipment, and reporting
- Federal Railroad Administration (FRA)
- Railroad development programs, such as high-speed rail research and development
- Rail infrastructure programs
- Rail security
- Amtrak
- Railroad retirement (regarding the benefit aspects) and unemployment
- Railroad Retirement Board, which administers the retirement and unemployment programs unique to railroads
- Railway Labor Act
- The National Mediation Board, which administer the Railway Labor Act
- Hazardous materials transportation
- Pipeline transportation safety
- Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA)
Members
Republican Members of the
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
U.S. House of Representatives
110th Congress
Bill Shuster, PA , Ranking Member
Thomas E. Petri, WI
Wayne T. Gilchrest, MD
Steven C. LaTourette, OH
Jerry Moran, KS
Gary G. Miller, CA
Henry Brown, SC
Timothy V. Johnson, IL
Todd Russell Platts, PA
Sam Graves, MO
Jim Gerlach, PA
Mario Diaz-Balart, FL
Lynn A. Westmoreland, GA
John L. Mica, FL (ex officio)
Ranking Member Biography
U.S. Rep. Bill Shuster is the Ranking Republican on the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. Shusters Pennsylvania district has a rich railroading tradition, and his previous experience working with railroads and rail employees makes his selection to lead Subcommittee Republicans an appropriate one. Improving infrastructure, security and safety of rail transportation, as well as for pipelines and hazmat transportation, are priorities for Shuster and the Subcommittee.
In the 109th Congress, Shuster served as the Chairman of the Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Subcommittee. During that time, he worked to ensure that first responders are equipped to handle all forms of disasters: natural, man-made and terrorism-related. In the aftermath of Hurricane Katrina, Shuster was also a leader in the House in restoring FEMA with the tools, independence and authority needed to prepare and respond to disasters of all types.
Shuster is now serving his fourth term as U.S. Congressman for the Ninth District of Pennsylvania. He has proven to be a leader on local and national issues, and an outspoken advocate for his constituents. Throughout his service in Congress, he has focused on economic development and improving the infrastructure of his district in order to bring greater opportunity to residents of central Pennsylvania.
Shuster grew up working on his family’s farm in Everett, Pennsylvania. He went on to earn a degree in Political Science and History from Dickinson College, and a Masters of Business Administration from American University in Washington, D.C. He worked as a manager for the Goodyear Tire and Rubber Corporation and a District Manager for Bandag, Incorporated. Eventually Shuster became owner and operator of his own business, an automobile dealership in East Freedom, Pennsylvania. Shuster currently lives in Hollidaysburg, Pennsylvania with his wife and two children.
Bill Shuster, Ranking Republican, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials