Press Releases
DeFazio Slams PHMSA For Eliminating Meal and Rest Breaks for Truck Drivers Transporting Hazardous Materials
September 20, 2018Washington, 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
DeFazio, Capuano Lead Bipartisan Letter Opposing DOT Action to Waive Safety, Drug Testing Rules and Allow Railroads to Employ Foreign Crews
September 17, 2018Washington, 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
House Sends Water Resources Infrastructure Bill to Senate with Unanimous Vote
September 13, 2018The 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
DeFazio, Titus Request Hearing On GSA’s Efforts to Hide White House Involvement in New FBI Headquarters Plan
September 13, 2018DeFazio, 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
DeFazio, Titus Urge FEMA Not to Shut Down Emergency Power Generators In Puerto Rico This Summer
July 24, 2018According 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
DeFazio, Carper Press Acting EPA Administrator on Enforcement of the Clean Water Act
July 19, 2018Washington, 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
DeFazio, Garamendi Respond to American Maritime Partnership Study about the Effect of the Jones Act on Puerto Rico
July 18, 2018DeFazio, 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
DeFazio Introduces Legislation to Extend the Deadline to Complete Tribal Transportation Self-Governance Rule
July 18, 2018Washington, 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
DeFazio, Norton Slam Trump Administration Efforts to Slow Down Transit Projects
July 17, 2018New 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
DeFazio, Titus Question FEMA Over Staffing Shortages, Ability to Respond to Disasters
July 17, 2018FEMA 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
DeFazio, Napolitano Question EPA Amid Reports It Suppressed Study on Toxic Chemicals
July 09, 2018DeFazio, 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
DeFazio, Garamendi, Larsen and Courtney Slam the Trump Administration’s Plan to Use Coast Guard Funds for ICE Enforcement
June 29, 2018DeFazio, 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
DeFazio and Larsen Slam FAA for Deficient Oversight of Foreign Aircraft Repair Stations
June 28, 2018DeFazio 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
DeFazio, Carper Press DOJ and EPA on the Unlawful Slowing of Enforcement of the Clean Water Act
June 27, 2018Washington, 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
Democrats Warn FRA Against Issuing PTC Exemptions
June 21, 2018Democrats 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
House Clears Water Resources Development Act
June 06, 2018Washington, 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
Committee Unanimously Approves Water Resources Development Act
May 23, 2018Washington, D.C. - The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee today unanimously approved the bipartisan Water Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. Today's approval marks the third Water Resources Development Act approved by the Committee under Chairman Shuster's leadership, and follows the transparent … Continue Reading
House T&I; Leaders Introduce Water Resources Development Act
May 18, 2018Washington, DC - Transportation and Infrastructure Committee leaders today introduced the bipartisan Waster Resources Development Act (WRDA) of 2018, legislation that provides for improvements to the Nation's ports, inland waterways, locks, dams, flood protection, ecosystem restoration, and other water resources infrastructure. WRDA 2018 (H.R. 8) was introduced by Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chairman Bill Shuster (R-PA), Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Ranking … Continue Reading
DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation
May 17, 2018DeFazio Introduces Legislation Addressing Sexual Assault and Harassment in Passenger Transportation Washington, D.C. - Today, House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Ranking Member Peter DeFazio (D-OR) and all Democratic members of the Committee introduced H.R. 5857, the "Stop Sexual Assault and Harassment in Transportation Act," legislation that requires passenger airlines, commuter and intercity passenger railroads, transit agencies, operators of passenger vessels, and … Continue Reading
House Overwhelmingly Passes Long-Term FAA Reauthorization Bill
April 27, 2018Washington, D.C. - By a vote of 393 to 13, the House of Representatives today approved the bipartisan FAA Reauthorization Act of 2018 (H.R. 4), a five-year bill to reauthorize the programs of the Federal Aviation Administration, provide much needed long-term stability for the Nation's aviation community, authorize robust investment in U.S. airports, improve America's competitiveness in the global aviation sector, strengthen passenger protections, and ensure the safety of the system for the … Continue Reading