About Peter

Peter DeFazio was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives in 1986.

Peter is a senior member of the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, where he serves as chairman of the House Highways and Transit Subcommittee. In 2005, he helped draft a $244 billion federal highways and transit funding bill which included $2.7 billion for transportation projects in Oregon. These federal investments helped create thousands of jobs and improved the state's long term economic viability. Peter has written the current highways and transit funding bill.

Peter serves on the House Committee on Homeland Security, and works to meet the national security needs of the country. He has consistently fought to increase funds to protect our ports and our borders.

Peter also serves on the House Resources Committee, when he is active on the Subcommittee for Forests and Forest Health. Peter is leading the effort to reform federal forest policy to meet the needs of all communities in Oregon.

Not Your Usual Politician - Effective Outspoken Leadership

"Though his independence drives leaders of his party crazy, it is the foundation of DeFazio's success in a district that is large and ideologically varied," Oregonian, 4/19/10

"One need look no further than the dramatic vote in the House Monday to see how DeFazio stands up for taxpayers. The 22-year House veteran voted ‘no’ with the majority, because he thinks more of the financial burden of the $700 billion bailout package should be put on money traders, not taxpayers.

Eventually, DeFazio and his colleagues will need to compromise and pass a financial package. But it's comforting to know lawmakers such as DeFazio are looking out for ‘the little guy,’ despite pressure from the highest level of government and CEOs." The Grants Pass Daily Courier endorsement article, 10/1/08

"[DeFazio is a] fierce advocate for Oregon who is building seniority in the House and helping this state with its transportation infrastructure and other needs. " The Oregonian, 1/8/07

"DeFazio directed hundreds of millions of dollars to Oregon for bridge and highway repair," The Oregonian, 1/8/07

"DeFazio continues to be an independent thinker who values hard work and results more than rhetoric, and the practical more than party ideology." - Corvallis Gazette-Times, October 16, 2004

"The DeFazio that people in Oregon's 4th District have known for 20 years is the same DeFazio who represents them in Congress: hard-working, independent and politically shrewd." -Register Guard September 27, 2006