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
Link to All Legislation Referred to the Full Committee
Recent News
Kline, Mica Decry Divisive Mediation Board Proposed Rule Overturning 75 Years of Workplace Election Policy
Tuesday, November 03, 2009
High-Speed Rail Investments Must Yield Real Results
Wednesday, October 14, 2009
Billions of dollars in pending high-speed rail investments in the United States must be wisely spent in order to develop the nation’s first true high-speed system, according to Committee Republicans.
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, state-supported intercity passenger rail, and research and development
- Rail infrastructure programs, including those financed through grants, loans and loan guarantees
- 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
111th Congress
Rep. Bill Shuster (PA), Ranking Member
Rep. Thomas E. Petri (WI)
Rep. Jerry Moran (KS)
Rep. Gary G. Miller (CA)
Rep. Henry E. Brown, Jr. (SC)
Rep. Timothy V. Johnson (IL)
Rep. Sam Graves (MO)
Rep. Jim Gerlach (PA)
Rep. Charles W. Dent (PA)
Rep. Lynn A. Westmoreland (GA)
Rep. Jean Schmidt (OH)
Rep. Candice S. Miller (MI)
Rep. Vern Buchanan (FL)
Rep. Robert E. Latta (OH)
Rep. Brett Guthrie (KY)
Rep. Anh "Joseph" Cao (LA)
Rep. Aaron Schock (IL)
Rep. Pete Olson (TX)
Ranking Member Shuster's Biography
Bill Shuster, Ranking Republican, Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials
On This Page
Subcommittee Links
Contact the Subcommittee
Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials592 Ford HOB
Washington, DC 20515
202-226-0727