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
October 31, 2018
House and Senate Democrats Urge Secretary Chao to Reject Industry Bid to Gut California Meal and Rest Break Rules
Washington, 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
October 18, 2018
DeFazio, Napolitano Ask for GAO Investigation Into EPA’s Enforcement of Clean Water Protections
Washington, 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
September 22, 2018
House and Senate Committee Leaders Announce Agreement on Long-term FAA and Disaster Program Reform Legislation
Washington, 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
September 20, 2018
DeFazio Slams PHMSA For Eliminating Meal and Rest Breaks for Truck Drivers Transporting Hazardous Materials
Washington, 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
September 17, 2018
DeFazio, Capuano Lead Bipartisan Letter Opposing DOT Action to Waive Safety, Drug Testing Rules and Allow Railroads to Employ Foreign Crews
Washington, 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
September 13, 2018
House Sends Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to Senate with Unanimous Vote
The 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
September 13, 2018
DeFazio, Titus Request Hearing On GSA’s Efforts to Hide White House Involvement in New FBI Headquarters Plan
DeFazio, Titus Request Hearing On GSA's Efforts to Hide White House Involvement in New FBI Headquarters Plan GSA IG report found GSA intentionally misled Congress about costs and White House influence Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Ranking Member Dina Titus (D-NV) sent a letter to Committee on Transportation and … Continue Reading
July 24, 2018
DeFazio, Titus Urge FEMA Not to Shut Down Emergency Power Generators In Puerto Rico This Summer
According to letter, FEMA will end emergency power restoration mission by August 18 Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management Ranking Member Dina Titus (D-NV) sent a letter to Federal Emergency Management Agency (FEMA) Administrator Brock Long, urging FEMA to continue the operation of three mega-generators providing power for Puerto … Continue Reading
July 19, 2018
DeFazio, Carper Press Acting EPA Administrator on 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. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Acting Administrator Andrew Wheeler urging him to uphold the agency's mission of protecting human health and the environment and reject former Administrator Scott Pruitt's blatant assaults on Clean Water Act (CWA) protections. In June … Continue Reading
July 18, 2018
DeFazio, Garamendi Respond to American Maritime Partnership Study about the Effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico
DeFazio, Garamendi Respond to American Maritime Partnership Study about the Effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and House Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Ranking Member John Garamendi (D-CA) responded to a study released by the American Maritime Partnership, about the effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico's economy. The study was completed by … Continue Reading
July 18, 2018
DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Extend the Deadline to Complete Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Rule
Washington, D.C. -- Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) introduced H.R. 6414, legislation to extend by 18 months the deadline for the United States Department of Transportation (DOT) and tribal leaders to develop and issue a rulemaking on tribal transportation self-governance. The deadline for final completion of the negotiated rulemaking under the Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Program, as required by section 1121 of the FAST … Continue Reading
July 17, 2018
DeFazio, Norton Slam Trump Administration Efforts to Slow Down Transit Projects
New DOT instructions adds uncertainty, unnecessary delays, and increased costs to transit projects 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 Highways and Transit Eleanor Holmes Norton (D-DC) sent a letter to Secretary of the Department of Transportation (DOT) Elaine Chao, slamming the administration for creating new burdens and layers of bureaucracy designed to … Continue Reading
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