| THE RUNWAY: JUNE RECAP |
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| PERMITTING REFORMS | |||
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H.R. 3898 has the support of Republican Leaders in the House, and its various provisions have also garnered the support of numerous industry leaders and stakeholders. Read more information about T&I’s permitting reform efforts here. |
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| ONE BIG BEAUTIFUL BILL ACT | |||
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In the video below, Chairman Graves focuses on how this bill will allow the Federal Aviation Administration to begin the process of replacing our outdated air traffic control (ATC) technology, modernizing the ATC system, and enhancing the hiring of air traffic controllers. Additionally, the bill includes historic funding for the Coast Guard that will help protect our borders and our national security. This funding will support the Coast Guard’s acquisition of cutters and boats, aircraft, shoreside infrastructure, and more to help them carry out their vital missions.
Other T&I leaders, including Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS), Rep. Troy E. Nehls (R-TX), Rep. Burgess Owens (R-UT), and Rep. Jimmy Patronis (R-FL), also expressed support for the T&I provisions in the One Big Beautiful Bill Act. Together, these investments not only enhance our national security but also set the stage for safer and more effective transportation infrastructure.
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| COMMITTEE MARKUPS | |||
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At a markup on June 11th, the Committee approved ten bills, seven of which were introduced by some of T&I newest Republican Members. The freshmen-led legislation will provide more paths to transportation jobs for veterans, make reforms in federal building space utilization and construction, increase oversight related to water resources programs, address aviation safety materials storage needs, and improve oversight of water resources programs. Read more about the legislation here. |
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| FLOOR ACTIVITY | |||
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On June 9th, the House of Representatives approved nine pieces of legislation from T&I, including bills to strengthen the U.S. supply chain and maritime industry and increase transparency and accountability at the Tennessee Valley Authority (TVA). The legislation introduced by Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC) will strengthen our supply chain, bolster national security, and limit the potential for Chinese, Russian, North Korean, and Iranian influence at U.S. ports. Rep. Addison McDowell’s (R-NC) bill will strengthen the Coast Guard’s ability to confront drug traffickers and to respond to opioid overdoses in USCG operational environments. Legislation by Rep. Tim Burchett (R-TN) will increase transparency at TVA, making more of their meetings and decision-making open to the public. Read more about the legislation here. |
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COMMITTEE HEARINGS |
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Following the one-year anniversary of the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 being signed into law, the Aviation Subcommittee heard from representatives of a broad cross-section of aviation stakeholders, including general aviation, new entrants, and commercial airlines, about the implementation of the bill. The Committee has maintained that the efficient implementation of the FAA bill, as written, is vital for the well-being of the American aviation system. Subcommittee Chairman Troy E. Nehls (R-TX), stated that “while the FAA Reauthorization Act of 2024 was comprehensive, ambitious, and challenging, it set an achievable timeline for implementation and reform.” Additional information about the hearing is available here. The Future of the Coast Guard: Review of Coast Guard Programs and Structure President Trump’s nominee for Commandant of the United States Coast Guard, Admiral Kevin E. Lunday, appeared before the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee at a hearing focused on the future of the Coast Guard and the Services’ current programs and structure. During the hearing, Admiral Lunday answered questions about Force Design 2028, the Trump Administration’s plan for the future of the Coast Guard, which includes five main points: establish a Service Secretary so that the Coast Guard has the same representation as other military services; reorganize the Service to streamline processes, better integrate capabilities, and eliminate redundancies; invest in the men and women who serve in the Coast Guard; invest in technology to improve efficiency and capability; and improve and streamline the acquisition process. Additionally, Members of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee highlighted the importance of the historic $21.2 billion investment in the Coast Guard included in the House-passed One Big Beautiful Bill Act (H.R. 1). These investments will support the Coast Guard’s missions to protect our national security and stop illegal drugs and migrants from crossing our maritime borders. H.R. 1 invests in Coast Guard assets, including Offshore Patrol Cutters, Fast Response Cutters, Polar Security Cutters, fixed-wing and rotary-wing aircraft, shoreside infrastructure, and depot maintenance. Additional information about the hearing is available here. America Builds: The Role of Innovation and Technology in a Safe and Efficient Rail System
On June 24th, the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee held a hearing entitled “America Builds: The Role of Innovation and Technology in a Safe and Efficient Rail System.” The hearing focused on how technology and process improvements can contribute to a safer and more efficient freight and passenger rail transportation. Unfortunately, while other government agencies, including those in the Department of Transportation, take steps to promote innovation, the rail industry and the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) are falling behind. In his opening statement, Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) spoke to this issue: “Innovation and technology are vital to improving the rail industry’s growth and safety outcomes. Ensuring that technological advancements and innovations continue to flourish will require a combination of the right policies, particularly regulatory policies, to incentivize current and future research, development, and deployment of new technology.” Witnesses at the hearing provided important insight into how technologies have the potential to revolutionize freight and passenger rail transportation. Additional information about the hearing is available here. |
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| MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT |
 (Rep. Mike Collins) |
As Chairman of the Subcommittee on Water Resources and Environment, Rep. Mike Collins is spearheading the Committee’s efforts to reform Clean Water Act permitting. Rep. Collins, an entrepreneur and businessman who started his own trucking company, is a second-term Congressman from Georgia’s 10th District and a leading voice on ensuring that federal permitting processes make sense, provide certainty, allow for economic growth and activity, and protect clean water. Following the Committee’s approval of his bill H.R. 3898, the Promoting Efficient Review for Modern Infrastructure Today (PERMIT) Act, Collins said, “When I was appointed as Chairman of the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee, I put myself on a mission to make our government more efficient and productive for the American people.”
Rep. Collins is also a member of the House Committee on Natural Resources and the Committee on Science, Space, and Technology.
 (Rep. Kim King-Hinds) |
Rep. Kim King-Hinds is a first-term Representative of the Commonwealth of the Northern Mariana Islands. Prior to her election, she practiced law for over a decade, and served as Chair of the Commonwealth Ports Authority. At this month’s Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing, Rep. Kim King-Hinds acknowledged the many missions the Coast Guard undertakes in service to her constituents and the nation. She asked Admiral Lunday to describe the benefits of the investments in H.R. 1 to the Coast Guard, including life-saving missions and drug interdiction. Admiral Lunday responded, “Congresswoman, the investment in reconciliation will provide a recapitalization of the capital assets we need, our cutters, boats, aircraft, C5I systems, inshore infrastructure necessary to conduct all of those operations, including throughout the Indo-Pacific.”
In addition to T&I, she serves on the Veterans’ Affairs Committee and the Small Business Committee.
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Chairman Graves for the Washington Times: Let’s build America’s critical surface transportation infrastructure
Rep. Ezell for the Washington Times: Congress must pass an updated authorization to support our Coasties
Rep. Nehls for the Washington Times: Unleash American innovation: Lift the ban on supersonic flight
Rep. Johnson in the Washington Times: China’s iron grip on American supply chains
Rep. Mann for The Wichita Eagle: Kansas deserves the gift of Trump’s One Big Beautiful Bill
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