U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure

04/30/2026 | Press release | Distributed by Public on 04/30/2026 11:34

The Runway: April Recap

ALERT ACT PASSES THE HOUSE

The House passed the Airspace Location and Enhanced Risk Transparency (ALERT) Act of 2026, the bipartisan, comprehensive legislative response to the aviation safety issues raised by the tragic 2025 midair collision between American Airlines flight 5342 and a UH-60 Army Black Hawk helicopter at Ronald Reagan Washington National Airport (DCA). Led by Chairman Sam Graves and Ranking Member Rick Larsen, alongside Armed Services Committee leaders, the legislation reflects close coordination across committees to address aviation safety challenges.

The ALERT Act responds to all 50 safety recommendations from the National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB), incorporating updates developed in consultation with the NTSB and aviation stakeholders. The legislation has garnered broad support from aviation industry groups committed to strengthening the safety of the national airspace system.

Read more about the ALERT Act here.

SUBCOMMITTEE HEARINGS

Revitalizing Shipbuilding and the Maritime Industrial Base

The Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee held a joint hearing with the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Seapower and Projection Forces. The hearing focused on strengthening America's shipbuilding capacity to meet growing national security demands. Both Members and witnesses emphasized the need to build military and commercial vessels domestically. Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) underscored support for President Trump's push to invest heavily in U.S. shipbuilding, citing the need to protect national security and guard our shores.

The hearing stressed the importance of fixing persistent challenges in recapitalization efforts, such as cost overruns, delays, and inefficiencies. Witnesses emphasized that shipbuilding is essential to projecting power abroad, securing U.S. waters, and ensuring the Coast Guard can become more effective as the demand for new vessels grows.

Read more about the joint subcommittee hearing here.

Review of the Coast Guard's Fiscal Year 2027 Budget Request


Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) discusses the need to fund the Department of Homeland Security at the Subcommittee hearing on April 28th.

The Commandant and Master Chief Petty Officer of the Coast Guard gave testimony on the President's fiscal year 2027 Coast Guard budget request at a Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee hearing. Members discussed the urgent need to fund the Department of Homeland Security (DHS). Chairman Sam Graves (R-MO) commended the more than 50,000 Coast Guard servicemembers and personnel who continue to step up, even amid uncertainty about their paychecks. As the only military service impacted by the DHS shutdown, they're still doing their job, regardless of concerns about their pay. Both Members and witnesses stressed that securing a DHS funding agreement is essential to supporting these personnel and maintaining operational readiness.

Under the Coast Guard Authorization Act of 2025, Congress provided the Coast Guard with the much-needed investments after years of underfunding, supporting upgrades to ships, aircraft, and facilities. Chairman Graves and Chairman Ezell stated that with this funding comes a responsibility for strong oversight, urging the Coast Guard to continue providing acquisition updates and long-term planning to ensure funds are used effectively.

Read more about the subcommittee hearing here.

MEMBERS SPOTLIGHT


Rep. Mike Ezell

As Chairman of the Coast Guard and Maritime Transportation Subcommittee, Rep. Mike Ezell (R-MS) has advocated for rebuilding America's shipbuilding capacity, ensuring ships are built in U.S. shipyards. He also has spoken out in support of servicemembers who continue their missions without pay during the DHS funding lapse. Rep. Ezell is a second-term Congressman from Mississippi's 4th district and was a career law enforcement officer for more than 40 years.


Rep. Clay Fuller

Rep. Clay Fuller (R-GA) was sworn in to Congress this month after winning a special election to represent Georgia's 14th District. He previously served as District Attorney for Georgia's Lookout Mountain Judicial Circuit and has supported national security operations as a Lieutenant Colonel in the Air National Guard, including a deployment with U.S. Central Command.

IN THE NEWS

Rep. David Rouzer for Passenger Transport: Safety First: Rebuilding Trust in Public Transit

 Newsmax: Rep. McDowell to Newsmax: GOP Must Fund DHS Without Dems

FOX News: Rep Jeff Van Drew slams Congress amid DHS shutdown

CBS: House passes aviation safety bill in response to deadly midair collision near D.C.

The Hill: House passes aviation safety bill on second try

U.S. House of Representatives Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure published this content on April 30, 2026, and is solely responsible for the information contained herein. Distributed via Public Technologies (PUBT), unedited and unaltered, on April 30, 2026 at 17:34 UTC. If you believe the information included in the content is inaccurate or outdated and requires editing or removal, please contact us at [email protected]