Chairs DeFazio and Lipinski Statements on Amtrak Announcing Furloughs of Over 2,000 Workers Due to COVID-19 Crisis
Washington, DC - 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) issued the following statements in response to the news that Amtrak will furlough over 2,000 workers due to the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic as part of its Fiscal Year 2021 Workforce Plan: "This week, another 2,000 workers learned that they will be losing their jobs due to the effects of … Continue Reading
September 01, 2020
Huffman, DeFazio Urge EPA Administrator to Protect Bristol Bay from Pebble Mine
San Rafael, CA - Yesterday, Representatives Jared Huffman (CA-02), Chair of the Natural Resources Water, Oceans, and Wildlife Subcommittee and member of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Chair of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, led a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to use his authority to veto the flawed Final Environmental Impact Statement for the proposed Pebble Mine on the … Continue Reading
August 26, 2020
Chairwoman Titus Demands Answers from Trump Administration Over its Attempt to Dictate Architectural Style of Federal Buildings and Courthouses in Communities Across the U.S.
Washington, DC - Chairwoman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) is demanding answers from the head of the General Services Administration (GSA) about newly-released criteria for construction, which call for two new courthouses-in Florida and Alabama-to be built in the "classic architectural style." While the style may be appropriate in these two instances, GSA's newly-stated criteria signal that the Trump administration is … Continue Reading
August 26, 2020
Chairs DeFazio and Maloney Request Formal Review of U.S. Coast Guard Certified Materials After Lewd Mnemonic Device Comes to Light
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) sent a letter to the Commandant of the U.S. Coast Guard (USCG) Admiral Karl L. Schultz, calling for a formal review of USCG certified training materials after the Chairs learned of an offensive mnemonic device circulating in such material. DeFazio and Maloney wrote: "Within the USCG … Continue Reading
August 25, 2020
Chair DeFazio Statement on U.S. Army Corps Requesting Additional Review of Pebble Mine Project
Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement after the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers sent a letter to the Pebble Limited Partnership requesting additional mitigation measures regarding the Pebble Mine project in Bristol Bay, Alaska within 90 days: "As I've said all along, the Pebble Mine project should never have been allowed to move forward. The proposed mine site, in Alaska's Bristol Bay … Continue Reading
August 18, 2020
Chairs DeFazio and Napolitano Press EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler Over Rollback of Coal Ash Safeguards
The recently finalized rule by the Trump EPA would slash protections on the disposal of coal ash from power plants, endangering groundwater and the health of U.S. communities Washington, 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) sent a letter to the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) criticizing EPA Administrator Andrew Wheeler - a … Continue Reading
August 14, 2020
Committee Chairs DeFazio and Smith Lead 68 Members of Congress in Pressing President Trump on National Guard and FEMA Cost-Sharing Requirements
Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the House Committee on Armed Services Adam Smith (D-WA) led 68 Members of Congress in pressing President Trump to immediately waive National Guard and Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) cost-sharing requirements for all states and territories amid the national COVID-19 pandemic response. State, local, territorial and tribal governments' budgets have been hammered … Continue Reading
August 07, 2020
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Statements on Results of 2019 FAA Employee Survey on Safety Culture
Washington, 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) released the following statements after the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) fulfilled their request for a copy of a 2019 survey of FAA employees about the agency's safety culture. DeFazio and Larsen requested the survey last month as part of the Committee's ongoing investigation into the Boeing 737 MAX … Continue Reading
August 06, 2020
Carper, DeFazio, Grijalva Lead Bicameral Letter to White House Demanding Release of Public Records About Projects The Administration Will Fast-Track, Undermining Bedrock Environmental Protections, Under The Guise of Economic Relief
WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, U.S. Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-Del.), House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-Ore.), and House Committee on Natural Resources Chairman Raúl M. Grijalva (D-Ariz.) led 54 of their Congressional colleagues in urging the White House Council on Environmental Quality (CEQ) to release public records about the Trump Administration's implementation of the president's executive order … Continue Reading
July 31, 2020
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
Washington, 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
July 30, 2020
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Lead 18 Members of Congress on New Legislation Requiring Passengers to Wear Masks on Airplanes and in Airports
Washington, 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
July 29, 2020
Committees Launch Investigation Into Waste and Abuse in Treasury’s Payroll Support Program
Washington, 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
July 29, 2020
Chair DeFazio Applauds Passage of “Sami’s Law,” Bipartisan Legislation to Improve Ride-Share Safety
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 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
July 29, 2020
U.S. House of Representatives Passes Bipartisan Water Resources Development Act of 2020
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 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
July 28, 2020
Chair Titus Opening Remarks from Hearing on Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disasters
Washington, 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
July 24, 2020
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Decry Trump Administration’s Push to Approve Controversial Pebble Mine in Alaska’s Bristol Bay
Washington, 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
July 23, 2020
Chairs DeFazio, Titus Announce Subcommittee Hearing on Experiences of Vulnerable Populations During Disasters
Washington, 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
July 21, 2020
Chairs DeFazio, Maloney Legislation to Provide Relief to Maritime Sector Amid Ongoing COVID-19 Pandemic Passes Through House
Washington, 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
July 21, 2020
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
Washington, 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
July 21, 2020
Committee Leaders Applaud House Passage of the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2020
Washington, 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