Press Releases
Chair DeFazio Statement on Newly-Released Bridge Report Highlighting 1 in 3 U.S. Bridges are in Need of Repair
April 13, 2020Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) highlighted the American Road & Transportation Builders Association's (ARTBA) newly-released analysis that shows 230,000 U.S. bridges are in need of repair and 46,000 are "structurally deficient" and in poor condition as another example of why we can't wait to invest in our infrastructure. Chair DeFazio has long urged significant Federal investment in the Nation's crumbling … Continue Reading
House Chairs Condemn President’s Assault on IGs
April 10, 2020Washington, D.C. (Apr. 10, 2020)-Today, the chairs of multiple House Committees sent a lettercondemning President Donald Trump's assault on Inspectors General (IGs) and requesting direct input from the Council of the Inspectors General on Integrity and Efficiency on legislative and other proposals to increase the independence of IGs and protect them from retaliation. "Unlike any President in modern history, President Trump has engaged in offensive and unjustified attacks against Inspectors … Continue Reading
Committee Leaders Reaffirm Bipartisan Opposition to Any Effort to Waive the Jones Act and Jeopardize U.S. Maritime Jobs
April 02, 2020Washington, 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 Ranking Member Bob Gibbs (R-OH) released the following joint statement after reports that the Administration is considering waiving the Jones Act. The Jones Act is a U.S. law that requires American vessels be … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Joins Colleagues to Discuss Infrastructure Priorities for a Future Economic Stimulus Package
April 01, 2020Springfield, OR - Today, days after Congress passed the $2.2 trillion CARES Act to provide resources for public health and help for millions of workers and families, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) joined House Speaker Nancy Pelosi, House Majority Whip James Clyburn, and Chair of the House Committee on Energy and Commerce Frank Pallone on a press call to discuss potential next steps for a long-term economic recovery package. Chair DeFazio … Continue Reading
House Committee Chairs Request Extension of Public Comment Periods During Coronavirus National Emergency
April 01, 2020Washington, D.C. - Fourteen House Committee Chairs sent a letter to Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Acting Director Russell Vought today requesting an immediate extension of public comment periods, hearings and meetings due to the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. The Committee leaders asked that OMB direct agencies to extend public comment periods by at least 45 days beyond the end of the declared national emergency. The letter was signed by Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Applauds Inclusion of Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund Language in the CARES Act
March 31, 2020Washington, DC - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) offered his support for the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act," which includes critical protections proposed by the Committee for workers in the Nation's transportation sectors as well as language to help ensure funds collected in the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund are used for their intended purpose-harbor maintenance. Fixing the Harbor Maintenance Trust Fund (HMTF) … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Offers His Support for Putting American Families and Workers First in Third COVID-19 Relief Package
March 27, 2020Washington, DC - Today, the U.S. House of Representatives passed the "Coronavirus Aid, Relief, and Economic Security (CARES) Act," sending it to the president's desk to be signed into law. This legislation is the third in a series of relief packages related to the COVID-19 pandemic, and includes critical protections offered by the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure for workers in the Nation's transportation sectors. This package also includes increases in funding for agencies … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio Applauds DHS for Responsibly Delaying REAL ID Compliance Deadline
March 26, 2020Washington, DC -Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) applauded Acting Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Secretary Chad Wolf for his decision to delay the REAL ID compliance deadline to October 1, 2021. Last week, DeFazio joined Chair of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Lou Correa (D-CA) to call on Acting Secretary Wolf to delay the … Continue Reading
Thompson, DeFazio, Payne, Titus Urge Trump to Eliminate Cost Share for States Under Coronavirus Disaster Declarations
March 24, 2020March 24, 2020 (WASHINGTON) - Today, Rep. Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), Chairman of the Committee on Homeland Security, Rep. Peter A. DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Donald M. Payne, Jr. (D-NJ), Chairman of the Subcommittee on Emergency Preparedness, Response, and Recovery, and Rep. Dina Titus (D-NV), Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management, sent a letter to President Trump urging him … Continue Reading
T&I Committee Helps Secure Key Provisions for Workers and Families in New House Bill to Address the Impacts of the Coronavirus
March 24, 2020Washington, DC – The House Democrats’ newly-introduced legislation, H.R. 6379, the “Take Responsibility for Workers and Families Act,” includes multiple provisions that will help millions of workers in the aviation, railroad, and public transit sectors, as well as families that are at risk of losing water and wastewater services during the coronavirus crisis. Importantly, the bill also puts critical guardrails on financial assistance for air carriers, meaning … Continue Reading
