Press Releases
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
Top House Democrats Urge President Trump to Extend the Federal Cost Share for Debris Removal for the U.S. Virgin Islands
March 13, 2018Top House Democrats Urge President Trump to Extend the Federal Cost Share for Debris Removal for the U.S. Virgin Islands Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the House Committee on Homeland Security Bennie G. Thompson (D-MS) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump urging him to extend the Federal cost share for debris removal and emergency protective measures for the U.S. Virgin … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Larsen Request Study on Airplane Cabin Evacuations
March 08, 2018DeFazio, Larsen Request Study on Airplane Cabin Evacuations Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent a letter to the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation requesting an examination of the Federal Aviation Administration's commercial airplane evacuation standards. Full text of the letter can be found … Continue Reading
DeFazio Statement for Hearing on Oversight of Positive Train Control
February 15, 2018DeFazio Statement for Hearing on Oversight of Positive Train Control In case you missed it, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure delivered the following remarks at the February 15, 2018 hearing on Oversight of Positive Train Control Implementation in the United States. Delivered remarks can be found here. Remarks as prepared for delivery are below. Statement of The Honorable Peter DeFazio Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Full … Continue Reading
Defazio: Trump Infrastructure Proposal a Scam, Fails to Address Critical Infrastructure Needs
February 12, 2018For Immediate Release: February 12, 2018 Contact: Jen Adler (DeFazio), 202-225-4472 Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following response to the release of President Donald Trump's infrastructure proposal: "For more than a year, we have been hearing from President Trump about a big, beautiful infrastructure proposal. Now, it turns out President Trump's plan is embarrassingly small. … Continue Reading
Congressman Peter DeFazio Delivers Weekly Democratic Address
February 09, 2018Congressman Peter DeFazio Delivers Weekly Democratic Address Washington, D.C. - Congressman Peter DeFazio of Oregon, Ranking Member on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, delivered the Weekly Democratic Address. In this week's address, DeFazio denounced President Trump's harmful plan to privatize critical government functions and create windfalls for Wall Street, and highlighted Democrats' A Better Deal to Rebuild America, a bold infrastructure proposal unveiled by House … Continue Reading
DeFazio Releases Report Showing Serious Gaps in DOT’s Drug and Alcohol Testing Program
February 08, 2018DeFazio Releases Report Showing Serious Gaps in DOT's Drug and Alcohol Testing Program Drug use among transportation workers has significantly increased since 2006 Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released a Democratic staff report that found there are significant gaps in the U.S. Department of Transportation's (DOT) drug and alcohol testing program and highlighted the risk to our transportation system … Continue Reading
DeFazio Announces Changes to the Democratic Leadership and Membership of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure
February 06, 2018DeFazio Announces Changes to the Democratic Leadership and Membership of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Washington, D.C. -- Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced changes to the Democratic Leadership and membership of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. The Democratic Caucus of the Committee unanimously elected Representative Dina Titus (D-NV) to serve as Ranking Member … Continue Reading
DeFazio Responds to The State Of The Union Address
January 31, 2018DeFazio Responds to The State Of The Union Address Washington, D.C. -- Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after the State of the Union address by President Donald Trump: “Tonight, I had hoped that President Trump would provide Congress with his vision for a real, robust plan to invest at least $1 trillion to rebuild our nation’s crumbling roads, bridges, ports, airports, water infrastructure and … Continue Reading
DeFazio Response to The State Of The Union Address
January 30, 2018For Immediate Release: January 30, 2018 Contact: Jen Adler (DeFazio), 202-225-4472 Washington, D.C. -- Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) released the following statement after the State of the Union address by President Donald Trump: “Tonight, I had hoped that President Trump would provide Congress with his vision for a real, robust plan to invest at least $1 trillion to rebuild our … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Capuano Press Amtrak on Improving Safety Culture and Speeding the Installation of Positive Train Control
January 16, 2018DeFazio, Capuano Press Amtrak on Improving Safety Culture and Speeding the Installation of Positive Train Control Washington, D.C.—Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a letter to Amtrak President and Chief Executive Officer Richard Anderson requesting a detailed update on Amtrak’s safety culture and … Continue Reading
Top Democrats Introduce Legislation to Speed Up PTC Implementation, Prevent Further PTC Extensions
January 11, 2018Top Democrats Introduce Legislation to Speed Up PTC Implementation, Prevent Further PTC Extensions Legislation would provide funding for PTC implementation and prevent new passenger rail service on routes without PTC Washington, D.C. -- Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Michael Capuano (D-MA) introduced legislation that would speed … Continue Reading
Top Transportation Democrats Urge President Trump to Immediately Fill Long-Vacant Seats on the Surface Transportation Board
January 03, 2018Top Transportation Democrats Urge President Trump to Immediately Fill Long-Vacant Seats on the Surface Transportation Board Washington, D.C. -- Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a letter to President Donald J. Trump, strongly urging him to immediately appoint qualified individuals to fill long-vacant … Continue Reading
DeFazio, Capuano Request PTC Status Update from Chao, Plan to Introduce PTC Legislation in January
January 02, 2018DeFazio, Capuano Request PTC Status Update from Chao, Plan to Introduce PTC Legislation in January Washington, D.C. - Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Michael Capuano (D-MA) sent a letter to Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao requesting a detailed status update on where the railroads are in fully implementing critical Positive Train … Continue Reading
Top Transportation Democrats Push for Stronger Buy America Requirements, Request Copy of Buy America Report
December 18, 2017Top Transportation Democrats Push for Stronger Buy America Requirements, Request Copy of Buy America Report Washington, D.C. -- Today, the Ranking Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Commerce (Commerce) Wilbur Ross and Director of the Office of Management and Budget (OMB) Mick Mulvaney offering their strong support for strengthening Buy America and Buy American laws. In the letter, the Democrats applaud … Continue Reading
DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Safety of Air Transportation of Lithium Batteries
December 14, 2017DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Strengthen Safety of Air Transportation of Lithium Batteries Washington, D.C.—Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced H.R. 4643, the Safe Air Transport of Hazardous Materials Act of 2017, legislation that provides the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) with authority to regulate hazardous materials transported onboard aircraft and eliminates barriers to the United States … Continue Reading
Committee Approves Disaster Recovery Reform and Human Trafficking Legislation at Markup
November 30, 2017This morning, the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee approved sweeping FEMA reform legislation, as well as two bills to address human trafficking on the Nation's highways. "This morning's markup demonstrated what our Committee can accomplish through bipartisan consensus," said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA). "We approved significant FEMA reform legislation that shifts our focus to predisaster mitigation in the wake of a historic hurricane … Continue Reading