Panel Expected to Act on Transportation, Water Issues but Gridlock Likely to Continue

With Democrats retaining control of the Senate, the Environment and Public Works Committee is expected to continue its focus on transportation and water infrastructure in the 113th Congress, but analysts say continuing gridlock will likely hamper movement on major environmental legislation.

Sen. Barbara Boxer (D-Calif.) is expected to remain as chairman of the committee, despite speculation that she may leave the committee to take the helm of the Foreign Relations Committee should Sen. John Kerry (D-Mass.), the committee’s current chairman, leave to take a position within the Obama administration, according to committee sources.

One major change on the Environment and ...