Donald Payne Jr.

Thank you for holding this very timely hearing.

5G deployment has the potential to provide high-quality cellular service to millions of Americans. However, we must ensure that the deployment is, obviously, in a safe manner.

There are areas in which the Federal Government could have done better, quite a few, in anticipating issues with 5G deployment.

This would not have been necessary if there was proper communication across the Federal Government regarding the potential issues with 5G signals.

NTEU supports the Hazardous Duty Pay for Frontline Federal Workers Act (H.R. 2744), introduced by Representative Donald Payne (D-NJ)

Chair DeFazio has been a champion for advancing the state of transportation in America and making meaningful efforts to address climate change.

The $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act will modernize America's decaying infrastructure.

Thank you, Mr. Gardner, and it looks like we are finally getting to a point where Amtrak will finally receive the dollars that it was promised 50 years ago.

I will fight to ensure that these quality jobs are available to all Americans and that everyone has a fair shot at obtaining work created from these investments.

Chairman DeFazio has been a champion for advancing the state of transportation in America.

Three weeks ago, President Biden signed the most consequential infrastructure bill of the 21st century into law.

I ask unanimous consent that statements from the Association of American Railroads, Rail Passengers Association, and the States for Passenger Rail Coalition be entered into the record.

The Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act signed into law this week invests $17 billion into port infrastructure.

I am proud to represent Port Newark and its terminal operators that help keep the world's supply chain moving.

I have also been a firm advocate for the Chairman's bill, the Rights for the TSA Workforce Act

I introduced H.R. 2744, the Hazardous Duty Pay for Frontline Federal Workers Act earlier this year

I have been a longstanding advocate of the DOT's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise program, which facilitates the success of women- and minority-owned businesses throughout the transportation sector.

I believe this to be a historic event and that it sets significant precedent since this is the first hearing of its kind dedicated to identifying the pervasive racial discrimination in FRA-funded infrastructure contracting and minority…

Unfortunately, I have since learned that much work still needs to be done to ensure that everyone has a fair shot at obtaining work on Federal passenger rail contracts.

No business should have the door closed on them before they can prove that they deserve a seat at the table.

Imagine my surprise when I found out that there was no DBE program at the FRA.

Thank you, sir, for that compelling testimony.

I commend the chair for holding the hearing today.

I know that when companies conspire against a supplier to shut out the only minority firm manufacturing a particular product, you are being discriminated against.

the disparity, and the inequities of our capitalistic society, coupled with the injustices from America's history of discriminatory practices against African Americans specifically, are reasons that DBE program must continue to exist and…