Press Releases
Top Democrats Challenge President Trump’s Authority to Use Disaster Funding for Border Wall Construction
January 16, 2019For Immediate Release: January 16, 2019 Contact: Jen Adler (DeFazio), 202-225-4472 Evan Hollander (Lowey), 202-225-3481 Jerry O'Donnell (Napolitano), 202-225-5256 Nicole Dailey Jones (Kaptur), 202-225-5411 Top Democrats Challenge President Trump's Authority to Use Disaster Funding for Border Wall Construction Washington, D.C. - Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairwoman of the House Committee on Appropriations Nita … Continue Reading
House Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Pay Members of Coast Guard during Shutdown
January 09, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS), and Representatives John Garamendi (D-CA), and Brian Mast (R-FL) introduced the Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019 (H.R. 367), bipartisan legislation that would provide funding for the United States Coast Guard and ensure that active duty and reserve members of the Coast Guard are paid during the … Continue Reading
Rep. DeFazio Elected Chairman of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
January 04, 2019Washington, DC- Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement after his selection as Chairman of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee for the 116th Congress: "Every state and territory in our country is profoundly affected by the decisions made in this committee. Our communities and businesses depend on our network of roads, bridges, airports, rail, ports, and public transit to move people and goods safely, whether it is across town, across the country, or … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Napolitano Slam the Trump Administration’s Proposal to Rollback Clean Water Rule
December 11, 2018Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment Grace Napolitano (D-CA) released the following statements after the Trump administration released a proposal to significantly limit which of our Nation's waterways are protected by the Clean Water Act. "Today, too many Americans are uncertain whether their drinking water is safe for themselves and … Continue Reading
House Sends Bill to Support U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to the President
November 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - The House of Representatives today voted unanimously to send to the President's desk a bipartisan, bicameral bill to reauthorize, support, and strengthen the U.S. Coast Guard and to reauthorize and update the authorities of the Federal Maritime Commission. The Frank LoBiondo Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2018 (S. 140) authorizes funding for the Coast Guard, one of the Nation's five armed services, through fiscal year 2019 and supports the Service's plans to recapitalize … Continue Reading
DeFazio Announces More Than $34 Million in Additional Funding For Oregon Ports
November 21, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced that the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) will allocate an additional $34.5 million in Fiscal Year 2019 to critical maintenance and safety projects at ports along the Oregon coast. "Oregon's ports are the lifeblood of coastal economies and rely on federal funding to maintain navigation channels and to ensure the safety of those channels for commercial fishing and … Continue Reading
House and Senate Democrats Urge Secretary Chao to Reject Industry Bid to Gut California Meal and Rest Break Rules
October 31, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, nineteen Democratic Representatives and Senators sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao, strongly urging her to deny a petition submitted by the American Trucking Associations (ATA) requesting a determination that the State of California's meal and rest break rules are preempted by Federal law. "Our objection to an administrative determination of preemption is unequivocal. After more than four years of debate on this … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Napolitano Ask for GAO Investigation Into EPA’s Enforcement of Clean Water Protections
October 18, 2018Washington, D.C. -- Today, on the 46th anniversary of enactment of the Clean Water Act, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter to the U.S. Government Accountability Office (GAO) requesting an investigation into the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) implementation and enforcement of the Clean Water Act, … Continue Reading
House and Senate Committee Leaders Announce Agreement on Long-term FAA and Disaster Program Reform Legislation
September 22, 2018Washington, D.C. - House and Senate Committee leaders tonight announced that they have reached a bipartisan final agreement on legislation that provides long-term stability and critical reforms to the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and transforms federal disaster programs to better prepare communities for disaster. The agreement also includes a reauthorizations and reforms of the Transportation Security Administration (TSA) and the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB). The … Continue Reading
DeFazio Slams PHMSA For Eliminating Meal and Rest Breaks for Truck Drivers Transporting Hazardous Materials
September 20, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) condemned the Trump Administration for a decision to eliminate critical meal and rest breaks enacted by the State of California for truck drivers transporting hazardous materials. In a notice submitted to the Federal Register, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) ruled that "California's meal and rest break requirements are preempted for all operators … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Capuano Lead Bipartisan Letter Opposing DOT Action to Waive Safety, Drug Testing Rules and Allow Railroads to Employ Foreign Crews
September 17, 2018Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Ranking Member Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a bipartisan letter, signed by 27 Members of Congress, to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao expressing opposition to a petition filed by Kansas City Southern Railway (KCSR) requesting a waiver of critical Federal safety and inspection … Continue Reading
House Sends Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to Senate with Unanimous Vote
September 13, 2018The House of Representatives today unanimously approved bipartisan, comprehensive water resources infrastructure legislation, which includes the Water Resources Development Act of 2018 (WRDA). The bill will improve America's harbors, ports, waterways, flood protection, and other vital water infrastructure. The America's Water Infrastructure Act of 2018 (S. 3021), approved today by voice vote, is the product of negotiations and agreement between House and Senate committees with jurisdiction … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Titus Request Hearing On GSA’s Efforts to Hide White House Involvement in New FBI Headquarters Plan
September 13, 2018DeFazio, Titus Request Hearing On GSA's Efforts to Hide White House Involvement in New FBI Headquarters Plan GSA IG report found GSA intentionally misled Congress about costs and White House influence Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Ranking Member Dina Titus (D-NV) sent a letter to Committee on Transportation and … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Titus Urge FEMA Not to Shut Down Emergency Power Generators In Puerto Rico This Summer
July 24, 2018According to letter, FEMA will end emergency power restoration mission by August 18 Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Ranking Member Dina Titus (D-NV) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long, urging FEMA to continue the operation of three mega-generators providing power for Puerto … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Carper Press Acting EPA Administrator on Enforcement of the Clean Water Act
July 19, 2018Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works Ranking Member Tom Carper (D-DE) sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to uphold the agency's mission of protecting human health and the environment and reject former Administrator Scott Pruitt's blatant assaults on Clean Water Act (CWA) protections. In June … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Garamendi Respond to American Maritime Partnership Study about the Effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico
July 18, 2018DeFazio, Garamendi Respond to American Maritime Partnership Study about the Effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Ranking Member John Garamendi (D-CA) responded to a study released by the American Maritime Partnership, about the effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico's economy. The study was completed by … Continue Reading
DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Extend the Deadline to Complete Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Rule
July 18, 2018Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced H.R. 6414, legislation to extend by 18 months the deadline for the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and tribal leaders to develop and issue a rulemaking on tribal transportation self-governance. The deadline for final completion of the negotiated rulemaking under the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program, as required by section 1121 of the FAST … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Norton Slam Trump Administration Efforts to Slow Down Transit Projects
July 17, 2018New DOT instructions adds uncertainty, unnecessary delays, and increased costs to transit projects Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao, slamming the administration for creating new burdens and layers of bureaucracy designed to … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Titus Question FEMA Over Staffing Shortages, Ability to Respond to Disasters
July 17, 2018FEMA is short-staffed in the midst of tornado, hurricane, wildfire, and storm season Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Dina Titus (D-NV) sent a letter to the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long, asking FEMA to respond to serious questions related to FEMA's depleted … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Napolitano Question EPA Amid Reports It Suppressed Study on Toxic Chemicals
July 09, 2018DeFazio, Napolitano Question EPA Amid Reports It Suppressed Study on Toxic Chemicals Demand documents on toxic chemical that has contaminated drinking water and groundwater near military bases Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and the Environment Grace Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter to U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator … Continue Reading