It's wonderful to report that the U. S. Senate can agree on something. Charlotte, N. C. Mayor Anthony Foxx was confirmed as Secretary, Transportation on Thursday with a vote of 100-0.
Foxx (42) rose to national prominence as an ally and key supporter of President Obama when the Democratic Convention was held in Charlotte last year. He will succeed Ray LaHood in the position of Transportation Secretary where he will oversee the agencies that regulate the nation's aviation, rail, transit and highway systems, as well as auto safety. He will face the challenges presented by large spending cuts and a deteriorating infrastructure including roads, airports, air traffic control systems, rail and ports.
Safety will be his top priority, Foxx told the Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee at a nomination hearing a month ago. Since then, a major highway bridge partially collapsed in Washington state, two freight trains collided in Missouri, another freight train derailed and caught fire in Maryland and two commuter trains crashed in Connecticut.
His other priorities, Foxx said, will be improving the efficiency and performance of the existing transportation system, and rebuilding the nation’s infrastructure “to meet the needs of the next generation of Americans.”
Foxx is no stranger to Washington, D. C., having served as a Justice Department attorney and a Democratic aide to the House Judiciary Committee.
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