Full Committee Markup (September 3, 2025)

Committee on Public Works

2025-09-03

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Source: Congress.gov

Summary

The Committee on Transportation Infrastructure convened to consider its fiscal year 2026 views and estimates, and to mark up two significant pieces of legislation: the Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 (HR 4669) and the Counter UAS Authority Security Safety and Reauthorization Act (HR 5061). The meeting involved extensive discussion, amendments, and eventual passage of these items, highlighting the committee's focus on infrastructure, disaster preparedness, and national security.

Fiscal Year 2026 Views and Estimates

The committee discussed its busy and productive work during the first eight months of the 119th Congress, which included 30 hearings and roundtables, and the reporting of 27 bills out of committee. Members emphasized the importance of refocusing on core infrastructure, cutting red tape, accelerating project delivery, and ensuring states have flexibility to address their priorities, including shoring up the highway trust fund. The views and estimates were described as a starting point and a bipartisan roadmap for the committee's work in the upcoming fiscal year and congressional session[ 00:28:55 ] . The committee unanimously adopted the views and estimates for fiscal year 2026, which were then submitted to the House Committee on Budget.

Fixing Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 (HR 4669)

This legislation, also known as the FEMA Act of 2025, aims to reform the federal government's disaster response and recovery programs. Developed through months of bipartisan discussions and negotiations with over 150 stakeholders, the bill incorporates common-sense reforms to the nation's emergency management system. Key provisions include making FEMA a cabinet-level agency directly accountable to the President, replacing slow bureaucratic rebuilding processes with faster project-based grants, and streamlining federal permitting and procurement for quicker rebuilding. It also implements changes to provide better disaster assistance for survivors, overhauls FEMA's mitigation framework, and demands greater transparency and accountability from the agency. Members highlighted specific included provisions such as the Duplication of Benefits Victim Relief Act, the State-Managed Disaster Relief Act, the Natural Disaster Recovery Program Act, and the Rapid Disaster Relief Act, all designed to expedite aid, reduce red tape, and incentivize preparedness. Concerns were raised regarding sweeping waivers related to environmental review statutes, particularly the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA). A manager's amendment introduced additional improvements, including provisions for fast-moving disasters and flood resiliency investments for major roadways[ 01:09:25 ]

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. An amendment by Mr. Carson to ensure transparency by notifying members of Congress about all FEMA grants was also adopted. The bill, as amended, was favorably reported to the House with a vote of 57 yeas and 3 nays[ 01:59:55 ]

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Counter UAS Authority Security Safety and Reauthorization Act (HR 5061)

This act reauthorizes, reforms, and expands the existing counter unmanned aircraft system (UAS) authorities for federal agencies including DHS, DOJ, DOT, and FAA. The legislation is crucial for equipping federal agencies with the necessary technology to handle unlawful, malicious, and dangerous UAS operations as drones become more integrated into national airspace. The bill represents significant bipartisan effort across the Transportation & Infrastructure, Homeland Security, and Judiciary Committees. Key elements include improving consultation requirements among agencies, establishing standards for counter UAS training programs, and creating a pilot program for state law enforcement in counter UAS mitigation. It also establishes a special program for major events like the FIFA World Cup and the Summer Olympics to ensure security against UAS threats. The bill extends authorities, establishes an FAA office for UAS, and provides a framework for detection and mitigation at airports, while also ensuring privacy protections. Concerns were voiced regarding the limited scope of the pilot program for law enforcement agencies. A manager's amendment clarified definitions, allowed public safety agencies to participate in a drone operator program, and refined provisions for major event training. An amendment proposed by Mr. Burchett, which would allow individuals to shoot down drones over their property, was debated but ultimately not agreed to, failing with 26 yeas and 34 nays. The overall bill, as amended, was favorably reported to the House with 60 yeas and zero nays[ 02:03:55 ]

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Tone of the Meeting

The tone of the meeting was largely bipartisan and collaborative, with numerous members expressing gratitude for the extensive cross-committee work and negotiations. Many speakers highlighted the spirit of cooperation as essential for tackling complex issues like disaster management and drone security. While there were some expressed concerns, particularly regarding environmental provisions in the FEMA bill and the scope of the UAS pilot program, these were generally framed as opportunities for continued work and refinement rather than outright opposition. The only notable contentious point was the debate over Mr. Burchett's drone amendment, which was ultimately defeated through a recorded vote. Overall, the meeting reflected a productive and constructive legislative environment.