Chairman Peter DeFazio Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
March 20, 2020Washington, D.C. - Chairman Peter DeFazio of Oregon delivered the Weekly Democratic Address. In this week's address, the Chairman of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee discussed the importance of transportation in securing our health and financial well-being, as well as House Democrats' commitment to workers and families in our response to coronavirus. Video and audio of the Weekly Democratic Address can be downloaded here. Below is a full transcript of the address: "Hi, I'm … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Titus Urge Economic Development Administration to Assist Businesses Amid COVID-19 Pandemic
March 18, 2020Washington, D.C. - 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) sent a letter to Assistant Secretary of Commerce for Economic Development John Fleming requesting that Economic Development Administration (EDA) programs respond as quickly as possible to businesses impacted by the COVID-19 pandemic. "Our American citizens are bravely … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Show Support for U.S. Army Corps of Engineers and FEMA Working Together in Response to COVID-19 Outbreak
March 18, 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) responded to the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) mission assignment from the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to engage in planning for alternate medical facilities, in response to the COVID-19 (Coronavirus) outbreak. "We need to utilize every tool we have at our discretion to … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Thompson and Correa Call for the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) to Delay the REAL ID Act Implementation Deadline
March 16, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Transportation and Maritime Security Lou Correa (D-CA) called on Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Acting Secretary Chad Wolf to delay the October 1, 2020, REAL ID Act implementation deadline. Citing the impact of COVID-19, the limited number of Americans with compliant … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Titus Issue Statements on President’s National Emergency Declaration in Response to the Coronavirus Pandemic
March 13, 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) issued the following statements after President Trump invoked the Stafford Act, which allows the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to coordinate a national response to the coronavirus pandemic. The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure has … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Blasts CEQ on Trump Administration’s Attempt to Undermine Nation’s Bedrock Environmental Laws
March 11, 2020Washington, D.C. - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to the Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) opposing the Trump administration's proposed rule to fundamentally re-write the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. "I write in strong opposition to the Council on Environmental Quality's (CEQ) proposed rule to fundamentally re-write the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) regulations. I urge you to … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Titus Statements from Hearing on FEMA Priorities
March 11, 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 Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) during today's hearing titled: "FEMA's Priorities for 2020 and Beyond: Coordinating Mission and Vision." Chair DeFazio: Thank you Chair Titus, and thank you Administrator Gaynor for being here today. As you … Continue Reading
Congressional Leaders Call on FEMA to Approve Disaster Recovery Aid to Permanently Restore Infrastructure in Puerto Rico
March 10, 2020Washington, D.C. - After two Congressional delegation trips to Puerto Rico to examine disaster recovery and response efforts, House Majority Leader Steny Hoyer (D-MD) and Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) led a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Peter Gaynor urging him to approve permanent repair or replacement assistance to help communities recover from recent natural disasters on the island. "The damages … Continue Reading
Pallone & DeFazio Ask Water Utility Companies to Stop Shutting Off Water Service in Midst of Coronavirus Outbreak
March 10, 2020Washington, D.C. - Energy and Commerce Chairman Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) and Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement today urging water utility companies across the country to avoid shutting off water service in the midst of the coronavirus outbreak: "Today we are asking water utility companies across the country to stop shutting off water service to residents and families for nonpayment. Now is no time to compromise Americans' … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Issue Statements Marking the First Anniversary of the Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 Crash
March 10, 2020Washington, D.C. - 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) expressed their condolences to the families and friends of the victims of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302. On March 10, 2019, 157 people died when their Boeing 737 MAX aircraft crashed shortly after taking off from Addis Ababa, Ethiopia, killing everyone on board. This was the second crash of the new 737 MAX aircraft within … Continue Reading