Press Releases

Chair DeFazio Applauds T&I Member Effort on PFAS

January 09, 2020

Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) offered his support for H.R. 535, the PFAS Action Act of 2019. This comprehensive legislation attempts to prevent or limit human and environmental exposure to per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) related chemicals from a variety of pathways, as well as spur the cleanup of PFAS-related contamination. These so-called "forever chemicals" because of their long-term persistence … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Reacts to Trump Administration’s Proposed Rule to Gut NEPA

January 09, 2020

Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) responded to the Trump Administration's decision to move forward with a rule to enable Federal agencies to no longer consider the environmental effects of infrastructure projects. "When tackling new and critical infrastructure projects across the country, we need to consider the impacts to our environment. Pretending like our climate isn't changing is reckless and costly. Today's … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Statements from Hearing on WRDA 2020 Proposals

January 09, 2020

Washington, 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 hearing titled: "Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2020." Chair DeFazio: While we may have disagreed on certain policy matters, during his tenure, I am proud to have worked with Chairman Shuster in … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Issue Statements on Boeing’s Announcement Regarding Simulator Training for 737 MAX Pilots

January 07, 2020

Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chair Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Aviation Chair Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the following statements after Boeing announced it would recommend simulator training for all Boeing 737 MAX pilots as Boeing works toward the goal of returning the airplane to service. The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, has been investigating the … Continue Reading


Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment to Hold Hearing on Proposals for WRDA 2020

January 03, 2020

Washington, 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), announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Proposals for a Water Resources Development Act of 2020." The Subcommittee will receive testimony from Lieutenant General Todd T. Semonite, Chief of Engineers and Commanding General of the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. This hearing will … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio and Titus to GSA Administrator: Either Comply with the Subpoena for Trump Hotel Documents, or Explain Your Refusal at Public Hearing

December 23, 2019

DeFazio and Titus: "It gives us no comfort that under your direction GSA is resisting not just the legitimate efforts of the U.S. Congress but also the oversight efforts of your own internal Inspector General" Washington, DC - 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 an ultimatum to the Administrator of the U.S. General … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Statement on Dennis Muilenburg’s Departure as Boeing CEO

December 23, 2019

Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released the following statement after Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg resigned his position following two deadly crashes involving the Boeing 737 MAX: "Based on what we've discovered so far in our investigation into the design, development and certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, it's clear Dennis Muilenburg's ouster was long overdue. Under his watch, a long-admired company made a number of … Continue Reading


Amid New Report of Secretary Chao Using a Taxpayer-Funded Program to Dole Out Favors, Chair DeFazio Formally Requests DOT Inspector General Broaden Ongoing Inquiry

December 20, 2019

Washington, DC - Two months after requesting that the U.S. Department of Transportation Inspector General investigate reports that U.S. Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao and her staff gave preferential treatment for discretionary grants, today Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) formally asked the Inspector General to broaden the inquiry. In accordance with Chair DeFazio's original request, the DOT IG is currently investigating whether … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio, Rep. Malinowski Urge PHMSA to Conduct Thorough Safety Analysis of Transporting LNG by Rail

December 18, 2019

Washington, DC - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) sent a letter to the top official at the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) urging immediate action be taken to conduct a thorough analysis of the potential impacts of transporting liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail tank car. The letter was sent in response to a Notice of Proposed Rulemaking published by PHMSA in late … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Slams Trump Administration Over Continued Plans to Roll Back Protections for Nation’s Waters

December 17, 2019

Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to Administrator Andrew Wheeler of the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) expressing his strong disapproval of the Trump Administration's plans to move forward with rolling back protections for our Nation's waterways-a clear and destructive priority of this Administration. "Your repeated refusal to publicly quantify the scope of waters that would lose existing … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Statements from Hearing titled, “The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of the Aircraft’s Certification”

December 11, 2019

Washington, 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 Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) during today’s hearing titled: “The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of the Aircraft’s Certification.” Chair DeFazio: Thank you to our witnesses for being here today. This is the … Continue Reading


Reminder of Hearing on FAA Oversight of the Boeing 737 MAX Certification

December 10, 2019

Washington, DC- Reminder, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold a hearing on Wednesday, December 11, titled “The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration’s Oversight of the Aircraft’s Certification.” Members of the media are encouraged to RSVP to help the Committee plan accordingly. More information about the hearing, including witnesses, testimony, additional background information, and live webcast, can be found here … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio, Rep. Malinowski Slam PHMSA for Granting Special Permit to Move LNG by Rail, Posing Unknown Risks to Communities

December 06, 2019

Washington, DC - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Congressman Tom Malinowski (D-NJ) responded to the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) announcement that, despite repeated objections from Members of Congress, safety and environmental groups, it has granted a Special Permit to a little-known company to transport liquefied natural gas (LNG) by rail tank car from Wyalusing, PA to Gibbstown, NJ for … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio, Titus Announce Subcommittee Roundtable on DRRA Implementation

December 06, 2019

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 roundtable discussion with emergency management community stakeholders to discuss the implementation of the Disaster Recovery Reform Act (DRRA). More information about the hearing, including participant list, additional background … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Urges Action to Address Sexual Assault and Harassment After Uber Discloses Thousands of Reported Incidents in 2018

December 06, 2019

Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after Uber released its first-ever safety report, which detailed 3,000 reports of sexual assaults on U.S. rides in 2018 alone. Chair DeFazio has been pressing Uber, as well as its ridesharing competitor Lyft, to cooperate with the Committee to answer critical safety, labor, and regulatory questions. "I'm glad Uber finally agreed to release this … Continue Reading


Chairs DeFazio, Norton, Lipinski Statements from Hearing on Freight Transportation

December 05, 2019

Washington, D.C. - The following are opening remarks, from Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) during today's joint hearing titled "Where's My Stuff? Examining the Economic, Environmental, and Societal Impacts of Freight Transportation." Chair DeFazio: … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Announces Hearing on FAA Oversight of the Boeing 737 MAX Certification

December 02, 2019

Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the Committee will hold a hearing titled "The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal Aviation Administration's Oversight of the Aircraft's Certification." More information about the hearing, including witnesses, testimony, additional background information, and live webcast, can be found here once available. HEARING DETAILS "The Boeing 737 MAX: Examining the Federal … Continue Reading


Key Committee Lawmakers Question How DHS Granted Relief to Shipbuilder

November 26, 2019

Washington, D.C. -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) sent a letter to Acting Secretary of the Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Chad Wolf expressing concern over DHS' proposal to give Eastern Shipbuilding Group (ESG) extraordinary relief … Continue Reading


As the FAA Works to Finalize New Rule to Streamline Commercial Space Transportation Regulations, Committee Leaders Urge the Agency to Maintain Airspace Safety, and Efficiency, and Aerospace Leadership

November 22, 2019

Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation Garret Graves (R-LA) sent a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Stephen Dickson regarding the FAA's ongoing rulemaking to streamline current regulations to further … Continue Reading


Chair DeFazio Rails Against FCC Plans to Sell Off Spectrum to Commercial Interests at Expense of Transportation Safety

November 22, 2019

Washington, D.C. - Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to the Chairman of the Federal Communications Commission (FCC) Ajit Pai to express serious concern over the FCC's plans to sell off part of the 3.7-4.2 GHZ spectrum band and open the 5.9 GHz spectrum band to commercial and private interests. These decisions were made despite the objections of the aviation community, safety advocates, the U.S. Department of Transportation, … Continue Reading