Press Releases
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
DeFazio, Garamendi, Larsen and Courtney Slam the Trump Administration’s Plan to Use Coast Guard Funds for ICE Enforcement
June 29, 2018DeFazio, Garamendi, Larsen and Courtney Slam the Trump Administration's Plan to Use Coast Guard Funds for ICE Enforcement Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member of the House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation John Garamendi (D-CA), along with Co-Chairs of the Congressional Coast Guard Caucus Rick Larsen (D-WA) and Joe Courtney (D-CT) sent a letter to Office of Management … Continue Reading
DeFazio and Larsen Slam FAA for Deficient Oversight of Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations
June 28, 2018DeFazio and Larsen Slam FAA for Deficient Oversight of Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations FAA has 'flagrantly disregarded' Congressional mandates to require that foreign repair station workers be screened for drugs and alcohol 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 Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Carper Press DOJ and EPA on the Unlawful Slowing of Enforcement of the Clean Water Act
June 27, 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. Department of Justice (DOJ) Attorney General Jeff Sessions and U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting information surrounding the Administration's unprecedented inaction on enforcement of the Clean Water Act. Last year, Inside EPA … Continue Reading
Democrats Warn FRA Against Issuing PTC Exemptions
June 21, 2018Democrats Warn FRA Against Issuing PTC Exemptions Urge FRA to Tighten Regulations to Encourage Compliance with PTC Law Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Members of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Michael Capuano (D-MA), along with Representatives Steve Cohen (D-TN) and Jim Cooper (D-TN), sent a letter to the Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) warning … Continue Reading
House Clears Water Resources Development Act
June 06, 2018Washington, D.C. - The U.S. House of Representatives today overwhelmingly approved the Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018 (H.R. 8), bipartisan legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure that is essential to economic growth and American competitiveness. The bill passed by a vote of 408 to 2. The legislation authorizes proposed U.S. Army Corps of … Continue Reading
Committee Unanimously Approves Water Resources Development Act
May 23, 2018Washington, D.C. - The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today unanimously approved the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. Today's approval marks the third Water Resources Development Act approved by the Committee under Chairman Shuster's leadership, and follows the transparent … Continue Reading
House T&I Leaders Introduce Water Resources Development Act
May 18, 2018Washington, DC - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders today introduced the bipartisan Waster Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2018 (H.R. 8) was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking … Continue Reading
DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation
May 17, 2018DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and all Democratic members of the Committee introduced H.R. 5857, the "Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act," legislation that requires passenger airlines, commuter and intercity passenger railroads, transit agencies, operators of passenger vessels, and … Continue Reading
House Overwhelmingly Passes Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill
April 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - By a vote of 393 to 13, the House of Representatives today approved the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration, provide much needed long-term stability for the Nation's aviation community, authorize robust investment in U.S. airports, improve America's competitiveness in the global aviation sector, strengthen passenger protections, and ensure the safety of the system for the … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Carper Press EPA on Their Action to Remove Local Officials from Decisions Surrounding Clean Water Act
April 24, 2018DeFazio, Carper Press EPA on Their Action to Remove Local Officials from Decisions Surrounding Clean Water Act Washington, 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) Administrator Scott Pruitt requesting information surrounding the EPA's decision to strip local EPA officials, who are … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Larsen Press DOT on Safety Oversight Following Southwest Airlines Incident and Media Exposé on Allegiant Air
April 19, 2018DeFazio, Larsen Press DOT on Safety Oversight Following Southwest Airlines Incident and Media Exposé on Allegiant Air Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Aviation Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation Secretary Elaine Chao expressing concerns regarding the Federal Aviation Administration's (FAA) oversight of airlines and aircraft repair … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Larsen Press DOT on Safety Oversight Following Southwest Airlines Incident and Media Exposé on Allegiant Air
April 19, 2018April 19, 2018 The Honorable Elaine L. Chao Secretary U.S. Department of Transportation 1200 New Jersey Avenue S.E. Washington, D.C. 20590 Dear Secretary Chao: Less than two days after a provocative media exposé on weak Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversight of a low-cost carrier, the longest period in history without a fatality in a U.S. passenger airline accident ended with the death of a passenger due to an engine failure followed by an explosive … Continue Reading
Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill Introduced in House
April 13, 2018Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill Introduuced in House Washington, D.C. - Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today introduced the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration, provide long-term stability for the Nation's aviation community, continue investment in U.S. airports, and make necessary reforms to improve American competitiveness and safety in aviation. H.R. 4 … Continue Reading
Committee Approves Slate of Legislation at Full Committee Markup
April 12, 2018Washington, D.C. - This morning, the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure convened a legislative markup and unanimously approved the following measures that span a wide range of important issue areas: H.R. 5294 - Treating Barriers to Prosperity Act - clarifies that funding for the Appalachian Regional Commission (ARC) may be used to address the opioid crisis in Appalachia and to mitigate impacts on the Region's workforce and job growth. H.R. 3288 - Northern Border Regional … Continue Reading