Nomination of Polly E. Trottenberg (S. Hrg. 117-703, March 3, 2021)
Summary
Senate Hearing 117-703 records the March 3, 2021 hearing of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation on the nomination of Polly E. Trottenberg to be Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. Chair Maria Cantwell presided and states that Ms. Trottenberg served the City of New York as Transportation Commissioner from 2014 to 2020. The witnesses were Hon. Ray LaHood and the nominee, whose prepared statement and biographical information are included. The contents list statements by senators and, in the appendix, responses to written questions from Hon. Maria Cantwell, Hon. Amy Klobuchar, Hon. Edward Markey and others. The final answer commits to investments and programs that let the transportation system support economic growth.
Summary drafted by a model from the document's text below and checked by script against that text before publication. It is a navigation aid, not a reading of what the document proves. Where AI is used
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“Nomination of Polly E. Trottenberg (S. Hrg. 117-703, March 3, 2021).”
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[Senate Hearing 117-703]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 117-703
NOMINATION OF POLLY E. TROTTENBERG,
NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
MARCH 3, 2021
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
53-059 WASHINGTON : 2023
ONE HUNDRED SEVENTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
MARIA CANTWELL, Washington, Chair
AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Ranking
RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut JOHN THUNE, South Dakota
BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii ROY BLUNT, Missouri
EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts TED CRUZ, Texas
GARY PETERS, Michigan DEB FISCHER, Nebraska
TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin JERRY MORAN, Kansas
TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska
JON TESTER, Montana MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee
KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona TODD YOUNG, Indiana
JACKY ROSEN, Nevada MIKE LEE, Utah
BEN RAY LUJAN, New Mexico RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin
JOHN HICKENLOOPER, Colorado SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West
RAPHAEL WARNOCK, Georgia Virginia
RICK SCOTT, Florida
CYNTHIA LUMMIS, Wyoming
David Strickland, Staff Director
Melissa Porter, Deputy Staff Director
George Greenwell, Policy Coordinator and Security Manager
John Keast, Republican Staff Director
Crystal Tully, Republican Deputy Staff Director
Steven Wall, General Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on March 3, 2021.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 1
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 3
Statement of Senator Schatz...................................... 34
Statement of Senator Thune....................................... 36
Statement of Senator Fischer..................................... 38
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 40
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 42
Statement of Senator Tester...................................... 44
Statement of Senator Rosen....................................... 46
Statement of Senator Blackburn................................... 47
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 49
Statement of Senator Sullivan.................................... 51
Statement of Senator Warnock..................................... 53
Statement of Senator Young....................................... 54
Statement of Senator Hickenlooper................................ 56
Statement of Senator Lummis...................................... 58
Statement of Senator Klobuchar................................... 60
Witnesses
Hon. Ray LaHood, Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation.... 4
Polly E. Trottenberg, Nominee to be Deputy Secretary, U.S.
Department of Transportation................................... 6
Prepared statement........................................... 7
Biographical information..................................... 9
Appendix
Response to written questions submitted to Polly E. Trottenberg
by:
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 63
Hon. Amy Klobuchar........................................... 65
Hon. Edward Markey........................................... 66
Hon. Kyrsten Sinema.......................................... 67
Hon. Jacky Rosen............................................. 68
Roger Wicker................................................. 69
Hon. Roy Blunt............................................... 72
Hon. Ted Cruz................................................ 73
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 79
Hon. Mike Lee................................................ 80
Hon. Shelley Moore Capito.................................... 82
Hon. Rick Scott.............................................. 83
Hon. Cynthia Lummis.......................................... 84
NOMINATION OF POLLY E. TROTTENBERG,
NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
----------
WEDNESDAY, MARCH 3, 2021
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:08 a.m., in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Maria
Cantwell, Chair of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Cantwell [presiding], Klobuchar, Schatz,
Peters, Tester, Rosen, Lujan, Hickenlooper, Warnock, Wicker,
Thune, Cruz, Fischer, Sullivan, Blackburn, Young, and Lummis.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
The Chair. Good morning, everyone. Today, we are
considering the nomination of Polly Trottenberg to be Deputy
Secretary of Transportation. The Deputy Secretary is the number
two spot at the Department of Transportation and plays a
critical role in ensuring the safety and security of our
Nation's transportation system. Ms. Trottenberg is eminently
qualified for this role.
