Press Releases
House Republicans Push Bill Waiving U.S. Permit for Foreign Pipeline Company
May 22, 2013HOUSE REPUBLICANS PUSH BILL WAIVING U.S. PERMIT FOR FOREIGN PIPELINE COMPANY What’s next, deeming driver’s licenses issued? WASHINGTON, D.C. - In what U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-WV) termed as a “mockery” of the importance of building the Keystone XL Pipeline in the U.S., the House today debated Republican backed legislation that says the project does not even require a permit, deeming the proposal approved. Rahall, a proponent of building the Keystone XL Pipeline who supported pro-pipeline … Continue Reading
Rahall on Keystone Pipeline: "If there is no permit, it ain't legit"
May 15, 2013Mr. Chairman, as you know, this committee has primary jurisdiction over H.R. 3 and two secondary committees of jurisdiction have already considered the bill. So I begin by thanking you for holding this markup session. Whether one agrees with the bill or not, you are preserving our committee’s jurisdiction rather than waiving it which occurred last Congress. I support the Keystone Pipeline project. I believe it will be an important element in our domestic energy infrastructure. Last … Continue Reading
Rahall Statement on FAA Contract Towers Decision
May 09, 2013WASHINGTON, D.C. - U.S. Rep. Nick Rahall (D-W.Va.), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, issued the following statement Friday following the Federal Aviation Administration’s (FAA) decision to continue funding contract air traffic control towers at the nation’s airports through September 30, 2013: "The FAA's decision to continue contract tower operations is on the glide path Congress intended when we gave the agency the flexibility to keep our skies safer with … Continue Reading
Bishop, Transportation Leaders Introduce Water Quality Protection and Job Creation Act of 2013
May 08, 2013Transportation Leaders Introduce Bipartisan Legislation to Create Jobs, Protect Water Quality Washington, D.C. – Democratic and Republican leaders on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today joined together in introducing bipartisan legislation that would create American jobs by investing $13.8 billion over five years through the State Revolving Fund (SRF) and other efforts to improve water quality. “Investments in rebuilding our nation’s water … Continue Reading
Rahall Statement on the Nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation
April 29, 2013Washington, DC - U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall II, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement on the nomination of Mayor Anthony Foxx as Secretary of Transportation. “Mayor Foxx’s first-hand experience in promoting transportation as a means to create jobs, accommodate growth, and expand economic development will no doubt serve him well as he prepares to address the many infrastructure challenges now facing the country. I look forward to … Continue Reading
Rahall: Unprecedented Authority Given to EPA in Spruce Mine Decision
April 23, 2013Rahall: Unprecedented Authority Given to EPA in Spruce Mine Decision Washington, DC - U.S. Rep Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement on today’s U.S. Court of Appeals District of Columbia’s ruling, which found that the Environmental Protection Agency has the authority to retroactively veto Clean Water Act permits previously issued by the Army Corps of Engineers, as EPA did with the Spruce Mine permit in Logan County, … Continue Reading
Shuster, Rahall Announce Special Panel Tasked with Developing Freight Transportation Improvements
April 16, 2013Washington, DC - Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA) and Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV) today announced the members of a special panel tasked with examining the current state of freight transportation in the United States and how improving freight transportation can strengthen the U.S. economy. The full committee’s Vice Chairman, Rep. John J. Duncan, Jr. (R-TN), will chair the “Panel on 21st Century Freight Transportation.” Rep. Jerrold Nadler … Continue Reading
Ryan Budget Would End Highway and Transit Investment in FY 2015
March 19, 2013Ryan Budget Would End Highway and Transit Investment in FY 2015 Washington, DC - According to a Congressional Budget Office (CBO) analysis, Budget Committee Chairman Paul Ryan’s budget proposal would effectively end Federal highway and transit investments in fiscal year 2015. Using the understanding of the Ryan Budget supplied by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Democrats, CBO found that highway infrastructure investments would be reduced from $40.3 billion in FY 2014 to $100 … Continue Reading
Report: U.S. Infrastructure Earns a D+ Report
March 19, 2013Report: U.S. Infrastructure Earns a D+ Rahall Renews Calls for Responsible Investment in Infrastructure Washington, D.C. - The American Society of Civil Engineers (ASCE) today gave U.S. infrastructure a letter grade of “D+”, after reviewing sixteen different categories of American infrastructure over the last four years. U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, renewed calls for Congress to make the investments necessary … Continue Reading
Rahall Calls for Retention of Strong Federal Role in Job-Creating Infrastructure Investments
March 08, 2013Rahall Calls for Retention of Strong Federal Role in Job-Creating Infrastructure Investments Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today urged his colleagues to retain a strong Federal role for development of critical, job-creating infrastructure. At a hearing before Rahall’s Committee to examine the Federal role in infrastructure, business and labor leaders offered testimony on the economic and job creation … Continue Reading
Rahall Introduces Legislation to Ensure American Infrastructure Supports American Jobs
