The Biden Administration’s nominee to head the Federal Highway Administration is scheduled to begin confirmation hearings in front of the Environment and Public Works Committee on Sept. 14.
Shailen P. Bhatt, president and CEO of the Intelligent Transportation Society of America, has been widely touted as a viable candidate to assume a role that will see heightened scrutiny. Leading the Federal Highway Administration typically involved overseeing relatively modest government spending. If confirmed, Bhatt would possess significant influence over spending related to the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. As the agency’s top administrator, he would enjoy a leadership role in the U.S. Department of Transportation headed by Secretary Pete Buttigieg.
Delaware Sen. Tom Carper, who chairs the Environment and Public Works Committee, has thrown his support behind the nominee. Ranked among the authors of the Infrastructure legislation, Sen. Carper recently advocated for his confirmation.
“Bhatt’s resume is nearly perfect for leading a transportation agency with such a critical infrastructure mission,” Sen Carter reportedly said. “I have a long history of working with Shailen, and he is an outstanding choice.”
Stakeholders such as Jim Tymon, executive director of the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials, have also gone on the record supporting Bhatt’s nomination.
“His leadership roles at both the Delaware and Colorado departments of transportation, as well as his time at the U.S. Department of Transportation, the Intelligent Transportation Society of America and AECOM, demonstrate his ability to bring people together to ensure we have a safe, sustainable, equitable and multimodal transportation system that enables mobility for everyone,” Tymon reportedly said.
Those sentiments have been widely echoed across the political infrastructure landscape.
“The breadth of experience he brings to the role as the former leader of two state departments of transportation, CEO of ITS America, and senior vice president at AECOM will strengthen our nation’s highway system,” Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti reportedly said. Gutierrez-Scaccetti serves as commissioner of the New Jersey Department of Transportation, as well as president of the International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association.
Although Bhatt’s initial confirmation hearings have been scheduled before the U.S. Senate, his ascension to the office could take longer than the vetting. Robin Hutcheson, a nominee to run the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, has been in a holding pattern for months. Her Senate hearings went relatively smoothly, but the legislative body is yet to vote on her post.
Hutcheson’s time before the Senate Commerce Committee ended on June 22, when she was favorably recommended for a floor vote. She continues to serve as Deputy Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration. Bhatt’s appointment could face similar slow-walking in the Senate if he passes muster at the committee level.
Source: ttnews.com
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