U.S. Representative Jeff Denham (R-Turlock) recently announced that he will continue his role as Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee chairman on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 115th Congress. He will also retain his seats with the Agriculture and Natural Resources committees.

“I’m honored and excited to continue my work as chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee, especially as we begin working with a new administration on outlining infrastructure priorities,” said Rep. Denham. “I also look forward to ensuring that the Valley’s agriculture and water priorities are represented and heard through my work on the Agriculture and Natural Resource committees.”

Rep. Denham, who is beginning his seventh year representing the Central Valley, has served as chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials subcommittee since 2013. Last Congress, in his role as chairman, Denham shepherded the passage of legislation that strengthened safety regulations for the nation’s pipeline network and also presided over hearings on the progress of California’s high-speed rail project.

Through his work on the Natural Resources committee, Denham has introduced and co-sponsored multiple pieces of legislation that offer solutions to California’s drought and water management crisis, including the New WATER (Water Available To Every Reclamation) Act. The Natural Resources committee considers legislation about American energy production, mineral lands and mining, fisheries and wildlife, public lands, oceans, Native Americans, irrigation and reclamation.

Denham advocates for the Central Valley’s large agriculture economy and community through the Agriculture committee, which has jurisdiction over Department of Agriculture (USDA) programs; general farm commodities and risk management; conservation, energy and forestry; horticulture, research, biotechnology and foreign agriculture; livestock, rural development and farm credit, among other programs.