DeFazio Leads Colleagues on Letter Urging President-Elect Biden to Take Action to Help Communities Dealing with the COVID-19 Pandemic
By waiving all Federal FEMA cost-share requirements tied to pandemic response, the Biden administration can lessen the financial burden on state, local, tribal, and territorial governments that are seeing budgets stretched thin due to the ongoing pandemic House Members to Biden: "Other than the American death toll of World War II, this pandemic and the exponential growth in infections and fatalities are unlike any other events our nation has experienced since the 1918 influenza … Continue Reading
January 11, 2021
DeFazio and Larsen Encourage FAA Administrator to Use the Full Weight of Federal Law to Protect Airline Passengers and Crews Ahead of Inauguration
After last week’s deadly insurrection at the U.S. Capitol, groups are reportedly planning to return to D.C. next week to sow discord Among other things, DeFazio and Larsen urge the FAA Administrator to both pursue stiff civil penalties against those who interfere with crewmembers’ duties, as well as refer violations to the Department of Justice and other authorities Washington, DC – Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Chair DeFazio Statement on Boeing’s $2.5 Billion Settlement with the U.S. Department of Justice
Washington, DC - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement: "This settlement amounts to a slap on the wrist and is an insult to the 346 victims who died as a result of corporate greed. Not only is the dollar amount of the settlement a mere fraction of Boeing's annual revenue, the settlement sidesteps any real accountability in terms of criminal charges. My Committee's investigation revealed numerous opportunities for … Continue Reading
January 07, 2021
Statement from Chair DeFazio on Resignation of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao
WASHINGTON - Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, today released the following statement after Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao announced her resignation: "In announcing her resignation, Secretary Chao stated that she was troubled by the traumatic and avoidable events that transpired at the Capitol yesterday. On that, she and I agree very much-and while I believe she could send a stronger signal by joining efforts to invoke the 25th … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Committee Leaders Commend Passage of Pipeline Safety Legislation
WASHINGTON - U.S. Sens. Roger Wicker, R-Miss., and Maria Cantwell, D-Wash., chairman and ranking member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and Sens. Deb Fischer, R-Neb., and Tammy Duckworth, D- Ill., chairman and ranking member of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Safety, along with Reps. Peter DeFazio, D-Ore., and Sam Graves, R-Mo., chairman and ranking member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Reps. Frank Pallone, D-N.J., and … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Chair Peter DeFazio Resolves Decades-Long Fight and Frees Up Billions of Dollars for Harbor Maintenance
WASHINGTON-Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after passage of his bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020, which includes his provision to ensure that Harbor Maintenance funds are actually used for harbor maintenance. This measure now heads to the President's desk to be signed into law. "This is a tremendous victory for Oregon's coastal communities. For decades, I have fought to unlock the Harbor … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
Chair DeFazio Applauds New Round of Aid for the Hard-Hit Transportation Sector in Omnibus and COVID Relief Legislation
The wide-ranging package includes key pieces of legislation championed by Chair DeFazio, from aircraft certification reform to the Water Resources Development Act, and more Washington, DC - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) applauded final passage of a wide-ranging spending bill that includes much-needed aid for the transportation sector, including an extension of the highly-successful Payroll Support Program for aviation employees, as … Continue Reading
December 22, 2020
House T&I and Senate Commerce Committee Leaders Applaud Passage of Comprehensive Aircraft Certification Reform and Safety Legislation
The Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act builds upon bipartisan bills passed last month in the House and Senate Commerce Committee Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO) joined Chair of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation Roger Wicker (R-MS) and Ranking Member Maria Cantwell (D-WA) to applaud final passage of historic and comprehensive … Continue Reading
December 21, 2020
DeFazio, Graves, Napolitano, and Westerman Applaud Passage of Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 in Omnibus Legislation
WRDA 2020 was approved by the House as part of the year-end legislative package and now heads to the Senate Washington, D.C. - Tonight, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) applauded the House for approving the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA) as … Continue Reading
December 18, 2020
Chair DeFazio Statement on Railroads Meeting Deadline for Full PTC Implementation
Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement in response to the news that all freight, Amtrak, intercity, and commuter railroads will meet the December 31, 2020 deadline for implementing positive train control (PTC): "The announcement that all freight, Amtrak, intercity and commuter railroads will meet the deadline for implementing positive train control is a major win for public safety-one that … Continue Reading
December 16, 2020
DeFazio, Napolitano, Beyer, and Carper File Amicus Brief over Trump Administration’s “Dirty Water Rule”
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), Representative Don Beyer (D-VA), and Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Tom Carper (D-DE) submitted an amicus brief on behalf of 74 current Members of Congress and three former Members to the U.S. District Court of Massachusetts in the case of Conservation Law … Continue Reading
December 15, 2020
Rep. Peter DeFazio Applauds Nomination of Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation
Washington, DC - Tonight, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after President-elect Joe Biden announced the nomination of Pete Buttigieg as Secretary of Transportation: "Pete Buttigieg is a strong choice to lead the Biden administration's efforts to 'Build Back Better' with infrastructure plans that not only move our country into the modern era, but also generate the economic activity that this country so … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
T&I Leaders Call on CDC and HHS to Deliver Documents Related to Cruise Line Safety Amid COVID-19 First Requested Seven Months Ago
Thousands of documents have been identified as potentially responsive, but have yet to be transmitted to Committee Washington, D.C. - Today, the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) called on the leaders of the Department of Health and Human Services (HHS) and the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) to deliver COVID-related … Continue Reading
December 10, 2020
T&I Committee Leaders Press U.S. Coast Guard to Adopt NAS Recommendations on Unmanned Systems
Members urge Commandant Admiral Schultz to adopt National Academy of Sciences recommendations to increase the Coast Guard's unmanned system capacity Washington, D.C. - Today, the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Full Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY), and Subcommittee … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
T&I’s Bipartisan Bills to Support the U.S. Coast Guard and the Maritime Administration Clear the House as Part of NDAA
Coast Guard Reauthorization includes increased funding for Polar Security Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, and shore infrastructure and facility maintenance needs New MARAD provision helps ensure reliability of the U.S. Maritime Transportation System during the event of a national emergency or disaster, including the current COVID-19 public health emergency Washington, D.C. - … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
VIDEO: Chair DeFazio Manages Floor Debate on the Water Resources Development Act of 2020
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) managed debate as the U.S. House of Representatives considered the bipartisan, bicameral agreement on the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020). "The bill under consideration today was developed in a bipartisan, bicameral manner, with input and ideas from both sides of the aisle," Chair DeFazio said in his remarks. "This legislation builds on the successes of H.R. … Continue Reading
December 08, 2020
T&I Committee Leaders Applaud House Passage of Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
WRDA 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
December 07, 2020
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
Washington, 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
December 03, 2020
Rep. Peter DeFazio Selected by Colleagues to Return as Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
Washington, 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
December 01, 2020
Carper, DeFazio, and Grijalva File Amicus Brief over NEPA Rule Changes by the Trump Administration
WASHINGTON, 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