With the mid-term elections having put the Republican Party in control of the House of Representatives, Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL) is poised to become the next chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. He will replace James Oberstar (D-MN), who lost a close-fought bid for re-election.
First elected to Congress in 1992 representing the 7th Congressional District of Florida, Mica was tapped to be the Ranking Member (minority leader) on the transportation and infrastructure committee during the 110th Congress .
He has served on all six Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees, which include: Aviation; Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation; Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management; Highways and Transit; Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials; and Water Resources and Environment
Mica is noted for supporting multi-modal freight efforts, particularly in terms of redirecting truck traffic onto trains where applicable. Just last month he pointed out that expanding Amtrak’s auto train service could help alleviate traffic congestion and noted that European-style “truck trains” should be on the table as well.
“We could dramatically increase service, employment and take cars off the roads—saving energy and positively impacting the environment,” Mica said during the dedication of a new auto train terminal in Sanford FL on Oct. 18th. “Other auto train services should be considered, including a truck train where semis and their cabs are similarly transported by rail like in Europe and in other countries.”
