Press Releases
T&I Committee Leaders Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
December 08, 2020WRDA 2020 now heads to the U.S. Senate for a final vote, the last step before the bill goes to the President's desk to be signed into law Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Calls on FCC to Postpone Tomorrow’s Scheduled Auction of a Portion of 3.7-4.2 GHz Radio Frequency Spectrum, Citing New Research That Amplifies the Safety Concerns of the Aviation Community
December 07, 2020Washington, D.C. -Citing new research into the safety of reallocating spectrum band neighboring a globally-allocated and longstanding aviation frequency band, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) today called on the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) to postpone its plan to auction off a portion of the 3.7-4.2 GHz spectrum band to private interests starting tomorrow.Chair DeFazio first brought safety concerns to the FCC's attention more than a … Continue Reading
Rep. Peter DeFazio Selected by Colleagues to Return as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
December 03, 2020Washington, DC - After being selected to return as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for the 117th Congress, Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement: "From the Pacific Ocean to the Atlantic seaboard, the work of the Transportation and Infrastructure (T&I) Committee touches every corner of America. Modernizing our infrastructure is critical to strengthening the economy, creating and sustaining millions of jobs, fostering safer and more … Continue Reading
Carper, DeFazio, and Grijalva File Amicus Brief over NEPA Rule Changes by the Trump Administration
December 01, 2020WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senator Tom Carper (D-Del.), top Democrat on the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee, joined Congressman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Congressman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-AZ), Chair of the House Natural Resources Committee, in submitting an amicus brief to the U.S. District Court for the Western District of Virginia, in the case of Wild Virginia v. Council on Environmental Quality. The … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves Mourn the Passing of TTD President Larry Willis
November 30, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Committee Sam Graves (R-MO) released the following statements on the passing of Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD) President Larry Willis: "My heart goes out to Larry's wife and daughter as well as the entire labor community, which has long known Larry as someone who dedicated his life to improving working conditions for millions of people," … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Napolitano Issue Statements on the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers’ Decision on the Pebble Mine Project
November 25, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) released the following statements after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers announced its decision on the Pebble Mine Project in Bristol Bay, Alaska, denying the permit. Chair DeFazio: “Today’s decision by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers is great news for the Bristol Bay … Continue Reading
House Chairs Seek Accounting of Political Appointees Burrowing into Career Positions at Dozens of Agencies
November 25, 2020Chairs Also Seek Information on Civil Service Jobs Being Reclassified Under Harmful New Trump Executive Order Washington, D.C. (Nov. 25, 2020)-Today, House Committee Chairs sent a letter to 61 federal agencies requesting information on conversions of political appointees to civil service positions during the Trump Administration. "Protecting the nonpartisan expertise of the career civil service is essential to the safety and security of the American people," the Chairs wrote. "The merit … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Urge GAO to Study the Risks of Air Travel During a Public Health Crisis
November 25, 2020GAO reviews could help inform future Federal response and legislation Beating COVID-19 is not the only concern; within the last two decades, there have been five other major public health epidemics with global ramifications, demonstrating the need to prepare for future outbreaks Washington, DC - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) have made a formal request to the U.S. … Continue Reading
T&I Chairs Press Pebble Limited Partnership and Army Corps for Records after Secret “Pebble Tapes” Reveal Company’s Contradictory Claims about the Mine Project’s Size and Duration
November 20, 2020Members request records regarding any plans by Pebble to expand its proposed Pebble Mine beyond what it submitted to the Army Corps in its 2017 permit application In the Members' request: "Pebble was dealing with two sets of facts, one to lure potential investors to the Pebble project and one to alleviate fears of Alaskan Natives, the U.S. Congress and Federal agencies..." Washington, D.C. - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Statements from Hearing on “Examining the Surface Transportation Board’s Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System”
November 18, 2020Washington, D.C. - The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) during today's hearing titled: "Examining the Surface Transportation Board's Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System." A recording of today's hearing can be found here. Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chairman Lipinski … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Statements on the FAA’s Decision to Unground the Boeing 737 MAX
