Press Releases
Hearing to focus on: “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
February 04, 2019Washington, DC- The status of our Nation's roads, bridges, transit systems, clean water systems, ports and inland waterways, and airports, the trillion-dollar backlog of maintenance and repair needs, and the increasing costs of Federal inaction will be the subject of this week's hearing. The hearing is scheduled to begin at 9:30 a.m. on Thursday, February 7th, 2019, in HVC 210, Capitol Visitors Center. Witnesses: Panel 1: The Honorable Tim Walz, Governor, State of Minnesota; on behalf of … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio Announces First Full Committee Hearing, “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
January 29, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the first full committee hearing of the 116th Congress, "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation's Infrastructure Cannot Wait". The hearing will examine the current state of the Nation's highways, bridges, transit systems, ports, and airports, the trillion-dollar backlog of maintenance and repair needs, and the increasing costs of Federal inaction. "When I … Continue Reading
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Press EPA for Answers on Impacts of the Shutdown
January 29, 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 Representative Grace F. Napolitano (D-CA) sent a letter to Acting Administrator of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Andrew Wheeler requesting information on impacts of the recent government shutdown, and the subsequent lapse in appropriations. "We are deeply concerned about the impacts of the recent … Continue Reading
Chairmen DeFazio and Larsen Respond to Aviation Delays Caused By the Government Shutdown
January 25, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) issued statements in response to the delays to our aviation system caused by the absurd government shutdown. "For 35 days, the dedicated air traffic controllers who guide 43,000 flights a day and keep millions of Americans safe each year have gone to work knowing that they will not be paid. Today marks the second time … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio Announces Subcommittee Chairs for the 116th Congress
January 24, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the election of Members to serve as Chair for each of the Committee's six subcommittees in the 116th Congress. "These are six dedicated, highly experienced, diverse Members of Congress who will provide each subcommittee with the leadership it needs," said Chairman Peter DeFazio. "The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio, Rep. Larsen Respond to Reported Drone Incident at Newark Airport
January 23, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and senior member of the committee Representative Rick Larsen (D-WA), responded to news that Newark Liberty International Airport was forced to halt all air traffic after two pilots reported seeing a drone flying nearby. "Thankfully, no one was injured yesterday, but let me be clear, this incident could have had a tragic ending. Irresponsible drone users have caused serious … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio, Rep. Titus Press GSA on the Repeated Refusal to Respond to Questions Surrounding Trump’s Conflicts of Interest
January 22, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and senior member of the committee Representative Dina Titus (D-NV), sent a letter to the Administrator of the General Services Administration (GSA) Emily Murphy demanding responses to the many questions that have been completely ignored, surrounding President Trump serving as both a landlord and tenant of the Old Post Office Building (OPO). The letter comes after a GSA Inspector … Continue Reading
Chairman DeFazio Announces Democratic Committee Roster for the 116th Congress
January 16, 2019Washington, DC- Today, Chairman of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) announced the selection of Democratic Members to serve on the Committee in the 116th Congress. Selections were made by the Democratic Steering and Policy Committee and approved by the Democratic Caucus. "The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee has a long history of working in a bipartisan way to get things done for the American people," said Chairman DeFazio. "Today we are … Continue Reading
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