Op-Eds
Important questions for Boeing — and the FAA
October 29, 2019by Chair Peter DeFazio
On Wednesday, Boeing CEO Dennis Muilenburg will testify before the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. Over his shoulder will be family members of the 346 victims of the two Boeing 737 MAX crashes in Indonesia and Ethiopia, including the Massachusetts parents of Samya Stumo. Sadly, we have been here before. In 2009, after 50 people died in the Colgan Air flight 3407 crash near Buffalo, N.Y, our committee worked in a bipartisan way to address safety issues raised by that … Continue Reading
Finkenauer and DeFazio: Iowa deserves high-quality highways and bridges
October 08, 2019by Chair Peter DeFazio and Congresswoman Abby Finkenauer
Regardless of your political ideology, we can all agree that America's infrastructure network is essential to our quality of life and to the nation's economy. Our expansive national network of highways, bridges, tunnels, railways, waterways, and airports is capable of providing all Americans - from those living in the largest cities to those in the smallest towns - with extraordinary freedom of mobility and unprecedented opportunity. Infrastructure provides the backbone of the U.S. economy … Continue Reading
We must build Gateway—and we will
May 31, 2019by Chair Peter DeFazio
Across our country, in communities large and small, our outdated and oversubscribed infrastructure is at a breaking point, the result of years of federal underinvestment in transportation and a lack of political courage in Washington, D.C. Nowhere is that more apparent than in New York and New Jersey, where I recently got a firsthand look at the largest infrastructure project in our nation, the Gateway Program. I was joined not only by members of Congress from New York and New Jersey who have … Continue Reading
Bustos and Finkenauer: It’s time to rebuild our country
May 19, 2019by Representatives Cheri Bustos and Abby Finkenauer
The Greatest Generation earned its name for a reason. They survived an economic depression through the determination and grit that defines our country at its best. And when duty called during World War II, they proudly put on our nation's uniform and defeated evil forces that threatened peace and stability across the globe. But their service didn't stop on the battlefield. When these brave men and women returned home, they traded in their uniforms for hardhats and rebuilt America with an … Continue Reading
Moving Towards a Cleaner, Greener Future
May 10, 2019by Representative Debbie Mucarsel-Powell
When I lived in Ecuador, I grew up surrounded by vibrant life; beautiful exotic plants and animals that would make anyone fall in love with our planet. When I moved to Miami, I felt a similar appreciation and love for our unique ecosystems like the Everglades, and our stunning coastlines-areas that would make anyone want to commit to protecting our planet. But when I am exploring the Everglades with my children, or scuba diving along our barrier reef, I can't help but worry that future … Continue Reading