Press Releases

MEDIA ADVISORY -- Transportation Committee Democratic Leaders to Hold Press Conference Thursday

July 06, 2011

Washington, D.C. - Democratic leaders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee will hold a press conference tomorrow after Committee Republicans roll out a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization proposal. Who:             -Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), Ranking Member of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure-Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR), Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit-Other Democratic Committee Leaders What:Democratic response to … Continue Reading


Rahall: Republican Plan to Abolish Amtrak a ‘Transcontinental Tragedy’

June 22, 2011

Washington, D.C.- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee held a hearing today to receive testimony on a controversial and potentially unconstitutional Republican bill to privatize Amtrak that would put it out of business by auctioning off its assets to the highest bidder. “The non-partisan Congressional Research Service has determined that this proposal is unconstitutional because it violates the Appointments Clause of the Constitution.  It is also likely that the proposal … Continue Reading


House Committee Passes Rahall Bill to Rein in EPA

June 22, 2011

Washington, D.C.- The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today approved bipartisan legislation introduced by U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the Committee, and U.S. Representative John Mica (R-FL), Chairman of the Committee, aimed at reining in EPA’s overreach in the Clean Water Act permitting process that is threatening the future of coal mining jobs and communities throughout Appalachia. “For far too many years now, my State and others throughout the … Continue Reading


Rahall: Republican Plan to Abolish Amtrak ‘Death Knell’ for Passenger Rail Service in America

June 15, 2011

Washington, D.C.- Republicans on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today unveiled a controversial partisan proposal to privatize Amtrak that will destroy American jobs, imperil passenger rail service nationwide, and increase costs for the federal government, states, commuter rail agencies, freight railroads, small businesses, and American taxpayers. “Taking a play out of President Bush’s book, Republicans are dusting off a chronically unpopular proposal that will cripple … Continue Reading


Subcommittee Panel Holds Hearing on Creating Maritime Jobs and Increasing U.S. Exports

June 14, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today held an oversight hearing on creating jobs and increasing U.S. exports by enhancing the Marine Transportation System. The Subcommittee received testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable David Matsuda, Administrator, Maritime Administration; Mr. Joseph J. Cox, President and CEO, Chamber of Shipping of America; Mr. Michael Roberts, Chief Counsel, Crowley … Continue Reading


Rahall Delivers Transportation Message to the White House

June 02, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today joined the House Democratic Caucus in a meeting with President Barack Obama at the White House on the federal debt.  Rahall discussed with the President the importance of investing in America’s transportation infrastructure to create jobs and keep our economy moving throughout the 21st century. “The message I delivered to the President was about the … Continue Reading


Rahall Legislation Reinforces Indian Tribe Sovereignty during Major Disasters and Emergency Situations

May 24, 2011

Washington, D.C.- As Joplin, Missouri, recovers from the single deadliest tornado since officials began keeping records in 1950, U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today introduced bipartisan legislation that would solidify Indian Country’s tribal sovereignty during major disasters and emergency situations. “This has been a priority for Indian Country for over a decade and upon enactment will treat Indian tribes as … Continue Reading


Rahall Introduces

May 13, 2011

CWCFA … Continue Reading


Rahall Addresses 2011 International Transportation and Economic Development Conference

May 02, 2011

Charleston, WV- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today spoke at the 2011 International Transportation and Economic Development Conference (I-TED) in Charleston. Below are Rahall’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: Remarks of U.S. Representative Nick J. RahallDemocratic Ranking Member, House Committee on Transportation & InfrastructureInternational Transportation Economic Development ConferenceCharleston, WVMay 2, … Continue Reading


Rahall: Republican “Road to Ruin” Budget Destroys Hundreds of Thousands of American Transportation Jobs

April 15, 2011

Washington, D.C.- As America’s economy picks up steam after the worst recession since the Great Depression, the House of Representatives today passed the Republican “Road to Ruin” Fiscal Year 2012 Budget Resolution (H. Con. Res. 34) that will destroy hundreds of thousands of American transportation jobs. “This Budget slashes investments in our people - from ending Medicare as we know it to destroying the family-wage jobs of highway construction - all the while, providing a double-digit … Continue Reading


