Bio: Congressman Peter DeFazio was first elected to the U.S. Congress in 1986 and is now the longest serving House member in Oregon’s history. As the dean of the Oregon House delegation, he has developed a reputation as an independent, passionate and effective lawmaker.
In 2014, DeFazio was elected to the powerful position of Ranking Member on the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, which has jurisdiction over the Coast Guard, highways and transit, water resources, railroads, aviation, and economic development.
DeFazio has served as a member of the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee since he first entered Congress in 1987. During his time on the Committee, he has served as Chairman or Ranking Member of four of the six subcommittees: Aviation, Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation, Highways and Transit, and Water Resources and Environment. DeFazio has taken a lead role on several multi-billion dollar surface transportation and FAA reauthorization bills, and worked to strengthen Buy America standards. In 2005, DeFazio served as the Ranking Member on the Highways Subcommittee where he helped negotiate a five-year federal highway and transit spending bill called SAFETEA-LU. Under the bill DeFazio secured $2.7 billion for Oregon’s roads, bridges, highways and transit systems. More recently, DeFazio introduced the Repeal and Rebuild Act (HR 4848), a long-term solution to replenish the Highway Trust Fund. (Read more about HR 4848 here.)
Military Bio:
Served in the Air Force Reserves from 1967 – 1971.
Legislation:
- R.4134 — 114th Congress (2015-2016)
Veterans Health Care Staffing Improvement Act
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 11/30/2015) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs, Armed Services
Latest Action: 12/04/2015 Referred to the Subcommittee on Military Personnel. (All Actions)
- R.2151 — 113th Congress (2013-2014)
To amend title 38, United States Code, to authorize individuals who are pursuing programs of rehabilitation, education, or training under laws administered by the Secretary of Veterans Affairs to receive work-study allowances for certain outreach services provided through congressional offices, and for other purposes.
Sponsor: Rep. DeFazio, Peter A. [D-OR-4] (Introduced 05/23/2013) Cosponsors: (3)
Committees: House – Veterans’ Affairs
Latest Action: 06/11/2013 Referred to the Subcommittee on Economic Opportunity. (All Actions)