November 18, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the following statements: Chair DeFazio: "While Congress has no direct role in today's decision, I am grateful that the FAA last year agreed to the request from Chair Larsen and myself to stand up an independent panel of experts-the Technical Advisory Board, or TAB-to review Boeing's proposed changes to the 737 … Continue Reading
T&I Committee Leaders Criticize Final FCC Vote to Reallocate Part of 5.9 GHz Spectrum Band
November 18, 2020Chair DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves join safety advocates, the U.S. Department of Transportation and state transportation agencies in all 50 states in expressing serious concerns over FCC plan to share "safety band" spectrum with unlicensed operations. Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sam Graves (R-MO) criticized the Federal … Continue Reading
In the Wake of the Boeing 737 MAX Tragedies, T&I Leaders Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan Legislation to Strengthen FAA’s Certification Process and Improve the Aviation Regulatory System
November 17, 2020The comprehensive bill, which was approved by the full Committee in September, includes nearly 30 provisions to strengthen the aircraft certification process, ensure transparency and accountability, address issues related to pilot training and cockpit automation, and lock in new requirements on the disclosure of safety-critical information Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) … Continue Reading
DeFazio-Led Bill to Reduce Financial Burdens on States and Communities Facing Disasters amid the COVID-19 Pandemic, including Wildfires and Hurricanes, Passes the House
November 17, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Representative Mike Thompson (D-CA), Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV), Chair of the House Committee on Appropriations Nita Lowey (D-NY), and Chair of the House Appropriations Subcommittee on Homeland Security Lucille Roybal-Allard (D-CA) applauded House passage of H.R. 8266, the FEMA Assistance Relief Act … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Lipinski Announce Subcommittee Hearing on Examining the Surface Transportation Board’s Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System
November 13, 2020Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Examining the Surface Transportation Board's Role in Ensuring a Robust Passenger Rail System." Members will appear by videoconference or in person in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Additional details, including witness … Continue Reading
New GAO Report Reinforces Bipartisan Concerns over Multi-Billion Dollar Coast Guard Shipbuilding Contract
November 12, 2020Washington, DC - The U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) has issued a new report that reinforces the bipartisan concerns of Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders related to the U.S. Coast Guard's (USCG) $12 billion plan and initial contract to build a new class of cutter, the Offshore Patrol Cutter (OPC). GAO undertook the study at the request of the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Full Committee Ranking Member Sam … Continue Reading
House Committee Chairs Send Dozens of Letters Directing White House and Federal Agencies to Preserve Documents
November 10, 2020Washington, D.C. (Nov. 10, 2020) - Today, Committee Chairs across the House of Representatives sent letters directing the White House and more than 50 federal agencies within their jurisdictions to comply with federal record-keeping laws and preserve information responsive to congressional subpoenas and investigations. "As the Trump Administration prepares for the transition of power to the new Biden Administration, we write to remind you that all Executive Office of the President employees … Continue Reading
After Four Years of Empty Promises from President Trump, Chair DeFazio Looks Forward to a Real ‘Infrastructure Week’ under a Biden Administration
November 08, 2020Springfield, OR - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement: "Despite all his talking and tweeting about investing in our Nation's crumbling infrastructure, President Donald Trump's most significant contribution to the conversation on infrastructure was turning Infrastructure Week into a running joke. As a result, the American people got four years of worsening congestion, increased carbon pollution, and … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio and Ranking Member Graves Request GAO Study on Safety Implications of Opening Up 5.9 GHz Spectrum Band
October 30, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Sam Graves (R-MO) sent a letter to U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) Comptroller General Gene Dodaro requesting the agency conduct a study into the safety implications of sharing more than half of the 5.9 gigahertz (GHz) spectrum band. Currently, the entire 5.9 GHz band is reserved exclusively … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Napolitano Press Trump EPA on Rollback of Limits on Toxic Wastewater Discharges from Coal Power Plants
October 27, 2020Members to EPA Administrator Wheeler: "Your proposal once again shows that the Trump administration prioritizes polluters over people, needlessly endangering our water sources and human life" Washington, D.C. - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Andrew Wheeler, a former coal … Continue Reading