Press Releases
Rahall: "Our highways will not keep humming along on hope alone"
February 03, 2014The Honorable Nick J. Rahall Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure “Building the Foundation for Surface Transportation Reauthorization” January 14, 2013 Mr. Chairman, thank you for holding this important hearing. Today, we launch the Committee’s work on a surface transportation reauthorization bill. We have before us a tremendous opportunity as well as a great responsibility: to prudently use the power and the purse of the Federal Government to improve the conditions … Continue Reading
Rahall: House Transportation Committee to Examine Elk River Chemical Spill at Charleston Field Hearing
January 29, 2014Rahall: House Transportation Committee to Examine Elk River Chemical Spill at Charleston Field Hearing Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, D-WV, announced Wednesday that the U.S. House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, on which he serves as lead Democrat, will hold a Congressional field hearing in Charleston, West Virginia, on February 10th to examine the Elk River Chemical spill. The hearing is slated to take place at 9:00 a.m., at the Kanawha County … Continue Reading
Rahall, Committee Members Kickoff WRRDA Conference
November 19, 2013The Honorable Nick J. Rahall, II Ranking Member Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Conference Committee on H.R. 3080, the “Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013”and the Senate Amendment November 20, 2013 Madam Chairman, let me begin by congratulating you on being elected as Chairman of the Conference and welcoming all of the Members of the Conference. As we discussed yesterday with Chairman Shuster and Ranking Member Vitter, we all come here with a … Continue Reading
WRRDA Moves Forward with House Conferee Appointments
November 14, 2013Washington - Today, Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV) issued the following statements after House Speaker John Boehner (R-OH) and Minority Leader Nancy Pelosi (D-CA) named the members selected to serve on the House-Senate conference committee tasked with resolving the differences between the Water Resources Reform and Development Act (H.R. 3080) and the Senate’s version of the water resources … Continue Reading
Special T&I Panel Releases Report on Improving U.S. Freight Transportation
October 29, 2013Washington, DC - The Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation, led by the panel’s Chairman, U.S. Rep John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN) and Ranking Member Jerrold Nadler (D-NY), released its final report today on the current state of freight transportation in the United States and its recommendations for freight transportation improvements to strengthen the U.S. economy. The special panel of the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee was established by Full Committee Chairman Bill Shuster … Continue Reading
Rahall Urges Passage of Bipartisan, Pro-Jobs Water Resources Bill
October 22, 2013Rahall Urges Passage of Bipartisan, Pro-Jobs Water Resources Bill Floor Statement The Honorable Nick Rahall II, Ranking Member H.R. 3080: The Water Resources Reform Development Act of 2013 October 23, 2013 I am pleased to rise today to support H.R. 3080: “the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013.” This legislation provides important direction to the Army Corps of Engineers to meet its mission objectives and reform their planning and construction processes while … Continue Reading
Transportation Leaders Introduce FEMA Reauthorization Act of 2013
October 21, 2013Washington, DC - Today, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA); Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV); Emergency Management Subcommittee Chairman Lou Barletta (R-PA); and Emergency Management Subcommittee Ranking Member Andre Carson (D-IN) introduced the first ever reauthorization of the Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) to improve our Nation’s emergency management capabilities, modernize and strengthen critical components of our preparedness … Continue Reading
Rahall: Shutdown is Compromising Transportation Safety
October 11, 2013Calls on Speaker Boehner to End Standoff Washington, DC - In a letter to House Speaker John Boehner, U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, warned of the detrimental impact that the ongoing government shutdown is having on the safety of the Nation’s transportation network. Many routine inspections designed to ensure the safety of the traveling public have been suspended over the last twelve days. Furloughed transportation safety inspectors … Continue Reading
Committee Passes Water Resources Reform and Development Act
October 04, 2013Washington, DC - The Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure today unanimously approved bipartisan water resources reform legislation that cuts federal red tape and bureaucracy, streamlines the infrastructure project delivery process, fosters fiscal responsibility, and strengthens our water transportation networks to promote America’s competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth. H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), was introduced in the House … Continue Reading
Transportation Committee Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Water Resources Reform and Development Act (WRRDA)
September 11, 2013Washington, DC - Committee leaders today introduced unprecedented bipartisan water resources reform legislation that cuts federal red tape and bureaucracy, streamlines the infrastructure project delivery process, promotes fiscal responsibility, and strengthens our water transportation networks to promote America’s competitiveness, prosperity, and economic growth. H.R. 3080, the Water Resources Reform and Development Act of 2013 (WRRDA), was introduced in the House by Transportation and … Continue Reading
