America Builds: Maritime Infrastructure

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a hearing on February 5^th, which focused on how to improve the nation’s maritime infrastructure, shipbuilding capacity, and competitiveness with other maritime nations such as China. During his first hearing as Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) asked how legislation to expand the eligible uses of the Capital Construction Fund to include Marine Terminal Operators would improve port efficiency. He referenced the legislation he has previously introduced in Congress, H.R. 4993, which would expand the eligible uses of the capital construction fund to include Marine Terminal Operators.

In his line of questioning, Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) asked which Maritime Administration (MARAD) programs are most valuable to strengthening the American shipbuilding industry. He also asked witnesses how Congress can work to improve the existing funding programs. One of the witnesses stated that grant programs such as the Small Shipyard Grant Program and Title XI are efficient because they allow shipyards to be more productive and bolster innovative technology.

Additional information about this Subcommittee hearing is available here.

Rep. Addison McDowell (R-NC) asks witnesses how Congress can work to improve our maritime infrastructure.

Counter-Unmanned Aircraft Systems

On February 6^th, the Aviation Subcommittee held a hearing to examine the existing federal authorities related to counter-unmanned aircraft system devices, more commonly known as drones. Members were given the opportunity to ask witnesses about authorities that permit certain federal agencies to detect and mitigate unauthorized or unlawful drone operations. At the hearing, Members also asked witnesses about the potential extensions and expansion of those authorities.

“We must continue to support and foster new aviation technologies – the future of American aviation depends on it,” said Aviation Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX) in his statement. “That responsibility includes ensuring the appropriate and safe use of counter-UAS technologies in the nation’s airspace by authorized users to make certain that civil aviation safety is not jeopardized. With the increasing rate of drones expected to integrate into our airspace and the potential for their misuse by bad actors, now is the time to establish a properly scaled, well-balanced, and legally sound framework for counter-drone authorities and the corresponding technologies.”

Additional information about this hearing is available here.

America Builds: Clean Water Act Permitting and Project Delivery

At a Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee hearing Members examined how Congress can ensure the Clean Water Act (CWA) balances the goal of protecting water quality with completing projects in a timely manner.

Subcommittee Members asked witnesses about several CWA permitting regulations, including CWA Sections 401, 402, and 404, as well as recent concerns about the Biden Administration’s burdensome and unlawful Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule.  Witnesses agreed that when states carry out delegated permitting authorities, the process is often much more certain and dependable compared to dealing with federal agencies.

Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman Mike Collins (R-GA) stated at the beginning of the hearing that, “While the Clean Water Act has had many successes in maintaining and improving water quality for the benefits of citizens and industries nationwide, it unfortunately has also been used to slow or stop progress on important projects.” One of the witnesses noted that while states have a vital role in protecting water quality within their borders, certain states have weaponized the CWA to veto projects they disagree with for political reasons, rather than for water quality concerns.

Additional information about this hearing is available here.

Rep. Mike Collins (R-GA) chairs his first hearing as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee.

America Builds: A Review of Programs to Address Roadway Safety

As T&I works towards reauthorizing our nation’s surface transportation programs, the Subcommittee on Highways and Transit held a hearing to discuss the Department of Transportation’s (DOT) policies and programs that focus on improving roadway safety. Subcommittee Members asked witnesses about key safety issues and the DOT’s efforts to reduce motor vehicle traffic fatalities and injuries.

Prior to becoming a Member of Congress, Rep. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA) was a heavy highway electrical contractor and a certified PennDOT flagger. He asked witnesses about the reliability of attenuator trucks, which are vehicles with a crash cushion attached to absorb the impact of potential collisions. He discussed with witnesses if there’s anything Congress can do to solidify interpretations related to autonomous vehicles, especially inside of work zones.

“I think we’re going to be moving in a world where there’s going to be more and more autonomous vehicles, specifically inside of work zones,” Rep. Bresnahan said. “Whether it’s a GM technology or a Tesla technology, we have to remember that they’re still computers and they still take away the fact of the human decision situational awareness.”

Additional information about this hearing is available here.

Promoting and Improving Safety and Efficient Pipeline Infrastructure

The Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous materials met for a hearing on February 25^th to hear from stakeholders on potential legislation to improve the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration’s (PHMSA’s) pipeline safety programs and processes to better ensure the safe transportation of energy sources.

Charman Daniel Webster (R-FL) said in his opening statement, “In our country, roughly 3.3 million miles of onshore pipelines safely and efficiently carry natural gas, crude, hydrogen, hazardous liquids, and other energy sources vital for our Nation’s energy independence. It is of the utmost importance for Congress to ensure PHMSA is focused on its core mission of advancing the safe transportation of these resources.”

Rep. Dave Taylor (R-OH) said at the hearing, “People across the country want lower energy costs and that means the United States needs to unleash its natural resources. I’m proud that this Administration wants to prioritize oil and natural gas production to create jobs and economic development for both consumers and industries.”

Several members also referenced the Pipeline Efficiency and Safety (PIPES) Act of 2023 which was passed out of Committee on a bipartisan basis during the 118^th Congress. The Committee plans to move similar legislation this Congress to reauthorize the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration's (PHMSA) pipeline safety programs and provide an efficient and effective framework to advance the safety of energy infrastructure across the United States.

Additional information about this hearing is available here.

Reps. Rob Bresnahan (R-PA), Nick Begich (R-AK), and Tom Barrett (R-MI) at the markup on February 26th.

(Rep. Perry)

(Rep. Onder)

Rep. Bob Onder (R-MO) is a first-term Congressman representing Missouri’s 3^rd Congressional District. Prior to his election, he was a respected physician and attorney and served in the Missouri State Legislature as a Representative and State Senator.

At the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee hearing on February 11, Rep. Onder expressed his concerns about the Biden Administration’s burdensome and unlawful Waters of the United States (WOTUS) rule. Witnesses agreed that when states carry out delegated permitting authorities, the process is often much more certain and dependable compared to dealing with federal agencies.

In addition to T&I, he currently serves on the House Committee on the Judiciary and the House Committee on Education and the Workforce.