After 30 years of transportation expertise already under
her belt, most recently with the City of New York as
Transportation Commissioner from 2014 to 2020, I think she has
a great understanding of our Nation's transportation needs. She
helped implement the country's first Vision Zero Traffic Safety
Program--Vision Zero is an ambitious idea that will help us
tolerate and prevent basically unwanted deaths in our streets
by having better systems--and is a tireless advocate for
equitable and important transportation projects throughout our
major cities.
U.S. Department of Transportation will be familiar with Ms.
Trottenberg. She served in the Department of Transportation
from 2009 to 2014, first as Assistant Secretary for Policy and
later as Undersecretary for Policy, the third ranking official
at DOT. And in those important roles, she was responsible for
implementing legislation developing key transportation
initiatives, including starting up the TIGER Grant Program now
known as the Bill Discretionary Grant Program. And I can just
tell you already a lot of the questions I am going to have is
going to be around freight and major transportation
infrastructure investment that our economy in the Pacific
Northwest depends on. So thank you for your leadership there.
And as a testament to her success of the Department, Secretary
Ray LaHood, Ms. Trottenberg's former boss, is also going to be
joining us today to, I think to discuss properly via the web
your expertise and his support for you. So we are certainly
welcoming him back to this committee and thank him for all of
his leadership particularly.
I would like to thank him for his leadership on moving
freight. In addition to her work in Congress in 2008, Ms.
Trottenberg became the first Executive Director of Building
America's Future, a nonprofit organization that supported
increased investment in infrastructure and major transportation
policy reform, and obviously, your great educational
background. We are so excited to have you here in a leadership
position. Our Nation's State Departments of Transportation are
estimating that $50 billion in revenue losses over the next 5
years due to COVID-19. So our airports have lost over $23
billion and reduction from traveling public. Our transit
agencies have lost $50 billion in revenue as of 2021, something
you can probably speak directly to. And in the State of
Washington, we are facing a $1.14 billion in transportation
revenue loss over the next 10 years as a result of the COVID
pandemic. So I can tell you that that story now with a story
that is going to come out today, Americans Safety, American
Society of Civil Engineers, who are basically going to say this
is the investment America needs to make in transportation or
our economy through GDP is going to lose trillions of dollars.
So we have the COVID story of lost revenue, and we have
assessment by our civil engineers saying we need much more
investment in transportation infrastructure. So facing this
economic outlook, it is critical that we have someone with Ms.
Trottenberg's leadership and expertise to help us in the
transportation sector. Of course, in the pandemic, we will need
to get people moving. That includes Amtrak and the airlines,
and the aviation sector overall, and certainly support workers
who are just trying to get to and from their work in their
daily lives. So all of this is a difficult task, but we know
that you are up to it.
I want to mention a couple of things that I believe are
critical to our infrastructure in the future in my state. Sound
transit is in the midst of one of its biggest expansions in the
nation, really, and it faces a billion dollar shortfall in
budget, also impacted by COVID and the loss of local investment
that taxpayers would have normally been putting into the
system. And due to the pandemic, we see the challenges that it
will face and really completing this project at as has been
imagined. There are also many freight projects in the Northwest
in places like the West Seattle Bridge, which are suffering
from critical cracks in the concrete. Infrastructure has made
it unsafe to make our ports as cost effective as they could be
in delivering freight.
And so we need to have a backup. We are talking about
moving not just products from the Northwest but products
throughout the United States from the Midwest who come through
our ports to travel to Asia. So there are many other examples
of major investments, whether it is the Columbia River crossing
or the Trussell in Everett. There are many examples where we in
the Pacific Northwest need to keep people moving. That
investment will mean job growth and help our economy in the
future.
So I look forward to having a chance to ask you questions,
but more importantly, I look forward to having you confirmed
and over at the Department of Transportation so we can get to
work on these many issues. Now, I will turn to my Ranking
Member for his opening statement, Senator Wicker.
STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. Senator Cantwell, thank you very much for
holding this hearing and congratulations on negotiating the
streets of Washington, D.C. to arrive very near the starting
time. I want to welcome Polly Trottenberg as the President's
nominee to be Deputy Secretary of Transportation. I do want to
note that I believe the preparation timeline was rushed for a
hearing on such a significant position at the Department of
Transportation. We had just a few days to review all of Ms.
Trottenberg's paperwork after it was submitted. And to Ms.
Trottenberg's credit, she has a lengthy professional record
containing decisions made in speeches given over the course of
many years.
