With Democrats rising to power in the U.S. House of Representatives and the government recently reopened (temporarily at least), it's time to plot the legislative ambitions of the coming session in Congress.

Rep. Peter DeFazio (D-OR) sat down for an interview with Angie Schmitt to lay out expectations for transportation policy as a result of new Democratic leadership in the House of Representatives.
Rep. DeFazio is the chair of the House Transportation Committee, and is thus "perhaps the most powerful person to shape federal transportation policy," according to Schmitt. Rep. DeFazio's track record in Congress, serving since 1987, includes leadership "on issues such as holding designers accountable for unsafe streets and promoting increased protection for women on public transit," according to Schmitt.
The interview ranges from major policy pushes, funding for alternative transportation, the Highway Trust Fund, a potential federal infrastructure bill, and pedestrian safety. Rep. DeFazio opens the interview with a bold statement about the need to move beyond fossil fuels in transportation.
FULL STORY: New House Transportation Chair: ‘We Need to Move Beyond Fossil Fuel’

Planetizen Federal Action Tracker
A weekly monitor of how Trump’s orders and actions are impacting planners and planning in America.

Chicago’s Ghost Rails
Just beneath the surface of the modern city lie the remnants of its expansive early 20th-century streetcar system.

Amtrak Cutting Jobs, Funding to High-Speed Rail
The agency plans to cut 10 percent of its workforce and has confirmed it will not fund new high-speed rail projects.

Ohio Forces Data Centers to Prepay for Power
Utilities are calling on states to hold data center operators responsible for new energy demands to prevent leaving consumers on the hook for their bills.

MARTA CEO Steps Down Amid Citizenship Concerns
MARTA’s board announced Thursday that its chief, who is from Canada, is resigning due to questions about his immigration status.

Silicon Valley ‘Bike Superhighway’ Awarded $14M State Grant
A Caltrans grant brings the 10-mile Central Bikeway project connecting Santa Clara and East San Jose closer to fruition.
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