Press Releases
Subcommittee on Highways and Transit to Hold Hearing on Safety
April 05, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and Chair of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC), announced the Subcommittee will hold a hearing titled, "Every Life Counts: Improving the Safety of our Nation's Roadways." The hearing will explore the safety of our Nation's roads and what can be done to lower the number of traffic-related fatalities and injuries. Additional details, including … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen, Maloney, Titus, Norton, Lipinski, and Napolitano Announce Subcommittee Vice Chairs
April 04, 2019Subcommittee on Aviation Washington, D.C. - Today, Chair of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) announced Rep. Sharice Davids (D-KS) will serve as Vice Chair of the Subcommittee on Aviation in the 116th Congress. The Subcommittee on Aviation has jurisdiction over all aspects of civil aviation, including safety, infrastructure, labor, and international issues. "In just the first few months of … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio and Larsen Applaud FAA Announcement Ordering a Third-Party Review into Boeing 737 MAX
April 03, 2019Washington, D.C. - Following the announcement from the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) today that it will establish a Joint Authorities Technical Review (JATR) as part of its certification of the Boeing 737 MAX, 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: "I am glad the FAA is heeding our call to bring in an independent body into the certification … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Lipinski Statements from Hearing on “Pipeline Safety: Reviewing the Status of Mandates and Examining Additional Safety Needs”
April 02, 2019Washington, 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: "Pipeline Safety: Reviewing the Status of Mandates and Examining Additional Safety Needs." Chair DeFazio: Thank you, Chairman Lipinski and Ranking Member Crawford, for calling today's … Continue Reading
As Part of Investigation into Boeing 737 MAX Certification Process, Committee Sends Records Requests to FAA, Boeing
April 01, 2019Washington, DC- Today, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent letters to both the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and Boeing to request records related to the certification of the Boeing 737 MAX aircraft. The records and responses will help further the Committee's investigation. "As I have said before, the Committee's investigation will be deliberate, thorough, and effective," said Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR). "Understanding where things went wrong is … Continue Reading
T&I Leaders Call for Investigation of Training Provided to Foreign Pilots
March 29, 2019Washington, D.C. - The leaders of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure and the Subcommittee on Aviation today requested a federal investigation of international pilot training standards and training for commercial pilots operating outside of the United States, including training for the Boeing 737 MAX. The request from Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), … Continue Reading
Committee Approves Slate of Legislation to Support the Coast Guard, Improve Aviation Safety and Protect Local Water Quality
March 27, 2019Washington, DC- Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held a full Committee markup and approved a slate of bipartisan measures by voice vote, including the Aviation Funding Stability Act, Notice to Airmen Improvement Act, Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act, legislation to require a report on the effects of Climate Change on the Coast Guard, Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, legislation to amend the Robert T. … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Urge FAA to Conduct Third-Party Review into Boeing 737-MAX
March 26, 2019Washington, 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) sent a letter to Acting Administrator Daniel K. Elwell of the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), urging the FAA to engage an independent, third-party review composed of individuals with the technical skills and expertise to objectively assess the corrective measures proposed for the 737 MAX by Boeing. "As the … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Urge FAA to Conduct Third-Party Review into Boeing 737-MAX
March 26, 2019March 26, 2019 Daniel K. Elwell Acting Administrator Federal Aviation Administration 800 Independence Avenue, SWWashington, DC 20591 Dear Acting Administrator Elwell: It is imperative that any technical modifications proposed for the Boeing 737 MAX 8 aircraft as a result of the Lion Air Flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302 accidents, which cost the lives of 346 people, including eight Americans, are comprehensive and reliable. As you know, Federal Aviation Administration … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Statement from Hearing on “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investment in our Nation’s Airports Matters”
March 26, 2019Washington, D.C. - The following are opening remarks, as prepared for delivery by Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) during today's hearing titled: "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investment in our Nation's Airports Matters." Before we begin this hearing, I would like to take a moment to provide an update on the important work this Committee is undertaking in response to the devastating Lion Air flight 610 and Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 … Continue Reading
