Chairman DeFazio Statement from Hearing on, “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
Remarks as delivered can be found here. Statement of The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Hearing on "The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in our Nation's Infrastructure Cannot Wait" February 7, 2019 (Remarks as prepared for delivery.) Today, we hold the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's first hearing of the 116th Congress. We are starting off by sounding the alarm bells - investing in America's infrastructure cannot wait. For … Continue Reading
February 07, 2019
House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Holds Organizational Meeting
Washington, DC—Today, the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure held its organizational meeting, where the Committee finalized subcommittee assignments and the Committee rules. “Transportation is not a partisan issue, it’s about moving people and goods more efficiently in this country and connecting us to the world,” said Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR). “Every state and territory in our country is … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
Transportation and Infrastructure Leaders Urge Trump Administration to Protect Jones Act
Washington, D.C. - Today, leaders of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure wrote a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Homeland Security (DHS) Kirstjen M. Nielsen, expressing their opposition to a request from the Governor of Puerto Rico to waive the Jones Act for ten years to allow foreign tankers to move liquid natural gas (LNG) to the island. The letter was signed by Chairman Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member Sam Graves (R-MO), Chairman of the Subcommittee on … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
House Passes Bills from Transportation and Infrastructure Committee
WASHINGTON, DC-- Today, the United States House of Representatives passed five bills from the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. These pieces of legislation will help the Pacific Northwest prepare for catastrophic earthquakes, require Congressional notification of commuter rail safety assessments, require public buildings to accommodate breastfeeding mothers, and establish a commission to commemorate Route 66. "I applaud Chair Norton, Ranking Member Davis, and Representatives … Continue Reading
February 06, 2019
REMINDER: Chairman DeFazio Announces First Full Committee Hearing, “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
Washington, DC- Tomorrow the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure will hold its first hearing of the 116th Congress on, "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 took over as Chairman of the House … Continue Reading
February 05, 2019
Chairman DeFazio Responds to The State of the Union Address
Washington, D.C. -- Chairman 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, President Trump said that investing in our transportation infrastructure should be one area where Democrats and Republicans unite. I agree-our crumbling roads, bridges, transit and rail systems, airports, and harbors impact every community across our country. "None of this can … Continue Reading
February 04, 2019
Hearing to focus on: “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
Washington, 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
January 29, 2019
Chairman DeFazio Announces First Full Committee Hearing, “The Cost of Doing Nothing: Why Investing in Our Nation’s Infrastructure Cannot Wait”
Washington, 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
January 29, 2019
Chairs DeFazio, Napolitano Press EPA for Answers on Impacts of the Shutdown
Washington, 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
January 25, 2019
Chairmen DeFazio and Larsen Respond to Aviation Delays Caused By the Government Shutdown
Washington, 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
January 24, 2019
Chairman DeFazio Announces Subcommittee Chairs for the 116th Congress
Washington, 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
January 23, 2019
Chairman DeFazio, Rep. Larsen Respond to Reported Drone Incident at Newark Airport
Washington, 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
January 22, 2019
Chairman DeFazio, Rep. Titus Press GSA on the Repeated Refusal to Respond to Questions Surrounding Trump’s Conflicts of Interest
Washington, 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
January 16, 2019
Chairman DeFazio Announces Democratic Committee Roster for the 116th Congress
Washington, 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
January 16, 2019
Top Democrats Challenge President Trump’s Authority to Use Disaster Funding for Border Wall Construction
For 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
January 09, 2019
House Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Pay Members of Coast Guard during Shutdown
Washington, 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
January 04, 2019
Rep. DeFazio Elected Chairman of House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee
Washington, 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
December 11, 2018
DeFazio, Napolitano Slam the Trump Administration’s Proposal to Rollback Clean Water Rule
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) 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
November 27, 2018
House Sends Bill to Support U.S. Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation to the President
Washington, 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
November 21, 2018
DeFazio Announces More Than $34 Million in Additional Funding For Oregon Ports
Washington, 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