| THE RUNWAY: JANUARY RECAP |
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| REMEMBERING THE LIVES LOST IN RECENT AVIATION ACCIDENTS | ||
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In the wake of the recent heartbreaking aviation accidents in Washington, DC, and Philadelphia, we all continue to pray for those who lost their lives and were injured, as well as their families and loved ones. We remain grateful to the first responders on scene and the many aviation professionals who work each day to ensure the safety of the American people. The bipartisan leadership of the full Committee and the Aviation Subcommittee released this statement following the January 29th accident at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport, and this statement after the January 31st aeromedical flight crash in Philadelphia. The Committee leaders emphasized the importance of refraining from speculation about the causes of these accidents until the facts are known. |
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| KICKING OFF THE 119TH CONGRESS | ||
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On January 3, 2025, the 119th United States Congress gaveled into session. Looking ahead to the next two years, T&I has a lot to accomplish. One of the Committee’s top priorities will be passing legislation to reauthorize our nation’s surface transportation programs, as well as setting an aggressive hearing schedule to ensure that the Committee’s Members can gather information and examine all facets of infrastructure to inform the creation of our legislation. With the Committee set to tackle key legislative priorities this session, Chairman Graves announced the 35 Republican Members who will serve on the Committee, including twelve new members (and one more vacancy to fill). Chairman Graves also announced the Republican Members who will serve as Chairs of T&I’s six subcommittees “Our subcommittee chairs for the 119th Congress have a strong track record of proven leadership, experience, and demonstrated legislative expertise.” Rep. Rick Crawford (R-AR) will serve as the Vice Chairman of the full Committee. Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Aviation. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation. Rep. Scott Perry (R-PA) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management. Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit. Rep. Daniel Webster (R-FL) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials. Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) will serve as Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment. |
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| AMERICA BUILDS INFRASTRUCTURE HEARING SERIES | ||
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America Builds: The State of the Nation’s Transportation System On January 15th, the Committee held its first hearing of the 119th Congress and the first hearing of the “America Builds” hearing series. The full committee hearing focused broadly on the state of U.S. transportation. Several Members took the hearing as an opportunity to discuss issues that will be key factors in the surface transportation reauthorization bill, which will be developed by the Committee this Congress. Both the witnesses and Committee Republicans highlighted the need to further streamline the infrastructure project delivery process, the importance of core formula highway programs and flexibility for state departments of transportation, and concerns with the feasibility of vehicle electrification efforts.
America Builds: Highways to Move People and Freight At a Highways and Transit Subcommittee hearing on January 22nd, stakeholders outlined key principles for a multi-year surface transportation reauthorization bill, particularly federal highway programs. Witnesses highlighted some common themes, including a need for a timely, multi-year bill that provides long-term certainty for states to plan projects, as well as the needed flexibility to address their most critical priorities. Once again, the need to cut red tape, the importance of state flexibility, and the effectiveness of formula highway programs were highlighted issues. In addition, Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) specifically asked about “the costs and long-term effects that the California Air Resources Board emission standards would have on the trucking industry.” California Air Resources Board's (CARB's) Advanced Clean Truck Rule mandates the sale of zero-emission vehicles. Rep. Brian Babin (R-TX) also discussed the impacts of a patchwork of emissions standards across states on interstate trucking operations. Members also raised a number of trucking policy issues, including the need to increase the amount of safe truck parking, as well as the need to foster an environment that is more encouraging of young people to enter the workforce as truck drivers. A full recap of the hearing is available here. |
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America Builds: Examining America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network On January 23rd, the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee held a hearing entitled, “America Builds: Examining America’s Freight and Passenger Rail Network.” Subcommittee members heard from various railroad industry stakeholders about their priorities and ideas for any potential surface transportation legislative proposals in the current Congress. Throughout the hearing, witnesses offered support for programs that help build and improve the U.S. rail infrastructure network, such as federal programs to eliminate rail grade crossings and the Consolidated Rail Infrastructure and Safety Improvements (CRISI) Program. Rep. Vince Fong (R-CA) discussed changes and reforms that can help optimize and expand freight rail infrastructure to accommodate increased demand in the supply chain. “Certainly, we all know that rail is a key component of the supply chain. That is not only in California but across the country,” said Rep. Fong. A full recap of the hearing is available here. |
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| FLOOR ACTIVITY | ||
