Press Releases
DeFazio Statement on the House Passage of WRDA
December 08, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) issued the following statement after the U.S. House of Representatives passed the Water Infrastructure Improvements for the Nation Act (WIIN), which authorizes funding for the Army Corps of Engineers (Corps) navigation, flood control, and environmental restoration projects. "For months, I worked with my Republican counterparts on a WRDA bill that strengthened coastal … Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeFazio Reacts to DOT Decision to Grant NAI Permit
December 02, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, Ranking Member DeFazio released the following statement following DOT's decision to grant NAI Permit: "Today, the Department of Transportation granted Norwegian Air International's U.S. foreign air carrier permit. DOT's decision has guaranteed a race to the bottom in our transatlantic aviation market. 'Norwegian' is a virtual airline, set up under a flag of convenience to exploit weak labor laws in other countries like Singapore, save money, and undercut … Continue Reading
Top Oversight and Transportation Committee Dems Request Briefing and Documents from GSA on President-Elect Trump’s D.C. Hotel Lease
November 30, 2016Washington, D.C. (Nov. 30, 2016)-Today, Rep. Elijah E. Cummings, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, Rep. Peter DeFazio, Ranking Member of the and House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure, Rep. Gerry Connolly, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Government Operations, and Rep. André Carson, Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings and Emergency Management, sent a letter to the General Services … Continue Reading
Transportation Democrats to Republican Leaders: Don’t Shortchange Surface Transportation Funding in the Continuing Resolution
November 28, 2016Washington, D.C. - Today, top Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to leaders on the House Committee on Appropriations, urging them to fully fund job-creating investments in our transportation infrastructure in the upcoming Continuing Resolution (CR). In December 2015, Congress enacted the FAST Act, which increased badly needed investment in our Nation's transportation infrastructure by almost $2.4 billion over fiscal year 2016. Given the … Continue Reading
Democrats Raise Serious Concerns Facing Air Traffic Control Privatization Plan
November 15, 2016Washington, D.C.-- Today, Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Aviation Rick Larsen (D-WA) again highlighted major concerns about security, safety, and implementation issues facing any proposal to privatize the nation's air traffic control (ATC) system. Their comments come on the same day that the Government Accountability Office (GAO) found that aviation experts are deeply divided and unable to … Continue Reading
Democratic Committee Leaders Ask DOT to Investigate Colonial Pipeline Company
November 02, 2016WASHINGTON, DC - Energy and Commerce Committee Ranking Member Frank Pallone, Jr. (D-NJ),Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Energy and Power Ranking Member Bobby Rush (D-IL), Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials Ranking Member Michael Capuano (D-MA), and Energy and Commerce Subcommittee on Oversight and Investigations Ranking Member Diana DeGette (D-CO) … Continue Reading
House Democrats Release Report, Urge Republicans to Connect Low Income People to Jobs with Higher Investment for Crumbling Transit Systems
October 26, 2016House Democrats Release Report, Urge Republicans to Connect Low Income People to Jobs with Higher Investment for Crumbling Transit Systems Washington, D.C.-Today, Democrats on the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure released a new report that details the dichotomy of the Republican majority's "A Better Way" budget framework and the need to connect low income people to jobs with affordable, reliable public transit. "Since the 1970s, studies have shown that … Continue Reading
House Democrats Release Clean Water Report on the 44th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act
October 18, 2016House Democrats Release Clean Water Report on the 44th Anniversary of the Clean Water Act Washington, D.C.-Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Democrats released a new report detailing the House Republican failure to protect the health of our rivers, streams, lakes, and coastal waters from pollution and contamination. The report, titled "The Party of Pollution: An Analysis of the Republican Majority's Failure to Protect Clean Water", also highlights years of … Continue Reading
DeFazio Criticizes Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration After Report Finds Lack of Progress on Rulemakings
October 17, 2016EUGENE, OR-Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) raised concerns with the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) after a report released by the Department of Transportation Inspector General (IG) found serious issues with the implementation of critical recommendations regarding pipeline and hazardous materials safety. In February 2015, DeFazio requested the IG investigation and expressed serious concerns … Continue Reading
House Democrats Urge Federal Oversight of New Jersey Transit, Release of Safety Audit
October 14, 2016WASHINGTON, DC-Today, top Democratic leaders from the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure sent a letter to U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Secretary Anthony Foxx urging that the Department take immediate actions to ensure the safe operation of New Jersey Transit (NJ Transit). The letter also requests that DOT publicly release a recent safety audit of NJ Transit. The letter was signed by Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter … Continue Reading
DEFAZIO PUSHES TO PROTECT COMMUNITIES FROM DANGEROUS OIL TRAIN ACCIDENTS
October 06, 2016EUGENE, OR-Today, Ranking Member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sent a letter to Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT) Anthony Foxx, pushing for stronger rules that will better protect and prepare communities and local officials when catastrophic crude oil train accidents occur. DeFazio's letter was sent as DOT and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) finalize new rules to require railroads to … Continue Reading
Ranking Member DeFazio Dear Colleague: Oppose the Graves Amendment (#10)
September 27, 2016September 28, 2016 Oppose the Graves Amendment (#10) Which Waives Davis-Bacon Worker Protections to H.R. 5303, the Water Resources Development Act of 2016 Dear Colleague: I strongly urge you to vote "no" on the Graves Amendment (#10) to H.R. 5303, the "Water Resources Development Act of 2016", which waives the prevailing wage protections provided by the Davis-Bacon Act for water resources projects carried out by non-Federal interests. This amendment claims to find … Continue Reading
Congressional Transportation Leaders Announce Selection of the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants Award Winners
September 07, 2016U.S. Reps. Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Chairman and Ranking Member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, and U.S. Sen. Sherrod Brown (D-OH), Ranking Member of the Senate Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs Committee, today released the following joint statement on the selection of the Buses and Bus Facilities Competitive Grants award winners by the Federal Transit Administration: "The FAST Act provided clear direction to the Federal Transit … Continue Reading
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