Washington, D.C. – Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Rick Larsen (D-WA), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Salud Carbajal (D-CA) and Representatives Lauren Underwood (D-IL) and Scott Peters (D-CA) released the following statements after the T&I Committee passed nine bills during today’s markup.
“Today’s successful markup included several bipartisan bills to support American families, protect American businesses and keep our communities safe,” Ranking Member Larsen said. “Ranking Member Salud Carbajal’s American Cargo for American Ships Act will strengthen the U.S. maritime industry by increasing the amount of cargo carried on ships owned and operated by Americans. Representative Lauren Underwood’s Baby Changing on Board Act will ensure parents have access to baby changing tables on all new Amtrak trains. Representative Scott Peters’ bill will improve cross-border water infrastructure and water quality work done by the International Boundary and Water Commission. I look forward to these bills being considered by the full House and thank my colleagues on the T&I Committee for their continued commitment to creating good-paying jobs and safer, cleaner, greener and more accessible infrastructure across the country.”
“Now more than ever, our country needs to reduce its reliance on foreign ships to facilitate international trade,” Ranking Member Carbajal said. “Today, the T&I Committee passed my bipartisan American Cargo for American Ships Act, which will increase the role of U.S. flagged ships in our supply chains. I will continue working across the aisle to pass this bill.”
“Parents and caregivers shouldn’t have to worry about whether there’s a safe and clean place to care for their kids while traveling,” Representative Underwood said. “This legislation is a practical, necessary step to make sure families have access to the amenities they need on Amtrak. This is common-sense, bipartisan legislation to support families, and I look forward to its swift passage in the House.”
“I’ve worked with our Congressional delegation and local advocates for years to bring attention to cross-border sewage pollution,” Representative Peters said. “Our federal, state, and local partners have witnessed firsthand the devastating effects of this environmental and public health crisis, and with this bill, they will be able to contribute directly to the long-term health and well-being of our region. Following this overwhelming committee vote, I urge House leadership to bring the bill to the floor as soon as possible.”
Below are the Democratic bills that advanced during today’s markup:
H.R. 2035, American Cargo for American Ships Act, introduced by Rep. Salud Carbajal (D-CA), would increase oceangoing cargo for U.S. flagged vessels by increasing the cargo preference requirement for DOT from 50 percent to 100 percent.
H.R. 248, Baby Changing on Board Act, introduced by Rep. Lauren Underwood (D-IL), would require Amtrak to install baby changing tables in all accessible bathrooms on passenger rail cars purchased after the bill’s enactment.
H.R. 1948, To authorize the International Boundary and Water Commission to accept funds for activities relating to wastewater treatment and flood control works, and for other purposes, introduced by Rep. Scott Peters (D-CA), would allow the USIBWC to partner with other federal and state agencies to accomplish its mission of water supply, flood protection, eliminating cross-border wastewater flows, and boundary maintenance.