Committees and Caucuses
Congresswoman Val Hoyle sits on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the House Committee on Natural Resources. The role of a House Committee is to consider legislation, investigate issues, and oversee agencies, programs, and activities relevant to each member’s district.
The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has jurisdiction over all modes of transportation. It works on national policy for highways, transit, aviation, rail, water infrastructure, pipeline safety, maritime transportation, and the United States Coast Guard. The Committee is one of the House’s largest committees both in terms of membership and jurisdiction.
Oregon’s Fourth Congressional District touches on all modes of transportation. There are eleven ports in the district: Alsea, Bandon, Brookings Harbor, Coos Bay, Coquille River, Gold Beach, Newport, Port Orford, Siuslaw, Toledo, and Umpqua. It is home to several scenic highways, from U.S. Highway 101 along the coast to HWY 20 over the peaks of the cascade mountain range.
Amtrak’s passenger rail and a Class One freight rail share the rail line through Willamette Valley, helping haul commercial goods from all over the Pacific Northwest. There are two commercial airports, one in Eugene and one in North Bend, that provide passenger service and several municipal airports that support general aviation, emergency services, and wildland firefighting resources. Throughout the district, you’ll find cities that run on transit systems and networks of pedestrian and bicycle infrastructure. The district also aligns with Coast Guard Sector North Bend, which maintains six lifeboat stations, five Dolphin Helicopters, two air facilities, a 110’ Island Class Cutter, and two seasonal search and rescue detachments.
The House Committee on Natural Resources oversees oceans, forests and public lands, national parks, western water, wildlife, energy and mineral resources, and the federal relationship with American Indian tribes throughout the United States.
Natural resources are central to the Fourth Congressional District, which is ecologically diverse and heavily forested. 85% of the district is forestland, with about half being managed by the federal government. Its coastline stretches for 250 miles and is renowned for its pristine and rugged beauty and thriving commercial and recreational fishing industry. Additionally, the district is home to several federally recognized Indigenous tribes including the Confederated Tribes of Siletz Indians; the Confederated Tribes of the Coos, Lower Umpqua, and Siuslaw Indians (CTCLUSI); the Coquille Indian Tribe; and the Cow Creek Band of Umpqua Tribe of Indians.
Congresswoman Val Hoyle is a member of the following caucuses:
- Battleground Caucus
- Bipartisan United States Coast Guard Caucus
- Congressional Progressive Caucus
- Democratic Women’s Caucus
- Equality Caucus
- Labor Caucus
- Mental Health Caucus
- Native American Caucus
- New Democrat Coalition
- Oceans Caucus
- Pro-Choice Caucus
- Rural Health Caucus
- Steel Caucus
- Sustainable Energy and Environment Coalition
- Task Force on Strengthening Democracy
- Voting Rights Caucus
- The Bike Caucus
- Soccer Caucus
- Ukraine Caucus
- Sneaker Caucus
- House Small Brewers Caucus
- Seafood Caucus