Press Releases

July 17, 2018

DeFazio, Titus Question FEMA Over Staffing Shortages, Ability to Respond to Disasters

FEMA 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


July 09, 2018

DeFazio, Napolitano Question EPA Amid Reports It Suppressed Study on Toxic Chemicals

DeFazio, 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


June 29, 2018

DeFazio, Garamendi, Larsen and Courtney Slam the Trump Administration’s Plan to Use Coast Guard Funds for ICE Enforcement

DeFazio, 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


June 28, 2018

DeFazio and Larsen Slam FAA for Deficient Oversight of Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations

DeFazio 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


June 27, 2018

DeFazio, Carper Press DOJ and EPA on the Unlawful Slowing of Enforcement of the 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. 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


June 21, 2018

Democrats Warn FRA Against Issuing PTC Exemptions

Democrats 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


June 06, 2018

House Clears Water Resources Development Act

Washington, 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


May 23, 2018

Committee Unanimously Approves Water Resources Development Act

Washington, 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


May 18, 2018

House T&I Leaders Introduce Water Resources Development Act

Washington, 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


May 17, 2018

DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation

DeFazio 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


April 27, 2018

House Overwhelmingly Passes Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill

Washington, 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


April 24, 2018

DeFazio, Carper Press EPA on Their Action to Remove Local Officials from Decisions Surrounding Clean Water Act

DeFazio, 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


April 19, 2018

DeFazio, Larsen Press DOT on Safety Oversight Following Southwest Airlines Incident and Media Exposé on Allegiant Air

DeFazio, 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


April 19, 2018

DeFazio, Larsen Press DOT on Safety Oversight Following Southwest Airlines Incident and Media Exposé on Allegiant Air

April 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


April 13, 2018

Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill Introduced in House

Long-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


April 12, 2018

Committee Approves Slate of Legislation at Full Committee Markup

Washington, 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


March 13, 2018

Top House Democrats Urge President Trump to Extend the Federal Cost Share for Debris Removal for the U.S. Virgin Islands

Top 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


March 08, 2018

DeFazio, Larsen Request Study on Airplane Cabin Evacuations

DeFazio, 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


February 15, 2018

DeFazio Statement for Hearing on Oversight of Positive Train Control

DeFazio 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


February 12, 2018

Defazio: Trump Infrastructure Proposal a Scam, Fails to Address Critical Infrastructure Needs

For 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

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