Even occasional observers of the national transportation scene can
probably recognize House transportation committee chairman Jim Oberstar
(D-MN) or Senate environment committee chairman Barbara Boxer (D-CA) —
but what about the advisers who act as their eyes and ears in drafting
policy?

Here’s a look at 10 of Congress’ biggest transportation power players, courtesy of Roll Call.

What
jumps out is how many staffers have leapt from one
transportation-minded member to another. For example, Boxer’s senior
policy director for transportation is an alumna of Rep. Pete DeFazio’s
(D-OR) office, while the staff director for Sen. Max Baucus’ (D-MT)
transportation subcommittee comes from Rep. Nick Rahall’s (D-WV) office.

That
shared lineage, however, doesn’t seem to be helping the House and
Senate align their transportation policy planning this year…