Participants

Transcript

Thank you.   All right.
I call the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure to order.  Pursuant to Committee Rule 6F and House Rule 11, Clause 2HF, the Chairman may postpone further proceedings today on any question of approving any measure or matter or adopting an amendment in which a recorded vote of the ayes and nays is ordered.  I'd ask unanimous consent that the Chairman be authorized to declare a recess at any time during today's meeting without objection.  That is so ordered.   Bill and amendment texts have been distributed electronically and paper copies are also available in the hearing room.  As a reminder, the committee may use an electronic system for any requested recorded votes.  Today, the committee is considering the fiscal year 2026 views and estimates of the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure.  An amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 4669, fixing the Emergency Management for Americans Act of 2025 or FEMA Act of 2025.   and an amendment in the nature of a substitute to HR 5061, the Counter UAS Authority Security Safety and Reauthorization Act.  Finally, I ask unanimous consent for the committee to use an amendments roster for any items under consideration by the committee without objection that is so ordered.  Our first item for consideration is the Committee on Transportation Infrastructure's Fiscal Year 2026 Views and Estimates.  And I now call up the views and estimates   Now, without objection, the first reading is dispensed with.  The views and estimates are now considered as read and open for amendment at any point.  I recognize myself for five minutes for a quick statement.  The committee has been busy and productive during the first eight months of the 119th Congress, and we have held 30 hearings and roundtables, reported 27 bills out of committee, and 21 bills referred to the committee have been approved by the House.   In particular, the committee helped deliver the reconciliation legislation that provided historic investments in the United States Coast Guard for border national security, as well as a down payment for the modernization of America's air traffic control system.
Earlier this summer, the committee advanced the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025 through the House, which will authorize and strengthen this critical armed service.  However, we still have plenty of work to do to move this bill forward and get it signed into law.   Later this year, the committee plans to consider several legislative items that will strengthen federal pipeline safety programs, reauthorize the Federal Maritime Commission, provide financial support for clean water infrastructure projects, and reauthorize the federal surface transportation programs.   This committee has an important opportunity to refocus on the core infrastructure that moves people and goods safely and efficiently, cut red tape and accelerate project delivery, and ensure the states have the flexibility to address their priorities.  Also to shore up the bankrupt highway trust fund.  I look forward to the house playing a robust role in this process and for this committee to develop the next surface transportation authorization bill in a bipartisan manner.   And I appreciate Ranking Member Larson for working with me, and I urge my colleagues to support the views and estimates for fiscal year 2026.  And I now recognize Rick for a statement.
Thank you, Mr. Chair.  Thanks for working with us on the budget views and estimates.  This report serves as a starting point for our work in fiscal year 26 and the second session of the 119th Congress.
Committee has a lot of work ahead of us, including drafting a new surface transportation reauthorization bill,   monitoring implementation of the Federal Aviation Administration reauthorization and getting the Coast Guard reauthorization and pipeline safety bills all across the finish line.  We also have a couple of bills we're working on today that are part of the important bipartisan work of this committee.   I believe these views and estimates reflect our desire to continue working in a bipartisan and productive manner.  Now, while all members of the committee may not agree with every aspect of this particular report, what we are marking up today reflects a bipartisan roadmap for the committee.  I urge my colleagues to join me in supporting the budget views and estimates.
With that, I yield back.
Do any other members wish to be recognized for a statement on the views and estimates?   for fiscal year 2026?  Seeing none, are there any amendments to the views and estimates for fiscal year 2026?  Hearing none, the question is now on adopting and submitting the views and estimates for the fiscal year 2026 to the House Committee on Budget.  All those in favor, signify by saying aye.  Aye.  All opposed, signify by saying nay.  If you need a chair, the ayes have it.  The views and estimates for fiscal year 2026 are adopted.   Pursuant to House Rule 10, Clause 4, it asks unanimous consent that fiscal year 2026 views and estimates as adopted by the Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure be submitted to the Committee on Budget.  Without objection, that is so ordered.   All right, our next item for consideration is HR 4669, the FEMA Act of 2025.  And I'd ask unanimous consent to discharge the Subcommittee on Economic Development, Public Buildings, and Emergency Management from further consideration of HR 4669.

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