Rahall Addresses 11th Annual West Virginia Aviation Conference
August 15, 2013Remarks of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall, II Ranking Member Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure 11th Annual West Virginia Aviation Conference August 11, 2013 Thank you for your kind introduction. I am thrilled to be here to help kick off the 11th Annual West Virginia Aviation Conference. It is a pleasure to be surrounded by so many aviation aficionados and industry experts devoted to ensuring a safe and reliable aviation system here in West Virginia. It is because of … Continue Reading
Remarks of Ranking Member Rahall; CSX Suppliers Conference
August 15, 2013Remarks of U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall Ranking Member, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure CSX Suppliers Conference August 16, 2013 It is great to be here today and I thank you for that kind introduction. Often when I get to speak with groups like yours, we meet in Washington, at Congressional meeting rooms and nondescript convention halls. It is much nicer to be here at this historic and timeless venue - The Greenbrier - just a short drive up the road from my home … Continue Reading
At Rahall’s Request, DOT IG to Review Safety of Nation’s Bridges
August 05, 2013Washington, DC - The Department of Transportation’s Inspector General (DOT IG) announced this afternoon that his office will conduct a comprehensive audit of the Federal Highway Administration’s (FHWA) management and oversight of measures designed to ensure the safety of the nation’s bridges. The audit was requested by U.S. Rep Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, earlier this year following the collapse of the I-5 Bridge in Washington State. “I am … Continue Reading
On 80th Anniversary of Public Works Administration, Rendell and Rahall to Call for Increased Infrastructure Investment
July 10, 2013On 80th Anniversary of Public Works Administration, Rendell and Rahall to Call for Increased Infrastructure Investment Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and former Pennsylvania Governor Ed Rendell will join together tomorrow to commemorate the 80th Anniversary of the Public Works Administration and highlight the need for greater investment in job-creating American infrastructure. Rahall recently introduced the … Continue Reading
Rahall’s SAFE Bridges Act Attracts Broad Support
June 20, 2013Rahall’s SAFE Bridges Act Attracts Broad Support Washington, DC - A broad coalition of labor, industry, and business groups have endorsed the Strengthen and Fortify Existing Bridges (SAFE Bridges) Act,” legislation introduced yesterday by Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall and Democrats on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. The bill would provide $5.5 billion to start to reduce the backlog of the more than 150,000 structural deficient and functionally obsolete bridges across the … Continue Reading
Rahall, Transportation Leaders Introduce Legislation to Repair Nation’s Aging Bridges
June 19, 2013SAFE Bridges Act Provides $5.5 billion for Bridge Replacement & Rehabilitation Washington, DC - Driven by the recent collapse of the I-5 Bridge in Washington State, U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV) and Congressional Transportation leaders today introduced legislation that significantly increases Federal investment in the Nation’s bridge infrastructure. The Strengthen and Fortify Existing Bridges (SAFE Bridges) Act, provides $5.5 billion to start to reduce the backlog of the more than … Continue Reading
To Ensure Safety of Nation’s Bridges, Rahall Calls for Expedited Inspection Requirements
June 12, 2013To Ensure Safety of Nation’s Bridges, Rahall Calls for Expedited Inspection Requirements Washington, DC - Following the recent collapse of the I-5 Bridge in Washington State, U.S. Rep Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, is calling for the accelerated implementation of new inspection standards and reporting requirements to ensure the safety of the nation’s bridges. In a letter today, Rahall asked Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood to swiftly … Continue Reading
House Republicans Push Bill Waiving U.S. Permit for Foreign Pipeline Company
May 22, 2013HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH BILL WAIVING U.S. PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PIPELINE COMPANY What’s next, deeming driver’s licenses issued? WASHINGTON, D.C. - In what U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) termed as a “mockery” of the importance of building the Keystone XL Pipeline in the U.S., the House today debated Republican backed legislation that says the project does not even require a permit, deeming the proposal approved. Rahall, a proponent of building the Keystone XL Pipeline who supported pro-pipeline … Continue Reading
Rahall on Keystone Pipeline: "If there is no permit, it ain't legit"
May 15, 2013Mr. Chairman, as you know, this committee has primary jurisdiction over H.R. 3 and two secondary committees of jurisdiction have already considered the bill. So I begin by thanking you for holding this markup session. Whether one agrees with the bill or not, you are preserving our committee’s jurisdiction rather than waiving it which occurred last Congress. I support the Keystone Pipeline project. I believe it will be an important element in our domestic energy infrastructure. Last … Continue Reading
Rahall Statement on FAA Contract Towers Decision
May 09, 2013WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement Friday following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to continue funding contract air traffic control towers at the nation’s airports through September 30, 2013: "The FAA's decision to continue contract tower operations is on the glide path Congress intended when we gave the agency the flexibility to keep our skies safer with … Continue Reading