John D. Boyd | Aug 05, 2009 4:02PM EDT
A key Senate committee approved the president’s nominees for senior jobs at the Department of Transportation, to lead the Surface Transportation Board and fill a slot at the National Transportation Safety Board.
The Aug. 5 action by the Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee sent those nominations to the full Senate for a confirmation vote.
Those cleared by the committee include Christopher P. Bertram to be assistant DOT secretary for budget and programs as well as chief financial officer, and Susan L. Kurland as assistant secretary for aviation and international affairs.
Daniel R. Elliott III was approved as a member of the three-person STB, and President Obama has said that upon confirmation Elliott would also be designated as chairman. However, the Senate committee put a hold on his nomination (see story here).
The STB, which handles economic regulation of railroads, now has Francis P. Mulvey as acting chairman since mid-March, and Charles D. Nottingham as a board member.
The Senate panel also okayed Christopher A. Hart to join the NTSB, which investigates accidents to determine their cause and recommend policy changes to improve safety.
Contact John D. Boyd at jboyd@joc.com.
See also Controversy Flares Over STB Nomination.