Transportation and Infrastructure Committee advances bipartisan package of water, aviation, GSA and rail measures

The House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure favorably reported a broad set of bipartisan bills in a markup that covered water‑program reauthorizations, multiple aviation safety and modernization measures, rail safety reporting, and several General Services Administration (GSA) actions.

Representative Stauber, offering HR 64 22, the American Water Stewardship Act, described the measure as “a comprehensive package that brings together six stand‑alone bills to reauthorize and strengthen key EPA water quality and ecosystem restoration programs,” highlighting reauthorizations of the National Estuary Program and the Great Lakes Restoration Initiative. Stauber said the package includes oversight provisions and a GAO reporting requirement to evaluate program performance.

On aviation, the committee approved several bills. Representative Knott described HR 62 67, the Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act, as a response to recent incidents of forged paperwork and said it would direct the Government Accountability Office to study barriers to digitizing FAA records and to recommend steps toward voluntary digital ARCs (authorized release certificates). “A few forged signatures are all that it takes for nefarious actors to inject hundreds, if not thousands, of dangerous, fraudulent parts into planes,” Knott said during debate.

Representative Titus led adoption of HR 56 63 to expand membership of the Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee to include a ticket‑agent representative. Representative Mann’s HR 64 60, the Recreational Drone Empowerment Act, was described as a technical correction to allow community‑based organizations to seek FAA authorization to operate in certain Class E airspace; members stressed the bill does not automatically permit flights near airports.

Lawmakers also approved HR 60 86, the Aviation Funding Solvency Act, to allow the FAA to use the Aviation Insurance Revolving Fund to pay critical aviation personnel during a lapse in appropriations. Members cited the 43‑day shutdown as precedent: “Over 10,000 certified professional controllers and more than 3,000 trainees … were forced to work without pay,” Representative Carson said, urging support for protections that would keep the aviation system functioning during future shutdowns.

The Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act (HR 34 10) was advanced with a technical amendment clarifying FAA authority to set noise standards and conduct periodic reviews; sponsors said the bill would permit supersonic operations provided sonic booms do not reach the ground and set guardrails on noise. The committee also approved HR 57 83 (Safe Tracks Act) to require the Federal Railroad Administration to report on state efforts to reduce pedestrian fatalities and suicides along railroad rights‑of‑way.

On GSA oversight and facilities, the committee ordered favorably reported HR 64 80, directing the General Services Administration to resume an annual “state of the portfolio” report to improve transparency about federal properties, and HR 64 81, which directs GSA and the Federal Protective Service to develop emergency communication guidance for occupants of GSA‑owned buildings. Members debated three GSA capital and leasing resolutions en bloc, including renovation and alteration work at the Ronald Reagan Federal Building tied to FBI headquarters planning and a courthouse design authorization in San Juan, Puerto Rico.

Votes at a glance (committee action): HR 64 22, American Water Stewardship Act — amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted; HR 64 22 as amended agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote; chair’s opinion: ayes have it). HR 62 67, Aviation Supply Chain Safety and Security Digitization Act — agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 56 63, Aviation Consumer Protection Advisory Committee Modernization Act — amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted; HR 56 63 as amended agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 64 27, Airport Regulatory Relief Act of 2025 — amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted; HR 64 27 as amended agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 64 60, Recreational Drone Empowerment Act — agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 60 86, Aviation Funding Solvency Act — amendment in the nature of a substitute adopted; HR 60 86 as amended agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 34 10, Supersonic Aviation Modernization Act — amendment(s) adopted; HR 34 10 as amended agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 57 83, Safe Tracks Act — agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 64 80, GSA state of the portfolio reporting bill — agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). HR 64 81, Federal Building Threat Notification Act — agreed to and ordered favorably reported to the House (committee voice vote). Three GSA capital/leasing resolutions (en bloc) — agreed to and approved (committee voice vote).

Committee members from both parties repeatedly framed the markup as bipartisan and emphasized oversight, worker protections, and safety. The committee authorized staff to make technical, conforming edits and granted the chair authority, after consulting the ranking member, to offer motions in the House as needed. The committee adjourned after certifying a quorum and completing its business.