March 05, 2013Rahall Introduces Legislation to Ensure American Infrastructure Supports American JobsBill Would Require American Materials Used in All Federally Funded Infrastructure Projects Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today was joined by Committee Members in introducing legislation to ensure that all Federal transportation and infrastructure investments support American jobs and domestic manufacturing. Under … Continue Reading
Rahall, Transportation Leaders to Introduce Legislation to Ensure American Infrastructure Supports American Jobs
March 04, 2013Media Advisory: Rahall, Transportation Leaders to Introduce Legislation to Ensure American Infrastructure Supports American Jobs Washington, D.C. - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, will be joined by Committee Members tomorrow in introducing legislation which strengthens ‘Buy America’ laws to ensure Federal Transportation and Infrastructure investments support American jobs. Who: Rep. Nick J. Rahall … Continue Reading
Rahall Calls for Retention of Strong Federal Role in Job-Creating Infrastructure Investments
February 13, 2013Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall, top Democrat on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today urged his colleagues to retain a strong Federal role for development of critical, job-creating infrastructure. At a hearing before Rahall’s Committee to examine the Federal role in infrastructure, business and labor leaders offered testimony on the economic and job creation benefits that investment in modern infrastructure yields. “For generations, investments in … Continue Reading
Transportation and Infrastructure Leaders Statement on Boeing Dreamliner Incidents
February 12, 2013Washington, DC - Following a briefing today from Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) Administrator Michael Huerta on the status of the agency’s ongoing review related to the Boeing Dreamliner battery incidents, Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Committee Ranking Member Nick J. Rahall, II (D-WV), Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Frank LoBiondo (R-NJ), and Subcommittee Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA) released the following joint statement: “We have … Continue Reading
Rahall Statement on the Departure of Secretary of Transportation LaHood
January 29, 2013Washington, DC - U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, released the following statement after Secretary LaHood announced that he will not serve a second term as Transportation Secretary. “Four years ago my good friend Ray LaHood put party politics aside in order to help modernize our transportation infrastructure and speed our economic recovery,” said Rahall. “During his incredibly successful tenure, Secretary LaHood … Continue Reading
Rahall Legislation Updating FEMA Guidelines in Response to West Virginia Storms to Become Law
January 29, 2013Washington, DC - The Congress has sent legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) to be signed into law by the President that will require FEMA to reassess the guidelines used to evaluate requests for Individual Assistance following disasters such as last year’s Derecho. “The sensible review of FEMA’s guidelines that both Houses of Congress have now supported and sent to the President will help to ensure that our federal disaster assistance programs are reaching those they … Continue Reading
Rahall Legislation to Reinforce Indian Tribal Sovereignty During Major Disasters to Become Law
January 29, 2013Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, that solidifies Indian Country’s tribal sovereignty during disasters and emergency situations is expected to be signed into law by the President in the coming days. Rahall’s language was included as part of H.R. 152 which was approved by the Senate last night after being passed in the House earlier this month. “For more than a decade … Continue Reading
Rahall Announces Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittee Ranking Members
January 22, 2013Washington, D.C.- U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), Democratic Leader of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, today announced that the Committee Democratic Caucus has selected Subcommittee Ranking Members for each of its six panels. “Our Committee Caucus has elected an outstanding group of Subcommittee Ranking Members who will bring to the table their experience, expertise and energy in addressing our Nation’s transportation needs,” said Rahall. “I have had the … Continue Reading
Rahall Legislation to Reinforce Indian Tribal Sovereignty During Disasters Approved Again by U.S. House
January 15, 2013Washington, D.C. - Legislation authored by U.S. Representative Nick J. Rahall (D-WV), top Democrat on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, to solidify Indian Country’s tribal sovereignty during major disasters has been approved as part of one of the first acts of the new Congress. Rahall’s language was included as part of H.R. 219 which the House passed yesterday evening and which would allow tribes to directly petition the federal government for disaster assistance. “For … Continue Reading
Rahall Proposal to Update FEMA Guidelines in Response to West Virginia Storms Approved Again by U.S. House
January 15, 2013Washington, DC - Following the Federal Emergency Management Agency’s (FEMA) recent denial of West Virginia’s request for Individual Assistance for victims of Superstorm Sandy, the House has again passed legislation sponsored by U.S. Rep. Nick J. Rahall (D-W.Va.) that will require FEMA to reassess the guidelines the agency uses to evaluate such requests in the future. Rahall originally introduced the legislation in the last Congress in response to the June 2012 Derecho which devastated large … Continue Reading