So I just want to state for the record that the vetting
process for nominees under consideration by this committee
should be thorough and there should always be sufficient time
for careful consideration. I am gently observing that I hope
the rushed process here will be an exception. Ms. Trottenberg
was a staff member in the Senate for approximately 12 years
while working for three different Senators, and this career
background should give her a helpful perspective. Additionally,
she has appeared before our committee several times when she
was nominated to serve as Assistant Secretary of Transportation
Policy, Undersecretary of Transportation for Policy, and as a
Government witness during the Obama Administration. Ms.
Trottenberg has other notable public service experience which
could significantly benefit the American public. Over the past
7 years, she has served as Commissioner of the New York City
Department of Transportation.
I hope this experience has given her a fresh perspective on
the regulatory and budgetary difficulties that local
governments face while also performing our views--informing her
views on how the U.S. Department of Transportation can be of
assistance to states and municipalities. I look forward to
hearing from Ms. Trottenberg today regarding how she would
assist Secretary Buttigieg and President Biden in addressing
the transportation challenges facing our country. Some of these
challenges include crafting a bipartisan agreement to pass the
next surface transportation reauthorization bill and the
potential consideration of infrastructure legislation.
I want to take this opportunity to raise a word of caution
and concern to the nominee and to my colleagues. Any such
legislation should be passed in a bipartisan fashion.
Transportation issues have a tremendous impact on all Americans
and therefore all Members of Congress should be included in the
legislative process regarding such issues. This has been our
tradition. The current budget reconciliation process is a prime
example of an overtly partisan exercise that would not best
address American infrastructure needs. I raised a number of key
matters with Secretary Buttigieg at his confirmation hearing,
and so I will not repeat all of them now.
I would also note that I was pleased to report--vote to
report the nomination and to support the nomination on the
floor. I do want to emphasize one of my top priorities
restoring Amtrak service along the Gulf Coast, where it was
halted after Hurricane Katrina more than 15 years ago, way too
long, and I will look forward to working with Ms. Trottenberg
on this issue if she is confirmed. Thank you, Madam Chair.
The Chair. Well, thank you, Senator Wicker, and thank you
for your indulgence in allowing us to have this hearing today.
I certainly plan for us to follow due process here in giving
consideration for members to make sure their time and questions
and everything are answered. I certainly appreciate the
courtesy of having this today because of all of the things that
are going on in transportation.
Aviation safety issues continue to plague us. The amount of
resources, as you are mentioning, in the COVID packages now and
in the future related to transportation investments. We
definitely could use a full suite of people at DOT to help us
on those. And I certainly expect to be working in a bipartisan
basis together on the fact that the surface transportation bill
is up for reauthorization and it has to be, in my opinion,
worked out together. So with that, I am going to turn to our
special guest who wants to say a few words. And we are so
pleased to have former Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood with
us today.
Again, thank you, Mr. Secretary, for your years of service
in the Department of Transportation. And I personally want to
thank you again for your efforts to establish a national
freight program. It has meant a lot to, I think, the movement
of goods and to the GDP of our economy. So, with that.
STATEMENT OF HON. RAY LaHOOD, SECRETARY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. LaHood. Thank you, Chair Cantwell and to the entire
committee. I have such fond memories of appearing before the
Commerce Committee during my time as Secretary and certainly a
lot of good memories of working with Chair Cantwell on freight
transportation, which she made one of her top priorities while
we were at the Department. And to my dear former colleague,
Ranking Member Senator Wicker, who he and I came to Congress
together in 1995 and served together while we were both in the
House. And obviously, he got a great promotion from the people
of his state to serve in the Senate.
And Roger and I worked very closely together as members of
the House during our time. And certainly while I was at DOT, we
were--continued our friendship. I also want to give a shout out
to David Strickland, because while I was at DOT, David was a
part of our team. He was the Administrator of NHTSA and did a
terrific job really tackling a lot of tough, tough safety
issues. And I am proud of David and the work that he is now
doing as Staff Director for the Senate Commerce Committee. It
is an honor for me today to introduce Polly Trottenberg, the
nominee to be the Deputy Secretary of the U.S. Department of
Transportation.
And as I said, I am delighted to be back before the Senate
Commerce Committee, where I think I have a lot of friends, some
former colleagues, but many that I worked with while I was
Secretary. I think Polly's experience really breaks down into
three different categories: her Congressional experience, her
local Government experience in the City of New York, and her
experience at DOT. And to be honest, I can't think of anyone
more qualified to help Secretary Buttigieg lead the Department
of Transportation. Polly is the right person for this job.
