On Nov. 13, 2018, the House and Senate returned from election season and are back in session. As the results of the elections are finalized, discussions have ramped up about who will take control of leadership roles within the House and Senate. The primary committees that handle commercial motor vehicle issues are expected to see leadership changes. With Democrats in control of the House, there will be new chairs of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Highway and Transit Subcommittee and the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee. In addition, with changes to top Senate leadership the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation will have a new chair.
With just a few weeks left in the 115th Congress, much attention is on passing several funding bills that are set to expire on Dec. 7. Included in those is the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development appropriations bill. To continue to fund these programs, Congress must pass the bill or a continuing resolution by the Dec. 7 deadline.