Press Releases 11/18/15

WASHINGTON, DC – Today, Congressman Frank Pallone, Jr. (NJ-06), Ranking Member of the House Energy and Commerce Committee, announced that he has been selected by House Democratic Leader Nancy Pelosi (CA-12) to be a member of the Conference Committee that is tasked with negotiating final surface transportation legislation – the Surface Transportation Reauthorization and Reform Act of 2015.  The Conference Committee, made up of a bipartisan, bicameral set of Members, will negotiate between the House-passed and Senate-passed versions of the legislation.

“On the Conference Committee, I am committed to representing and supporting the interests of American consumers and the transportation systems New Jerseyans rely on every day,” said Congressman Pallone.  “We have an opportunity to produce and pass a final bill that simultaneously strengthens our economy and provides overdue repairs and improvements to our roads, bridges and entire transportation system.”

Auto safety is under the jurisdiction of the Energy and Commerce Committee, and one of his top priorities as a conferee is protecting American drivers and holding automakers accountable.  He is pushing for the removal of language that allows companies to avoid fixing defective cars.

Pallone has also been pushing for the removal of a provision from the House version of the legislation that would cut $50 million annually from New Jersey Transit.  The amendment would eliminate the High Density States Program – known as the 5340 Program – cutting federal public transportation funding to several states by approximately $263 million per year, including the cut to NJ Transit.