Press Releases
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
Chair Maloney Statement from Hearing on Worldwide Presence of the Coast Guard
March 10, 2020Washington, D.C. - The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery, from Chair of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) during today's hearing titled: "The International Role of the United State Coast Guard." Chair Maloney: Good afternoon and welcome to today's hearing on The International Role of the United States Coast Guard. In my other role, as a member of the House Intelligence Committee, I am keenly aware of the … Continue Reading
Nearly One Year After Launching Its Boeing 737 MAX Investigation, House Transportation Committee Issues Preliminary Investigative Findings
March 06, 2020Washington, D.C. - Today, nearly one year after launching its investigation into the design, development, and certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Majority Staff released its preliminary investigative findings. The Boeing 737 MAX, which was certified by the FAA and entered revenue service in 2017, was involved in two fatal crashes within five months of each other that killed a total of 346 people, including 8 Americans. The aircraft … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Titus Announce Subcommittee Hearing on FEMA Priorities
March 05, 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, "FEMA's Priorities for 2020 and Beyond: Coordinating Mission and Vision." More information about the hearing, including witness testimony, additional background information, and live webcast, can be found here once … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Maloney Announce Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to Hold Hearing on Worldwide Presence of the Coast Guard
March 05, 2020Washington, DC- 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) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled "The International Role of the United State Coast Guard." More information about the hearing, including testimony, additional background information, and live webcast, can be found here once available. HEARING DETAILS "The … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Statements from Hearing on Freight and Passenger Rail
March 04, 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 Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Daniel Lipinski (D-IL) during today's hearing titled: "Funding a Robust Freight and Passenger Rail Network." Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chairman Lipinski and Ranking Member Crawford, for calling today's hearing to discuss how the Federal … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Statements from Hearing on Airline Passenger Experience
March 03, 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 Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) during today's hearing titled: "The Airline Passenger Experience: What It Is and What It Could Be." Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chair Larsen, for calling today's hearing on the airline passenger experience-and what it can and should be. I want to start by saying … Continue Reading
Congressional Delegation to Travel to California for Field Roundtable on WRDA
March 02, 2020Washington, D.C. - For your planning purposes, Chair of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) announced the Subcommittee will meet on Friday, March 6, 2020, at 10:00 a.m. in Baldwin Park, California, to conduct a roundtable on "America's Water Resources Infrastructure: Concepts for the Next Water Resources Development Act (WRDA)." This is the second field roundtable the Subcommittee is hosting in preparation for WRDA 2020. The discussion will focus on … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Announce Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Hearing on Freight and Passenger Rail
February 28, 2020Washington, DC- Today, 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) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Funding a Robust Freight and Passenger Rail Network." The hearing will discuss the benefits of both freight and passenger rail, examine the current state of the network, and address the need for continued investment through … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Announce Hearing on Airline Passenger Experience
February 28, 2020Washington, DC- 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) announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled "The Airline Passenger Experience: What it Is and What It Can Be." The hearing will examine the U.S. airline passenger experience today, how airlines are working to improve the air travel experience, and opportunities to invest in technologies or innovations that could … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Statements from Members’ Day Hearing on WRDA
February 27, 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 Members' Day Hearing to examine Members' priorities in development of the Water Resources Development Act of 2020 (WRDA). Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chairwoman Napolitano for holding this hearing and welcome to our … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Call on DOT to Prepare for Coronavirus Impacts on U.S. Travel
February 26, 2020Washington, D.C. - Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) today sent a letter to Secretary Elaine Chao of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) requesting information on how DOT plans to effectively prepare for the imminent arrival of a pandemic caused by coronavirus COVID-19 on U.S. soil. "…the lack of effective Federal-led coordination and collaboration with industry … Continue Reading
T&I Committee Advances Numerous Bipartisan Bills During Full Committee Markup
February 26, 2020Washington, DC - Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure approved a slate of bipartisan measures during the first full Committee markup of the new year, including legislation to ensure people who are affected by disasters can promptly access critical assistance, legislation to prevent the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) from taking back disaster assistance funds it has mistakenly awarded to victims, and legislation to incentivize the early completion of … Continue Reading