Subcommittee Panel Holds Hearing on Improving and Streamlining the Coast Guard’s Acquisition Program

April 13, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today held an oversight hearing on the status of the U.S. Coast Guard’s current acquisition programs, as well as the policies and procedures the Service uses to determine mission needs requirements and the assets needed to meet those requirements. The Subcommittee received testimony from the following witnesses: Vice Admiral John Currier, Deputy Commandant for Mission Support, … Continue Reading


Panel Holds Hearing on Railroad and Hazardous Materials Transportation Programs

April 07, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials today held a hearing on railroad and hazardous materials transportation programs in preparation for drafting a surface transportation reauthorization bill. Below is the opening statement of U.S. Representative Corrine Brown (D-FL), Democratic Ranking Member of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, as prepared for delivery: Statement of the … Continue Reading


Rahall Statement on Republican FY 2012 Budget Blueprint

April 05, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today released the following statement after House Republicans released their budget blueprint for Fiscal Year 2012, which proposes to cut $318 billion in federal transportation investments from current levels over the next decade, including cuts of more than $150 billion of contract authority for highway, highway safety, transit, and airport construction … Continue Reading


Controversial Republican FAA Bill Destroys American Jobs, Breaks Promise with Rural Americans, Denies Voice to American Workers

April 01, 2011

Washington, D.C.- Just one week after two airliners landed at Washington National Airport without landing clearances due to an alleged sleeping air traffic supervisor, Republicans in the House of Representatives today passed legislation that will decrease air passenger safety, destroy American jobs, deny a voice to working Americans, and diminish aviation and economic options for rural communities. “’Do more with less:’ that is how the Republicans think the FAA will operate under this bill.  … Continue Reading


Rahall: Republican FAA Bill Sends American Jobs into Thin Air

March 31, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today led efforts in the House of Representatives to fend off attempts by Republicans to decrease air passenger safety, destroy American jobs, and diminish aviation and economic options for rural communities. The House today began debate on the “FAA Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2011” (H.R. 658), a controversial four-year reauthorization of the Federal … Continue Reading


Rahall Statement on President Obama’s Goal of Reducing Foreign Oil Imports

March 30, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today released the following statement after President Obama outlined plans to reduce foreign oil imports: “I fully support the President’s ambitious but achievable goal of reducing foreign oil imports by one-third over the next decade - it is in both our national security and best economic interests to do so.  With all the recent turmoil in the Middle East, and … Continue Reading


Top Transportation Democrat Rahall Releases Draft Tribal Legislation

March 28, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today released the following statement on draft legislation to address issues raised by tribal leaders at a Native American transportation, infrastructure, and economic development roundtable Rahall convened earlier this month: “In January, I wrote an Op-Ed in Indian Country informing tribal leaders of my move to the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure … Continue Reading


Panel Holds Hearing on Rail Safety

March 17, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials today held a hearing on the implementation of the Rail Safety Improvement Act of 2008. The Subcommittee received testimony from the following witnesses: The Honorable Elton Gallegly, California's 24th District; Ms. Mackenzie Souser, Camarillo, California; Ms. Jo Strang, Associate Administrator, Office of Safety, Federal Railroad Administration; Mr. Mark Manion, Executive … Continue Reading


Rahall Addresses Transit Union Conference

March 16, 2011

Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today delivered remarks at the Amalgamated Transit Union’s 2011 Legislative Conference in Washington, D.C. Below are Rahall’s remarks, as prepared for delivery: Remarks of U.S. Representative Nick J. RahallDemocratic Ranking Member, House Committee on Transportation & InfrastructureAmalgamated Transit Union 2011 Legislative ConferenceCapitol HiltonMarch 16, 2011 I … Continue Reading


Subcommittee Panel Examines US Response to Piracy

March 15, 2011

Washington, D.C. - The House Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation today held an oversight hearing on the United States response to piracy, particularly in the Horn of Africa region, and its effect on international shipping. The Subcommittee received testimony from the following witnesses: Admiral Kevin Cook, Director of Prevention Policy for Marine Safety, Security, and Stewardship, United States Coast Guard; Mr. William Wechsler, Deputy … Continue Reading