Press Releases
STB Reverses Ill-Conceived Proposals That Would Have Led to Significant Amtrak Delays
July 28, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) applauded the announcement that the Surface Transportation Board (STB) has reconsidered two proposals that would have significantly delayed Amtrak train travel throughout Oregon and the United States. In December 2015, the STB proposed that freight railroads, not passenger rail service, should have priority on shared rail lines across the United States. The STB also … Continue Reading
Oregon Representatives Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Protect Communities, Establish Emergency Response Account for Rail Accidents
July 13, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, members of Oregon's Congressional Delegation introduced the bipartisan Community Protection and Preparedness Act (H.R. 5786), legislation that creates a new trust fund to help communities prepare for accidents involving rail cars transporting flammable liquids, including crude oil and ethanol. The legislation was sponsored by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), and co-sponsored by Representatives Greg Walden … Continue Reading
House Passes Bipartisan FAA Extension
July 10, 2016The House of Representatives today unanimously approved a bipartisan Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension that ensures the FAA is funded through September 30, 2017, and that provides a limited number of important safety, security, and time-sensitive improvements for the U.S. aviation system. Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sponsored the measure, H. Res. … Continue Reading
DeFazio Urges the STB to Reject Complaint That Would Benefit Companies Using Unsafe Rail Tank Cars
July 07, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR), sent a letter to the Surface Transportation Board (STB), urging them to reject a complaint that would benefit companies that transport hazardous materials, including crude oil, in outdated, unsafe rail tank cars. On April 25, 2016, the American Fuel & Petrochemical Manufacturers (AFPM) filed a formal complaint with the STB against BNSF Railway Company (BNSF), alleging … Continue Reading
Rep. Carson's opening statement at hearing on: “Independent Leasing Authorities: Increasing Oversight and Reducing Costs of Space Leased by Federal Agencies”
July 05, 2016Statement of The Honorable Andrè Carson Ranking Member, Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee "Independent Leasing Authorities: Increasing Oversight and Reducing Costs of Space Leased by Federal Agencies" July 6, 2016 Good morning. Welcome to today's hearing about the use of independent leasing authority. On behalf of the Subcommittee, Chairman Barletta and I requested two … Continue Reading
House and Senate Leaders’ Joint Statement on FAA Extension Agreement
July 05, 2016House and Senate Leaders' Joint Statement on FAA Extension Agreement WASHINGTON - Washington, DC - Leaders of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee today announced they have reached a bipartisan, bicameral agreement on a Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) extension through September 30, 2017, that will provide important safety, security, and time-sensitive improvements for the U.S. aviation … Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeFazio' Statement on FAA Rules for Commercial Drones
June 21, 2016WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member Peter DeFazio released the following statement on the newly released FAA rules for commercial drones: “As the number of drones in the United States continues to increase at dramatic rates, it is critical that the FAA safely integrate drones into our nation’s complex and congested airspace. Today, the FAA announced new rules that are intended to create certainty and predictability for safe authorized operations – to protect all users … Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeFazio's Opening Statement on T&I Hearing:" Improving the Safety and Reliability of the Washington Metro"
May 24, 2016Statement of The Honorable Peter A. DeFazio Subcommittee on Highways and TransitHearing on "Improving the Safety and Reliability of the Washington Metro" May, 24, 2016 Today, we are examining the consequences of a failing public transportation infrastructure system in our nation's capital region. There are multiple reasons for this failure, but the single most important reason is our lack of commitment nationwide to rebuilding our infrastructure. We patch, we fill cracks, we … Continue Reading
Rep. Grace Napolitano's statement on H.R. 876, the Zika Vector Control Act
May 24, 2016Statement of The Honorable Grace F. Napolitano, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment On H.R. 897, the Zika Vector Control Act May 24, 2016 Mr. Speaker, I rise, again, in strong opposition to H.R. 897. To be clear, H.R. 897 was not created to respond to the Zika. Up until two weeks ago, this so-called "Reducing Regulatory Burdens Act," was drafted to relax our laws protecting public health to reduce the paperwork burdens on commercial pesticide … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Carson's opening statement at hearing: “Border Station Construction: Minimizing Costs and Leveraging Private Dollars"
May 18, 2016Statement of the Honorable Andrè Carson Ranking Member , Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee "Border Station Construction: Minimizing Costs and Leveraging Private Dollars" May 18, 2016 Good morning. I'd like to thank Chairman Barletta for holding this important hearing. I'd also like to welcome each of our witnesses. The General Services Administration (GSA) … Continue Reading
DeFazio Blasts Republicans For Using Zika Crisis to Gut Clean Water Act
May 16, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Representative Peter DeFazio (D-OR) blasted House Republican leadership for attempting to pass legislation that exempts commercial pesticide application from Clean Water Act regulation under the guise of protecting public health from the threat of the Zika virus. The legislation, renamed last week the "Zika Vector Control Act" (H.R. 897), does not actually mention Zika in the legislative text and was first introduced in 2009. The fast-tracked legislation required a … Continue Reading
Ranking Member Carson's opening statement at hearing: “Controlling the Rising Cost of Federal Response to Disaster”
May 12, 2016Statement of The Honorable André Carson, Ranking Member Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure "Controlling the Rising Cost of Federal Response to Disaster" May 12, 2016 Good morning and welcome to today's hearing. While we have several prominent witnesses today, I would especially like to welcome Mr. Kevin Mickey from the great Hoosier State. Mr. Mickey is the Director … Continue Reading
Bipartisan Bill Introduced to Stop Short-Sighted DOT Decision to Allow Norwegian Air Operations in the U.S.
