Fitzpatrick Takes Edgely Fight to Congress with Bipartisan Community Protection Bill

This press release from Representative Brian K. Fitzpatrick (R-PA) was published on 2026-09-04 and titled "Fitzpatrick Takes Edgely Fight to Congress with Bipartisan Community Protection Bill".

Fitzpatrick Takes Edgely Fight to Congress with Bipartisan Community Protection Bill

Legislation born from Fitzpatrick's work alongside PA-1 residents would strengthen property protections, transparency, and community voice in major federal infrastructure decisions WASHINGTON, D.C. - Today, Congressman Brian Fitzpatrick (PA-01), joined by Congressman Don Davis (NC-01), introduced the bipartisan Edgely Community Protection and Transparency Act , legislation shaped directly by the concerns and experiences of residents in Bristol Township's historic Edgely riverfront community. The bill would strengthen transparency and accountability in the federal environmental review process when major infrastructure projects could result in the acquisition of homes or other residential property. For months, Fitzpatrick has led a sustained effort alongside Edgely residents and Bristol Township leaders to protect the community as the Pennsylvania Turnpike Commission and New Jersey Turnpike Authority plan the future of the Delaware River Turnpike Bridge. After residents raised serious concerns about the potential consequences for their homes, property rights, and neighborhood, Fitzpatrick moved quickly to bring those concerns directly to the agencies responsible, convene with residents and local leaders, assess potential impacts, and press for every feasible alternative capable of avoiding or minimizing harm to the community to be fully examined. That work exposed a clear gap in federal law. Agencies can weigh multiple alternatives for a major infrastructure project without being specifically required to tell residents, in plain terms, how each option could affect their homes and property. The Edgely Community Protection and Transparency Act would close that gap - turning what Edgely residents uncovered through this fight into a stronger federal standard for transparency, property rights, and community voice nationwide. "This legislation belongs first and foremost to the people of Edgely. Their willingness to speak up, stay engaged, and fight for the neighborhood they love is what brought us to this moment," said Fitzpatrick. "When residents first came to me, I understood immediately that this was about far more than an infrastructure proposal. It was about whether families could remain in their homes, whether private property rights would be respected, and whether a historic community would have a real say in its own future. So we went to work. We brought Edgely's case directly to the agencies making these decisions, challenged them to consider every viable path forward, and kept pressing for answers wherever the process fell short. In doing so, we found something Congress has the power - and responsibility - to fix: communities facing the potential loss of residential property are not guaranteed a clear comparison of how the alternatives before the government would affect them. This bill changes that. We should never accept a false choice between building the infrastructure our communities need and protecting the communities themselves. We can do both and must do both. I'm grateful to Congressman Don Davis for joining me in this bipartisan effort and helping turn a fight that began in Edgely into meaningful protection for communities nationwide." "Families and landowners across eastern North Carolina deserve clear information when federal projects could affect their property or livelihoods. The Edgely Community Protection and Transparency Act would provide greater transparency around potential property acquisitions and ensure affected communities have an opportunity to be heard before federal agencies move forward. No one should be kept in the dark about decisions that could affect their homes, farms, businesses, and way of life," said Davis. "Bristol Township Council is grateful to Congressman Fitzpatrick for listening to our residents and taking their concerns directly to Washington," said Bristol Township Council President Craig Bowen. "The families of Edgely deserve to know that every reasonable alternative has been fully considered before decisions are made that could forever change their neighborhood or force residents from their homes. This community has stood together, asked important questions, and made it clear that progress should never come at the expense of transparency or a meaningful public voice. The Edgely Community Protection and Transparency Act takes what our residents have experienced here in Bristol Township and turns it into stronger protections for communities across the country. We appreciate Congressman Fitzpatrick's continued partnership and his commitment to making sure the people of Edgely are heard throughout this process." The Edgely Community Protection and Transparency Act would: Require agencies to identify and compare anticipated property-acquisition impacts of a proposed federal action and every alternative analyzed. Require an agency that selects a preferred alternative to state whether that option minimizes property acquisition compared with the other alternatives. Requ