House Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Graves Retains Leadership Position in 119th Congress

The National Utility Contractors Association (NUCA) congratulates U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Sam Graves on the Republican Steering Committee’s (RSC) recommendation for him to continue serving as committee chairman in the new 119th Congress. Our overall success in this election through NUCA’s campaign involvement helped House leadership recognize NUCA’s influence on water infrastructure issues and the need to continue with existing House leaders.

“Charman Graves is the right man for the job, ” said NUCA CEO Doug Carlson. “His leadership has been instrumental in the passage of the Water Resources Development Act and the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization this session, and has made strong contributions to several other historic infrastructure laws since he joined the House’s influential infrastructure committee. NUCA has been proud to support Chairman Graves over the years, and continue our strong support for him as the best Chairman to lead this legislative body in the new Congress.”

Under House Republican Conference rules, a waiver was needed to serve beyond a combined six years as Committee Chair or Ranking Member. Chairman Graves only served as Chairman for two years out of the six, and his leadership during that time has been exemplary. NUCA was pleased that the RSC voted to issue Chairman Graves a waiver, and strongly supports Chairman Graves continuing as this committee’s chairman.

With NUCA’s help, Chairman Graves’s leadership continues to be recognized by the RSC as extremely influential on underground infrastructure issues. Chairman Graves helped to pass key infrastructure legislation in a divided government, Now, working in tandem with the White House and a Senate majority, NUCA looks forward to the chance for him to implement a broader agenda that helps America’s underground infrastructure industry members.

NUCA has strongly supported Chairman Graves across his time as committee chairman, awarding him our prestigious “We Dig America” award in May 2023. NUCA also endorsed and strongly supported him in his 2024 reelection campaign.

“Under Chairman Graves, Transportation & Infrastructure was one of the most productive committees of the 118th Congress. We look forward to working with him and his team to tackle the challenges ahead, including unfinished business from the 118th, the next major Surface Transportation reauthorization in 2025, and the future reauthorization of the two critical water infrastructure State Revolving Funds in 2026,” concluded Carlson.

NUCA’s influence and standing with Congress continues to grow, as we work to advance the interests of the builders of America’s underground infrastructure. Our members will always seek to support lawmakers who know the benefits of infrastructure projects on their state’s economy, and who recognize the importance of delivering clean water, natural gas, broadband services, and electric power to their constituent’s homes and businesses. Working with Congressional resources, NUCA member’s skilled employees are able to build and maintain this subsurface infrastructure for our nation’s benefit and success.

NUCA and our members look forward to the House Republican Conference vote to approve Chairman’s Graves new term in the 119th Congress. NUCA is confident Chairman Graves will lead his House committee to even greater successes in 2025 and beyond.