U.S. Rep. Peter DeFazio (OR-04) announced he will not seek re-election in 2022, according to an official press release. DeFazio, chair of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, served 36 years in the House of Representatives and is the longest serving House Member from Oregon and the 65th-longest serving member of the House in U.S. history.
“With humility and gratitude I am announcing that I will not seek re-election next year,” DeFazio said in his official statement. “It has been the greatest honor of my life to serve as Congressman for the Fourth District of Oregon. For 36 years I have fought corporate greed and special interests to benefit Oregon’s working families--from delivering affordable health care under the Affordable Care Act, to preventing the privatization and destruction of the Social Security safety net, to protecting our natural treasures for future generations, to fighting trade policies that undermine American workers, to holding industry and regulators accountable to improve aviation safety, to asserting congressional war powers authority to stop endless wars, to making historic job-creating investments in our roads, bridges, ports and more under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. Thank you for putting your trust in me.”
DeFazio has many major accomplishments in the transportation industry.
He increased federal investment in America’s infrastructure by more than $550 billion, creating two million jobs a year over the next 10 years. DeFazio also improved the federal highway funding formula resulting in an additional $1.3 billion in funding to Oregon for roads, bridges, and surface transportation projects.
“It’s time for me to pass the baton to the next generation so I can focus on my health and well-being,” DeFazio said. “This was a tough decision at a challenging time for our republic with the very pillars of our democracy under threat, but I am bolstered by the passion and principles of my colleagues in Congress and the ingenuity and determination of young Americans who are civically engaged and working for change.”
DeFazio was also involved in investigating the Boeing 737 MAX accidents, holding the FAA and Boeing accountable, reforming the airplane manufacturing certification process, and improving the safety of the traveling public. He changed the dual mandate at the Federal Aviation Administration to safety only.
DeFazio continues to work for public transit and high-speed rail investment included in the Build Back Better Act.
“Chairman DeFazio’s commitment to our industry has been unwavering and he has stood with us through thick and thin,” said Paul P. Skoutelas, APTA president and CEO. “APTA has had no better friend in Congress than Peter DeFazio and we wish him all the best in the future. He truly represents the best of Congress and is the model of a true citizen statesman. The industry would not be where it is today without his tremendous efforts.”