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to hold Markup
March 26, 2019Washington, DC- The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a Full Committee markup this Wednesday, March 27, 2019 at 10:00 am in HVC 210, Capitol Visitor Center to consider the following measures: H.R. 1108 - Aviation Funding Stability Act of 2019 H.R. 1775- To establish a task force on NOTAM improvements, and for other purposes; H.R. 367 - Pay Our Coast Guard Parity Act of 2019 H.R.1322 - To require a report on the effects of Climate Change on the Coast Guard; H.R. 1306 … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Encourages FAA/Boeing Employees to Utilize Whistleblower Page
March 22, 2019Washington, DC- Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) is encouraging any current or former officials or employees of Boeing and the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA), who are familiar with the FAA's aircraft certification program, to utilize the Committee's whistleblower webpage if they have any information that would be of interest to the Committee and its investigation into the FAA's approach to certifying the Boeing 737 MAX. The website … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Respond to EPA’s Decision to Not Extend Comment Period for Proposed WOTUS Rule
March 21, 2019Washington, 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. Environmental Protection Agency's (EPA) decision to not extend the deadline for public comments on the revised definition of Waters of the United States (WOTUS). "Over 160 of our House Colleagues, 36 Senators, Governors, state officials, agencies, businesses, and … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Announces Full Committee Hearing, “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investment in our Nation’s Airports Matters”
March 21, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the Full Committee will hold a hearing titled, "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investment in our Nation's Airports Matters." The hearing will explore the state of U.S. airport infrastructure and opportunities for Congress to increase funding for projects that will increase the ability of airports to rehabilitate aging infrastructure and prepare for unprecedented passenger … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Request DOT IG Investigation into FAA Certifying Boeing 737 MAX
March 20, 2019Washington, 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) sent a letter to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation, Calvin L. Scovel III, requesting an investigation into the Federal Aviation Administration's approach to certifying the Boeing 737 MAX. "The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee is committed to making the world's safest transportation … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Announces Whistleblower Webpage
March 19, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the addition of a whistleblower webpage to the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee website. This page is intended to serve as a resource for those who wish to share information or concerns about programs, projects, conflicts-of-interest or incidents that fall within the Committee's jurisdiction. "Whistleblowers can play an integral role in an open and transparent … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Maloney React to Coast Guard Policy of Disqualifying Transgender Persons from Service
March 18, 2019Washington, D.C. - Today, the Chair of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chair of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Sean Patrick Maloney (D-NY) reacted to the United States Coast Guard's announced policy of disqualifying service by transgender persons looking to enter the service, or those person's identified with gender dysphoria, with limited exceptions. "We are deeply disturbed by the Coast Guard's decision … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Larsen Respond to Grounding of Boeing Aircraft
March 13, 2019Washington, DC- Statement 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): "Despite repeated assurances from the FAA in recent days, it has become abundantly clear to us that not only should the 737 MAX be grounded but also that there must be a rigorous investigation into why the aircraft, which has critical safety systems that did not exist on prior models, was certified without requiring … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Statement from Hearing on “Aligning Federal Surface Transportation Policy to Meet 21st Century Needs”
March 13, 2019Washington, 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) during today's hearing titled: "Aligning Federal Surface Transportation Policy to Meet 21st Century Needs." Thank you, Chair Norton and Ranking Member Davis, for holding this hearing. Without question, the most imperative work this Subcommittee will undertake in the 116th Congress is crafting a surface transportation … Continue Reading
Chair DeFazio Statement on Crash of Ethiopian Airlines Flight 302
March 12, 2019Washington, D.C. - "In the coming days, it is absolutely critical that we get answers as to what caused the devastating crash of Ethiopian Airlines flight 302 and whether there is any connection to what caused the Lion Air accident just five months ago. I remain concerned that international aviation regulators are providing more certainty to the flying public by grounding the 737 MAX 8 than our own FAA-- the world leader in aviation safety. I spoke to senior officials at FAA yesterday to … Continue Reading