On April 19th, the Subcommittee on Aviation held its fifth and final hearing on FAA Reauthorization entitled “FAA Reauthorization: Examining the Current and Future Challenges Facing the Aerospace Workforce.” The hearing included a panel of five witnesses with demonstrated expertise in aviation issues.

(Subcommittee on Aviation Chairman Garrett Graves (R-LA) delivers opening remarks at a March 30 FAA Reauthorization hearing)

(Witnesses Admiral Linda L. Fagan and Master Chief Heath B. Jones appear before the Subcommittee on Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation on April 18.)

The April 19 hearing on the Coast Guard’s FY24 budget request was the Subcommittee’s final hearing prior to introducing the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023.

Upon introducing the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023, full Committee Chairman Graves said:

“The men and women of the Coast Guard risk their lives every day to protect our Nation and the lives of those at sea.  From assuring the safety of maritime trade through the supply chain crisis, to helping counter undue Chinese influence in the Pacific, to helping to develop the United States’ redefined role in the rapidly changing Arctic, to stemming the human trafficking and influx of illicit drugs into the country, the Coast Guard is challenged with an ever-growing mission set and no growth in their physical infrastructure assets.  Our bill ensures the Coast Guard will have the resources and assets necessary to carry out these and its other critical missions,” 

Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee Chairman Daniel Webster (R-FL) also spoke about the bill, saying:

“The United States Coast Guard plays a vital role in protecting our coasts, securing maritime trade by protecting our ports and waterways, responding to emergencies and disasters, and countless other missions.  But recruitment challenges and insufficient budgets have stretched the Coast Guard thin at a time its services are at an ever-increasing demand.  The bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act will provide the resources needed to help with readiness and the Service’s ability to carry out and meet its missions.”

On April 26^th, the bipartisan Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2023 was approved by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee during a full committee markup.

In March, the House and Senate held successful bipartisan votes on a resolution to overturn the Biden Administration’s flawed, burdensome WOTUS rule. The Biden rule would lead to sweeping changes to the federal government’s authority to regulate what is considered a navigable water, with enormous impacts on small businesses, manufacturers, farmers, home and infrastructure builders, local communities, water districts, and private property owners.

Despite passing the House and Senate with support from Republicans and Democrats, President Biden chose to veto the measure.

On April 18, the House of Representatives vote to override the President’s veto ultimately fell short of the two-thirds majority needed to pass.

Following the April 18 House vote, Chairmen Graves and Rouzer released the following joint statement:

“Despite today’s vote, stopping this overreaching, burdensome WOTUS power grab has the support of bipartisan majorities in both Houses of Congress, and a majority of states have fought to stop its implementation,” said Graves.  “This issue matters to everyday Americans all over the country, and I am disappointed to see the President choose radical environmental activists over America’s families, small businesses, farmers, builders, and property owners.  As Americans continue suffering under the economic crises caused by the disastrous policies of this Administration, we will not stop working to overturn this incredibly intrusive regulatory expansion.”

H.R. 1 – The Lower Energy Costs Act

On March 30, the House of Representatives passed H.R.1, the Lower Energy Costs Act, upholding Republican’s Commitment to America and to a stronger economy. Chairman Graves joined House Majority Leader Steve Scalise (R-LA), along with Energy and Commerce Committee Chairwoman Cathy McMorris Rodgers (R-WA) and Natural Resources Committee Chairman Bruce Westerman (R-AR), in introducing the bill to tackle the energy crisis caused by President Biden’s disastrous policies.

(Chairman Sam Graves speaks on the House floor about H.R. 1, the Lower Energy Costs Act. His remarks are available here)

H.R.1 restores American energy independence by increasing domestic energy production, reforming the permitting process for all industries, and reversing anti-energy policies advanced by the Biden Administration. Additionally, the bill streamlines energy infrastructure and exports and boosts the production and processing of critical materials.

H.R.1 includes important language which was passed by the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee earlier this year as H.R. 1152, the Water Quality Certification and Energy Projects Improvement Act of 2023. This legislation and critical section of H.R. 1 prevents the Clean Water Act Section 401 process from being hijacked and weaponized to block important energy projects. The Transportation and Infrastructure Committee’s portion of H.R. 1 clarifies the scope of Section 401 permitting, keeping its focus limited to Clean Water Act standards.

More information about H.R.1, the Lower Costs Energy Act is available here.

(Former T&I Chairman Bud Shuster (R-PA))

At the beginning of the April 26^th full Committee markup, Chairman Sam Graves took a moment to honor Bud Shuster and his incredible legacy.

Chairman Graves’ remarks honoring the former Chairman are available here.

(Rep. David Rouzer (R-NC))

Rep. David Rouzer is a fifth term Congressman from North Carolina’s 7^th District. As the Water Resources and Environment Subcommittee Chairman, Rep. Rouzer has been a leader in the fight against regulatory expansion and abuses. He has stated that “sweeping legislation like the Clean Water Act – while certainly beneficial – can lead to bureaucratic overreach and regulatory headaches that often don’t make sense to regulated communities.” Rep. Rouzer, alongside Chairman Sam Graves, has led House efforts to overturn the Biden Administration’s disastrous WOTUS rule.

(Rep. Rouzer joins Chairman Sam Graves, Speaker of the House Kevin McCarthy (R-CA), and other House Republicans for the signing of H.J. Res 27.)

In addition to his role on the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, Rep. Rouzer also serves on the House Agriculture Committee and is a founding member of the Primary Care Caucus and the Supply Chain Caucus.

(Rep. John Duarte (R-CA))

Rep. John Duarte is a first-term Congressman representing California's 13th District. The T&I Committee Member is a small business owner and farmer who has personal experience with the burdens of federal overreach on WOTUS. While speaking on the Administration's policy, Rep. Duarte said the "misguided WOTUS rule, hurts farmers, threatens our food security, and makes it more expensive to put food on your kitchen table." The Congressman went on to say that the current "Administration has sided with radical environmentalists rather than American farmers. More red tape and more regulatory confusion endangers the livelihoods of American small businesses and farmers." Rep. Duarte's first-hand experience dealing with onerous WOTUS regulations has put him at the forefront of the ongoing legislative fight surrounding the policy.

Congressman Duarte is a valued member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee. He also serves on the Natural Resources Committee and the Committee on Agriculture.

Rep. David Rouzer in The Washington Times: Administration’s new rule muddies water for all Americans