| DeFazio Named New Head of Highways and Transit Subcommittee | | Print | |
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January 17, 2007 WASHINGTON, DC—U.S. Congressman Peter DeFazio is the new chair of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee, House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee Chair James Oberstar announced today. DeFazio was elected by his colleagues at a meeting of the Democratic Caucus of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure last night. "I am looking forward to tackling the tremendous challenges we face to plan, build and pay for a 21st century transportation system," DeFazio said. "We must begin a review of the current highway program, SAFETEA-LU. We will look into the push by the Bush administration to privatize and toll existing interstates. We will also examine the myriad safety issues posed by the possibility of allowing Mexican trucks in the U.S., hours of service for truck drivers, and cyclists on rural roads. We must also improve mass transit." The first hearing of the Highways and Transit Subcommittee will be on Wednesday, January 24th at 10 a.m. The title of the hearing is “Surface Transportation System: Challenges for the Future.” The purpose of the hearing is to receive testimony on the challenges facing our transportation system 30 to 50 years from now, as well as to hear about the work of the National Surface Transportation Policy and Revenue Study Commission created in SAFETEA-LU. The subcommittee is expected to hold a hearing next month on public-private partnerships. |