Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management

The Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management is a specialized panel within the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. It operates as a subdivision of the parent committee, holding initial hearings and reviews on legislation within its narrower jurisdiction before matters advance to the full committee. This structure allows the subcommittee to conduct detailed examination of complex issues affecting federal property, economic development, and emergency response.

The subcommittee's jurisdiction spans three major policy areas. First, it oversees federal real estate programs and the Public Buildings Service of the General Services Administration, which manages federal buildings, courthouses, and border facilities. Second, it has authority over economic development initiatives targeting distressed communities, including the Economic Development Administration, the Appalachian Regional Commission, and several regional development authorities. Third, it provides oversight of federal emergency and disaster management, including the Federal Emergency Management Agency and programs addressing disaster mitigation, preparedness, response, and recovery.

Chairman Scott Perry of Pennsylvania and Ranking Member Greg Stanton of Arizona lead the 15-member subcommittee. In May 2025, the subcommittee held a hearing on federal courthouse design and construction, examining how the government plans and executes major public building projects. Recent legislative activity has focused on federal property management and safety, with members advancing bills to improve transparency in federal real estate decisions and enhance emergency communication protocols at federal facilities.