On Wednesday, U.S. Rep. John L. Mica (R-Fla) was confirmed by vote of the House Republican Conference to serve as Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure in the 112th Congress.

Mica will be Florida's first full Transportation Committee Chairman in Congress. The Committee has broad jurisdiction over the nation's highways, aviation system, transit, rail transportation, pipelines, the Coast Guard, maritime transportation, water resources, economic development, public buildings and emergency management.

"We must begin immediately to address the significant needs and challenges facing our nation's infrastructure and create jobs," Mica said.

In the previous two congresses, Mica served as the Committee's Republican leader. Prior to that, from 2000 to 2006, he was the Chairman of the Aviation Subcommittee, during which time he authored the last multi-year FAA authorization to be signed into law. Mica has been a member of the Committee since his election to Congress in 1992.

"With limited resources, cutting red tape to complete stalled projects and better utilization of the federal government's assets are top priorities. Improving our infrastructure will ensure a strong backbone for our economy," said Mica.