With one of President-elect Donald Trump’s chief domestic priorities being a $1 trillion infrastructure and transportation plan over the next ten years, a South Florida Republican on Capitol Hill will play a major role in shaping its final version.
On Tuesday, the House Republican Steering Committee approved keeping U.S. Rep. Mario Diaz-Balart, R-Fla., as chairman of the U.S. House Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Committee.
“I am honored to continue serving as the Chairman of the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development Appropriations Subcommittee,” Diaz-Balart said on Tuesday. “In the last two years, we were able to prioritize vital housing programs and transportation initiatives our community depends on. Whether it is supporting critical homeless assistance grants for South Florida to successfully advocating for Southwest Florida’s designation as a Promise Zone, I am proud of the work I have accomplished. This chairmanship also gives our community a direct line to the leadership of two important Cabinet departments.”
Diaz-Balart was clear throughout 2016 that he would back the Republican presidential nominee but never referred to Trump by name. Still, that lukewarm support was more than what Trump received from Diaz-Balart’s South Florida Republicans U.S. Reps. Carlos Curbelo and Ileana Ros-Lehtinen.
Last month, Diaz-Balart sounded like he was willing to work with the incoming administration, praising Trump for naming Elaine Chao to lead the Transportation Department and picking Dr. Ben Carson to lead Housing and Urban Development. The South Florida Republican doubled down on Tuesday, saying he intended to work with the Trump administration.
“As we welcome a new administration, I am excited to continue prioritizing transportation and infrastructure, helping address urgent needs in our community and across the country,” Diaz-Balart said.
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