Press Releases
Chairs DeFazio and Thompson Introduce Legislation to Rein in Federal Protection Statute that Trump Administration is Using as Cover for Civil Rights Abuses in Portland, Oregon
July 31, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security, Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Representative Suzanne Bonamici (D-OR), and Representative Earl Blumenauer (D-OR) introduced the "Prevent Federal Law Enforcement Abuse in the Protection of Federal Property Act," legislation to strengthen and clarify 40 U.S. Code § 1315, the statute the Trump administration is abusing in order to … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Lead 18 Members of Congress on New Legislation Requiring Passengers to Wear Masks on Airplanes and in Airports
July 30, 2020Washington, D.C. - Even though COVID-19 infections continue to surge across the U.S., the Trump administration refuses to issue commonsense requirements to mitigate the spread of the disease, including in air travel. So 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) led 18 Members of Congress in the introduction of the Healthy Flights Act of 2020, which will provide a set of uniform … Continue Reading
Committees Launch Investigation Into Waste and Abuse in Treasury’s Payroll Support Program
July 29, 2020Washington, D.C. (July 29, 2020) - Today, Rep. James E. Clyburn, Chairman of the Select Subcommittee on the Coronavirus Crisis, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, and Rep. Maxine Waters, Chairwoman of the Committee on Financial Services, launched an investigation into the disbursement of federal funds from the Payroll Support Program to aviation contractors that recently laid off thousands of workers. In a letter to the Treasury Department, the … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Applauds Passage of “Sami’s Law,” Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Ride-Share Safety
July 29, 2020Washington, 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 Sami's Law (H.R. 4686). This legislation, sponsored by Representatives Chris Smith (R-NJ) and Thomas Suozzi (D-NY), would require transportation network companies (TNCs) such as Uber and Lyft to establish and implement a system allowing passengers to verify the driver they have been matched with when using the company's … Continue Reading
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
July 29, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Ranking Member Bruce Westerman (R-AR) applauded House passage of the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). WRDA 2020 provides authority for … Continue Reading
Chair Titus Opening Remarks from Hearing on Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disasters
July 28, 2020Washington, D.C. - The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) during today's hearing titled: "Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disaster." Chair Titus: Before we get started today, I want to recognize the loss of our friend and colleague, Congressman John Lewis. Congressman Lewis dedicated his life in service to this nation and to the goal of a … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Decry Trump Administration’s Push to Approve Controversial Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay
July 24, 2020Washington, D.C. - 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) issued the following statements after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers released its final Environmental Impact Statement (EIS) regarding the Pebble Mine project. The proposed mine site, in Alaska's Bristol Bay Watershed, is one of the last pristine salmon habitat environments remaining in the … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Titus Announce Subcommittee Hearing on Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disasters
July 23, 2020Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disaster." Members will appear by videoconference or in person in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Additional details, including witness lists, can be found here once … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Maloney Legislation to Provide Relief to Maritime Sector Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Passes Through House
July 21, 2020Washington, D.C. -Today, the Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA), introduced by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and the Elijah E. Cummings Mariner Workforce Development Act introduced by Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) as well as two other provisions relating to and supporting the maritime industry passed through the House as part of a DeFazio … Continue Reading
As COVID-19 Stretches FEMA Thin and Hurricane and Wildfire Seasons Ramp Up, House and Senate Committee Leaders Demand Administration Work to Fill Neglected Senior Leadership Vacancies at the Agency
July 21, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR); Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS); Ranking Member of the Senate Committee on Homeland Security and Governmental Affairs Gary Peters (D-MI); Chair of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV); and Chair of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, & Recovery Donald M. … Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Applaud House Passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020
July 21, 2020Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives passed the bipartisan Elijah E. Cummings Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020, legislation to authorize funds for, reinforce, and support the United States Coast Guard, as part of the National Defense Authorization Act (NDAA). The House passed similar legislation in July of 2019, but the Senate failed to act. The bill passed today has been negotiated with Senate committee leaders and now heads to the Senate to be reconciled in conference … Continue Reading
Amid Ongoing Investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX, Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Ask FAA Administrator to Provide Results of Employee Survey on Safety Culture
July 20, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, as part of their ongoing investigation into the design, development and certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA), asked the top official at the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) for a copy of a 2019 survey of FAA employees about the agency's safety culture. Notably, the survey of the Office of Aviation Safety includes FAA … Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Demand Trump Administration Develop Plan to Respond to Natural Disasters in Midst of COVID-19
July 16, 2020Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ), Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Science, Space, and Technology Chairwoman Eddie Bernice Johnson (D-TX) sent a letter to Vice President Mike Pence today demanding that the White House direct all federal agencies to develop contingency plans for responding to natural disasters such as storms, floods, fires and extreme heat this year in light of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic. "Our … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Condemn Trump Administration for Weakening Environmental Review Process That Has Protected Public Health and Ensured Public Participation Since 1970
July 15, 2020Washington, DC - 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) today condemned the Trump administration for finalizing a rule to gut the environmental review process under the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). For more than 50 years, the NEPA process has been vital to public health and ensuring public participation in major environmental … Continue Reading
Bipartisan WRDA 2020 Voted Favorably Out of Committee, Heads to House Floor for a Vote
July 15, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure voted the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA 2020) favorably out of Committee, where it now heads to the House Floor for a vote. This legislation provides authority for the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) to carry out water resources development projects and studies, as well as policy direction to the Corps for implementation of its Civil Works missions. "I am pleased that today the … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Opening Remarks from WRDA Markup
July 15, 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 Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) during today's markup of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020. Chair DeFazio: On Monday, I was joined by Ranking Member Graves, Subcommittee Chairwoman Napolitano, and Subcommittee Ranking Member Westerman in introducing the … Continue Reading
As COVID-19 Cases Spike Across U.S., Chair DeFazio Applauds Newly-Added Mask Requirement in THUD Appropriations Bill
July 14, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after the House Committee on Appropriations advanced the Transportation, Housing and Urban Development, and Related Agencies (THUD) bill with a newly-added provision requiring masks on airplanes, large public transit systems, and Amtrak trains and ensuring transportation workers in these sectors who interact with passengers are provided necessary … Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
July 13, 2020This legislation is critical to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA), and Water Resources and Environment Ranking … Continue Reading
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold Markup
July 13, 2020Washington, DC- The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a Full Committee markup Wednesday, July 15, at 10:00AM EDT to consider the following: H.R. __, The Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (introduction expected prior to consideration) Other matters cleared for consideration. Members will appear by videoconference or in person in 2167 Rayburn House Office Building. Additional details can be found here once available. The markup will be livestreamed … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Maloney Introduce Legislation to Provide Relief to Maritime Sector Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic
July 09, 2020Washington, 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) introduced The Maritime Transportation System Emergency Relief Act (MTSERA), legislation designed to provide relief to those in the maritime industry during a national emergency such as the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic or natural disasters. The legislation comes on the heels … Continue Reading