Click here or the image above for Senator Capito’s remarks at today’s Senate Commerce Committee markup.
 

WASHINGTON, D.C. – U.S. Senator Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.), a member of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, today voted to pass two pieces of legislation, which she cosponsored, out of committee that would address the ongoing supply chain challenges and reduce the spread of toxic per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFAS) contamination at commercial airports.

Facilitating Relief for Efficient Intermodal Gateways to Handle Transportation (FREIGHT) Act

This bill would take important steps to address the ongoing freight challenges, while also putting in place policies to support the transportation network in the long term. Specifically, the FREIGHT Act would enhance appropriate government oversight of transportation operations, minimize barriers for stakeholders to address unlawful shipping conduct, streamline certification requirements for truck drivers, and incentivize the use of new technologies to improve efficiency.

“Ports across the United States are experiencing unprecedented congestion across our nation’s supply chain, which has resulted in delays and higher prices for goods on everyday Americans,” Senator Capito said. “Congress took a significant step in passing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, which not only reflects our commitment to our nation’s infrastructure, but will also make improvements and encourage efficiencies across the supply chain. These investments will take time to implement, which is why more action is needed to resolve the shipping crisis. I’m proud to join my colleagues in cosponsoring and voting for the FREIGHT Act that will help build on that work by minimizing barriers and harmonizing port operations in order to elevate the current shipping crisis.”

For more information on the FREIGHT Act, click here.

Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act

The Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act would deploy more existing Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) funding for commercial airports to purchase devices necessary to test their firefighting equipment without discharging toxic PFAS chemicals. This legislation would incentivize commercial airports to purchase the relatively low-cost devices—also referred to as an input-based testing system—to help limit and prevent exposure to PFAS, which are known as “forever chemicals” because they do not naturally break down.

“The FAA requires regular testing of firefighting equipment, which may put undue burdens on regional, commercial airports, and lead to the discharge of harmful chemicals like PFAS,” Senator Capito said. “Specifically, the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act would benefit several airports in West Virginia – like Yeager, Greenbrier, and Mid-Ohio Valley – and improve overall safety of their operations. This bill would enable them to purchase equipment to test their airport rescue and firefighting equipment without dispersing PFAS foam, and I’m glad the committee voted to advance it today.”

For more information on the Preventing PFAS Runoff at Airports Act, click here.

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