April 27, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), Rick Larsen (D-WA), and Lynn Westmoreland (R-GA), introduced H.R. 5090, legislation that would prevent the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) from permitting a foreign air carrier to operate between European countries and the United States unless the carrier complies with basic, fair U.S. or European Union labor standards. The legislation was introduced in response to the DOT's tentative decision to … Continue Reading
Top Transportation Committee Leaders Urge DOT to Deny Norwegian Air Permit to Operate In United States
April 26, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Representatives Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), and Rick Larsen (D-WA) sent a letter to the Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) urging him to deny Norwegian Air International (NAI) a permit to operate in the United States in violation of our Open Skies Agreement with Norway and the European Union. "Norwegian Air's overt practice of labor forum-shopping gives it an unfair competitive advantage in the transatlantic market. U.S. and other … Continue Reading
S. 2276, the PIPES Act of 2016
April 19, 2016S,2276, THE "PROTECTING OUR INFRASTRUCTURE OF PIPELINES AND ENHANCING SAFETY ACT OF 2016" PIPES Act Short Summary PIPES Act, Section by Section PIPES Act, Fact … Continue Reading
Democrats Introduce Legislation to Help Communities Fund Clean Water Infrastructure Projects
April 14, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment Grace Napolitano (D-CA) introduced legislation that will help communities finance critical clean water infrastructure projects. The "Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2016", would invest $20 billion over five years in wastewater infrastructure through the Clean Water State Revolving … Continue Reading
RANKING MEMBER ANDRÈ CARSON OPENING STATEMENT: “BLACKOUT! ARE WE PREPARED TO MANAGE THE AFTERMATH OF A CYBER-ATTACK
April 14, 2016Statement of the honorable Andrè Carson Ranking Member, Subcommittee on economic development, public buildings and emergency management house transportation and infrastructure committee "Blackout! Are We Prepared to Manage the Aftermath of a Cyber-Attack or Other Failure of the Electrical Grid?" April 14, 2016 Good morning. I want to thank Chairman Barletta for scheduling today's hearing and join him in welcoming today's witnesses. The electrical grid is … Continue Reading
DeFazio Fights Proposals That Would Significantly Delay Amtrak Train Travel in Oregon
April 12, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) urged the Surface Transportation Board (STB) to reconsider two proposals that would significantly delay Amtrak train travel throughout Oregon and the United States. The STB recently proposed that freight railroads, not passenger rail service, should have priority on shared rail lines across the United States. This proposal ignores a federal law that clearly states Amtrak … Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeFazio and Congressman Cohen Seek Answers to TVA Pension Cuts
April 11, 2016[WASHINGTON, DC] - Congressman Peter DeFazio (OR-04), Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and Congressman Steve Cohen (TN-09), member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today sent a letter to Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA) President and CEO Bill Johnson seeking answers to questions regarding TVA's historical contributions to its pension system, the pending TVA Retirement System modifications, and the impact that these changes would … Continue Reading
96 Democrats Request Increased Funding to Protect Drinking Water, Repair Failing Water Infrastructure
March 14, 2016Washington, 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 Energy and Commerce Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ) led nearly 100 Democrats on a letter sent to the House Appropriations Committee, requesting critical funding to protect drinking water and repair failing water infrastructure systems. The letter requests that the fiscal year 2017 Interior Appropriations bill includes a minimum of $2 … Continue Reading