Titus gets transportation committee seat

Rep.-elect Dina Titus was named Monday to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee of the House of Representatives, the first committee assignment for the newly elected Democratic congresswoman from Nevada's 3rd District.

Titus, who defeated Republican Jon Porter in the November election, is scheduled to be formally sworn in to her new office today in Washington, D.C.

The transportation committee's purview includes such significant legislation as the highway bills Congress regularly approves. In a prepared statement Monday, Titus said her work on the committee would be a good match for the needs of her suburban Clark County district.

"With record growth that has put an increasing strain on Nevada's aging infrastructure, it is more important than ever to modernize and strengthen our roads, highways, and energy grid while spurring job creation in Southern Nevada," Titus said.

Eight new members of Congress were named to the transportation panel.

President-elect Barack Obama has called for infrastructure spending as part of a proposed massive economic stimulus bill he hopes to pass soon after his inauguration later this month.

The transportation assignment is one of two committee posts that Titus expects to fill. Others she is interested in include the Education and Labor Committee and the Veterans' Affairs Committee, spokesman Andrew Stoddard said.

Contact reporter Molly Ball at mball@reviewjournal.com or 702-387-2919.