[Congressional Record Volume 171, Number 110 (Thursday, June 26, 2025)]
[Extensions of Remarks]
[Page E627]
From the Congressional Record Online through the Government Publishing Office [www.gpo.gov]




 INTRODUCTION OF THE BRIDGE CORROSION PREVENTION AND REPAIR ACT OF 2025

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                          HON. JOHN GARAMENDI

                             of california

                    in the house of representatives

                        Thursday, June 26, 2025

  Mr. GARAMENDI. Mr. Speaker, today I introduced the ``Bridge Corrosion 
Prevention and Repair Act of 2025'' with Representative Mike Bost (R-
IL), Representative Chris Deluzio (D-PA), and Representative Brian 
Fitzpatrick (R-PA). I thank Representative Brownley (D-CA), 
Representative Krishnamoorthi (D-IL), Representative Gottheimer (D-NJ), 
and Representative Elfreth (D-MD) for cosponsoring this legislation.
  Our bipartisan legislation requires all federally funded bridge 
projects to use certified contractors for any corrosion control work 
and employ industry-recognized standards for corrosion mitigation and 
prevention. Specifically, our legislation would prompt State, county, 
and municipal transportation departments to employ qualified, trained 
corrosion control professionals who have completed federally registered 
apprenticeship programs.
  This legislation also builds on a recommendation from the National 
Transportation Safety Board and directs the Department of 
Transportation to study and generate best practices for inspecting and 
addressing corrosion on bridges made of weathering steel.
  In July 2021, the House passed Section 2 of the ``Bridge Corrosion 
Prevention and Repair Act'' as Section 1116 of former Chairman Peter A. 
DeFazio's (D-OR) ``Investing in a New Vision for the Environment and 
Surface Transportation (INVEST) in America Act,'' of which I was a 
cosponsor. While it was ultimately not included in the Infrastructure 
Investment and Jobs Act (Public Law 117-58), I continue working to 
build upon Chairman DeFazio's work on corrosion prevention policy and 
promoting apprenticeships.
  In the National Defense Authorization Act for Fiscal Year 2022 
(Public Law 117-81), I secured Section 813 (Office of Corrosion Policy 
and Oversight employee training requirements) directing the U.S. 
Department of Defense to make use of federally registered 
apprenticeship programs for training military personnel, civilian 
employees, and military construction contractors on anti-corrosion 
activities. Under my amendment to the FY2022 NDAA, the DOD's Office of 
Corrosion Policy and Oversight Employee Training Requirements is 
charged with coordinating this work.
  Under the 2021 Bipartisan Infrastructure Law, Congress and the Biden 
Administration are making the largest federal investment to modernize 
our nation's infrastructure since the Interstate Highway System was 
established in 1956. America's corrosion professionals and union 
painters are ready, willing, and able to do the job.
  Our legislation is endorsed by the International Union of Painters 
and Allied Trades (IUPAT) and the Association for Materials Protection 
and Performance (formerly called the National Association of Corrosion 
Engineers and the Society for Protective Coatings).
  Mr. Speaker, I urge all Members of the House to cosponsor the 
``Bridge Corrosion Prevention and Repair Act of 2025.''

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