U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-FL) was confirmed by vote of the House Republican Conference to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the 112th Congress.

Mica will be Florida's first full Transportation Committee Chairman in Congress.' The Committee has broad jurisdiction over the nation's highways, aviation system, transit, rail transportation, pipelines, the Coast Guard, maritime transportation, water resources, economic development, public buildings, and emergency management.

'We must begin immediately to address the significant needs and challenges facing our nation's infrastructure and create jobs,' Mica said.

'Today, our government, elected leaders, and Americans everywhere have no choice but to do more with less,' Mica continued.' 'This will also be the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's mandate.

'With limited resources, cutting red tape to complete stalled projects and better utilization of the federal government's assets are top priorities.' Improving our infrastructure will ensure a strong backbone for our economy.

'The Committee must pass stalled major surface transportation, aviation, and water resources bills, and I will do so as soon as possible in a manner that protects the taxpayers and creates jobs.' It is critical that Congress jumpstarts transportation projects to rebuild our nation's crumbling infrastructure and get people working,' Mica concluded.