{"database": "press", "table": "releases", "rows": [["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-nick-begich-named-vice-chair-house-subcommittee-railroads", "Congressman Nick Begich Named Vice Chair of House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials", "2025-02-26", "2025", "2025-02", "Republican", "House", "AK", "Nicholas J. Begich III", "B001323", "begich.house.gov", "begich", "https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases", "scraper", "WASHINGTON, D.C. \u2013 February 26, 2025 \u2013 Congressman Nick Begich (AK), a member of the House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure, has been named Vice Chair of the House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, a key position that will allow him to advocate for strengthening transportation infrastructure, enhancing energy security, and expanding economic opportunities\u2014in Alaska, and throughout the nation.\n\n\u201cI am honored to be named Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials and look forward to working with Subcommittee Chairman Webster and my colleagues to modernize and expand our nation\u2019s transportation networks,\u201d said Congressman Begich. \u201cThis role presents a tremendous opportunity to advance critical infrastructure projects that will strengthen Alaska\u2019s economy, improve supply chain efficiency, and support energy development.\u201d\n\n\u201cCongressman Begich is an excellent choice to serve as vice chair of our subcommittee with jurisdiction over railroads and pipelines \u2013 infrastructure networks that are critical to Alaska and the entire country. I look forward to working with Nick and Subcommittee Chairman Webster to reauthorize pipeline safety programs, improve rail transportation, and foster America\u2019s energy independence,\u201d said House Committee on Transportation & Infrastructure Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO).\n\nA major priority for Congressman Begich is advancing the state\u2019s long-held goal of connecting Alaska to the Lower 48 via a railroad. Currently, Alaska remains unconnected the rest of the North American rail network, a gap that limits economic growth and trade opportunities.\n\n\u201cAlaska has immense resource potential, but we must have the infrastructure to move goods and energy efficiently. Expanding our rail and pipeline networks will lower costs, create jobs, and strengthen our state\u2019s position in the global economy,\u201d Begich added.\n\nIn addition to rail expansion, Congressman Begich has been a leading advocate for the Alaska LNG pipeline, an 800-mile project designed to unlock the vast natural gas reserves of the North Slope and bring them to market. By tapping into previously stranded resources and facilitating LNG exports, the Alaska LNG pipeline would Create thousands of good-paying jobs for Alaskans, reduce energy costs for homes and businesses and strengthen U.S. energy independence and national security.\n\nThe Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials has jurisdiction over the Surface Transportation Board (STB), Federal Railroad Administration (FRA), Amtrak, and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA). The Subcommittee plays a key oversight role to ensure the economic and safety regulation of railroads, pipelines, and hazardous materials transportation\u2014industries that are critical to Alaska\u2019s economy.\n\nAs Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Congressman Begich will advocate for pro-growth, pro-energy policies that strengthen Alaska\u2019s economy, create jobs, and position America as a leader in transportation and energy infrastructure.\n\n###", 1, "2026-03-30T01:40:41Z", "2026-04-06T23:42:11Z"]], "columns": ["url", "title", "date", "year", "month", "party", "chamber", "state", "member_name", "bioguide_id", "domain", "scraper", "source", "date_source", "text", "has_text", "collected_at", "updated_at"], "primary_keys": ["url"], "primary_key_values": ["https://begich.house.gov/media/press-releases/congressman-nick-begich-named-vice-chair-house-subcommittee-railroads"], "units": {}, "query_ms": 2.084042178466916, "source": "dwillis/congress-press", "source_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press", "license": "MIT", "license_url": "https://github.com/dwillis/congress-press/blob/main/LICENSE"}