Rep. Denham Secures Aggressive Oversight Of CA High-Speed Rail Project

Washington, DC – Rep. Jeff Denham (R-CA) today secured a commitment from Rep. Bill Shuster, Chairman of the Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials Subcommittee, to provide significant oversight over California’s high-speed rail project.

With the commitment from Chairman Shuster, Rep. Denham withdrew his amendment restricting federal funds for California’s high-speed rail project. Rep. Denham supports the concept of a high-speed rail in California but he also recognizes that since the project’s inception, the projected costs have skyrocketed and the project has become misguided in such a way that any more federal funding would be totally irresponsible without congressional oversight.

“I am committed to reducing spending. I plan to provide aggressive oversight of California’s high-speed rail project and with Rep. Shuster’s commitment, I am confident we will do so,” said Rep. Jeff Denham. “The project has lacked adequate cost controls, the transparency our Valley farmers deserve and the oversight our taxpayers demand. If necessary, we will work to hold a hearing in California’s Central Valley.”