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Bill to Boost Amtrak Accountability In January, the House of Representatives approved legislation to bring much needed transparency and accountability to Amtrak by requiring public disclosure of any decisions to award massive bonuses to top executives. H.R. 192, the Amtrak Executive Bonus Disclosure Act, was introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC). Speaking about the need for the legislation Congressman Rouzer said, “Despite significant financial losses, reliance on government support, and ongoing performance issues, Amtrak continues to reward their executives with millions in bonus incentives. My legislation is the first step toward increasing accountability and ensuring taxpayers know how their dollars are being spent.” The bill requires Amtrak to publicly disclose salary bonuses given to Amtrak executives annually. Specifically, the legislation requires Amtrak to notify and brief Congress 30 days before it awards any executive bonuses and to publicly disclose any executive bonuses that have been awarded through a notice in the Federal Register, along with an explanation of the metrics and criteria used to determine the bonuses. Bills to Streamline Disaster Assistance Programs Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) introduced two bills to streamline the disaster assistance process for victims and improve transparency regarding how disaster recovery funds are spent. H.R. 152, the Federal Disaster Assistance Coordination Act, requires a plan to streamline federal agencies’ collection of information for preliminary damage assessments. Eliminating overlaps in the collection of this information will help make disaster assistance easier to receive for victims already enduring the hardships of disaster. The House also approved H.R. 153, the Post-Disaster Assistance Online Accountability Act, which requires all federal agencies that provide disaster assistance to regularly update a public, central online repository with information about their programs. Requiring these federal agencies to keep the public informed will ensure greater transparency and public accountability in how taxpayer dollars dedicated to disaster recovery are being spent. “I am proud to see these two critical pieces of legislation, designed to streamline the federal government’s response to disasters, pass the U.S. House,” Rep. Ezell said. “Our communities deserve a response that is swift, coordinated, and effective when disaster strikes. My bills are a step forward in ensuring that resources reach those in need without delay, and that the process of recovery is as smooth as possible for families, businesses, and local governments.” |
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WRDA AND GSA REFORMS SIGNED INTO LAW |
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 On January 4, 2025, the Thomas R. Carper Water Resources Development Act of 2024 (WRDA), legislation to improve the nation’s ports and harbors, inland waterway navigation, flood and storm protection, and other aspects of the nation’s water resources infrastructure, was signed into law – capping off T&I’s accomplishments from the 118th Congress. In the House, WRDA was introduced as H.R. 8812 by T&I Chairman Graves and T&I Ranking Member Rick Larsen (D-WA), as well as the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee leaders from last Congress, Chairman Rouzer and Ranking Member Grace Napolitano (D-CA). WRDA projects have national, regional, and local significance and help strengthen the nation’s global competitiveness, grow the economy, move goods throughout the country and abroad, protect communities, and create jobs. Congress has passed a bipartisan WRDA every two years since 2014. WRDA 2024 maintains the regular consideration of this important infrastructure legislation, and it provides Congress the opportunity for input into the projects undertaken by the Corps. “WRDA 2024 makes much needed reforms at the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers to streamline processes, reduce cumbersome red tape, and get projects done faster. The bill also provides critical water resource infrastructure improvements for communities across America – from ports to levees to navigation channels, and more,” said Chairman Graves. More information about the legislation is available here. Federal Office Space & Property Reforms As a result of the T&I Committee’s oversight of federal buildings throughout the 118th Congress, Members of the Committee introduced various bills to address the chronic underutilization of federal properties and office space. Many of these General Services Administration (GSA) reforms were included in WRDA and are now in law. The approved reforms set space occupancy standards to incentivize federal workers to return to the office or lose space, strengthen congressional oversight and public accountability of federal real estate projects, and direct the sale of certain unused properties. This legislation will help tackle the federal government’s inefficient use of its office space and save money for taxpayers. E-BRIDGE Act WRDA 2024 also included the Eliminating Barriers to Rural Internet Development Grant Eligibility (E-BRIDGE) Act to remove hurdles for broadband projects under EDA grants, including difficult last-mile efforts that often delay rural broadband deployment. It also ensures that local communities can partner with the private sector in carrying out broadband projects and gives communities more flexibility in complying with their funding match requirements. |
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MEMBER SPOTLIGHT |
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Congressman Dave Taylor (R-OH), a businessman and former prosecutor, is one of twelve Republican freshmen serving on T&I this Congress. He sits on the Highways and Transit Subcommittee; the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee; and the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee. He is also a member of the House Agriculture Committee.
Rep. Taylor already has been active at T&I. During the full Committee hearing on January 15th, he questioned witnesses about his concerns with and the impacts of forced fleet electrification on the cost of consumer goods and companies. Regarding the outgoing Administration’s heavy duty truck emissions rule, which would require 40 percent of heavy-duty trucks to be electric by 2032, he said the mandate would “impact everything from tractors, buses, semis, and even school busses. Every facet of our normal lives will be affected by this rule.” Rep. Taylor also warned that under the mandate, “every one of us will see an increase in grocery prices and utility costs.” |
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IN THE NEWS |
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Bloomberg: Crash Speculation Hurts: Rep. Graves on DC Collision Washington Watch with Tony Perkins: Rep. Troy E. Nehls Joins Tony Perkins on Washington Watch to Discuss Tragic DCA Plane Crash E&E News Politico: Committee announces new leaders on water, pipelines Land Line: First House transportation committee hearing of 2025 addresses multiple trucking issues Saipan Tribune: King-Hinds appointed to House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee |
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