T&I Chairman Sam Graves Will Not Seek Re-Election

What happened: The top Republican on the House Transportation & Infrastructure (T&I) Committee announced his retirement in a March 27 interview with the Wall Street Journal. Graves has served as chairman of T&I since 2019, overseeing passage of recent aviation and water resources bills. He is currently crafting a new surface transportation reauthorization bill.

Rep. Rick Larsen (D-Wash.), the T&I Committee’s top Democrat shared, “the House of Representatives—and T&I Committee—is losing a fierce advocate for infrastructure investment and transportation safety.”

Why it matters: His pending retirement may provide Graves with additional motivation to pursue timely renewal of the next highway and transit bill due in six months.

What’s next: Graves suggested Rep. David Rouzer (R-N.C.) would be well-suited to lead the committee, though Rep. Bruce Westerman (R-Ark.) and Rep. Rick Crawford (R-Ark.) could also make a play for the top spot.