I know many of you are familiar with Polly, given her
nearly three decades of public service. She served for 12 years
as a Senate staffer working for Senator Moynihan, Senator
Schumer, and Senator Boxer. She has a deep understanding of
transportation policy and the important work of your committee.
During her time in the Senate, she practiced bipartisan
coalition building to help achieve successful legislative
outcomes. And I know your committee does that also. She worked
intimately on both, T21 and SAFETEA-LU. During my time as
Secretary, I recognized Polly's thoughtful leadership in
transportation and recommended her for both Assistant Secretary
for Transportation Policy and later to become the number three
person at DOT, the Undersecretary for Transportation Policy.
Polly was and always continued to be the ultimate team
player, carrying out President Obama and Ray LaHood's highest
priorities for safety in every mode of transportation. Both
Secretary Buttigieg and Polly know the important role cities
play in transportation, cities of all sizes. Cities are the
ones--cities are the incubators. Cities are where the action
actions at. And having just come from the City of New York as
the Commissioner of Transportation, I think her leadership will
lend itself well to President Biden's agenda in recognizing
that cities and states are where the action is at. And Polly
served for the last 7 years as Commissioner of the City
Department of Transportation in New York. Her strong
operational experience helped her lead an agency that impacted
the daily lives of New York City's 8 million residents.
Polly's commitment to safety continued as she implemented
the landmark Vision Zero Program, a comprehensive approach to
eliminate traffic fatalities and injuries. I know Polly looks
forward to working closely with every member of this committee
in a bipartisan way. She will listen. She will be available.
She will answer your phone calls. And she will always make
safety her number one priority.
So Chair Cantwell and Ranking Member Wicker and to the
other members of this committee, thank you for allowing me a
minute or two to say a few words about someone who I respect
and admire, and think will do a terrific job, an excellent job,
a very professional job as the number two person at the
Department of Transportation. I appreciate the opportunity.
The Chair. Well, thank you, Secretary LaHood. And you are
welcome back any time before the Committee. And we certainly,
again, appreciate your being here in support of Ms. Trottenberg
today. Ms. Trottenberg, we will turn it over to you for an
opening statement.
STATEMENT OF POLLY E. TROTTENBERG,
NOMINEE TO BE DEPUTY SECRETARY,
U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Chair Cantwell and Ranking
Member Wicker and members of the Committee. It is an honor to
appear before you today as the Nominee for Deputy Secretary of
the U.S. Department of Transportation. I do very much
appreciate the Committee enabling me to have my hearing today.
I want to thank President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for
selecting me to fill this important role.
I certainly want to thank Secretary Ray LaHood for his
generous introduction. I loved working for him, and I learned
so much about leadership serving under him at U.S. DOT. I want
to introduce, I have with me today my husband, Mark Zuckerman,
my stepdaughter Naomi, my stepson Noah. I am so grateful for
their love and support. If I am honored enough to be confirmed,
I pledge that I will work diligently to support Secretary
Buttigieg and the extraordinary team at the Department as we
seek to recover from COVID-19 and invest in our infrastructure
and our future. I would also work closely with members of this
committee to advance our Nation's transportation goals. The
Department of Transportation's highest priority will always be
safety across all modes, including aviation, roadways, mass
transit, rail, waterways, and pipelines.
In response to the pandemic, the Biden Administration has
made the safety of the traveling public and the transportation
workforce a top goal. At the Department, the strong team that
the Secretary has assembled is building on the efforts of
Secretary Chao and her team to respond to COVID-19. If
confirmed, I look forward to supporting that effort.
Transportation is essential to the President's build back
better plan, which will connect people to jobs and opportunity,
strengthen our Nation's small businesses, manufacturing, and
agricultural sectors, revitalize communities that have not
shared equitably in our Nation's prosperity, foster innovation
and global competitiveness, improve resiliency, and help tackle
climate change.
To support this work, I believe in nearly three decades of
operational, managerial, and policymaking experience, including
the last 7 years as New York City's Commissioner of
Transportation and my prior service at U.S. DOT has prepared me
to serve the American people. During my time in New York, as
you heard, I was responsible for managing a multibillion dollar
transportation agency that impacted the daily lives of the
city's 8.6 million residents. I prioritized roadway safety as
the first U.S. city to adopt Vision Zero, a comprehensive and
data driven program to eliminate all traffic fatalities and
severe injuries while increasing safe, sustainable, and
equitable mobility for all.
Even as traffic fatalities rose nationally, through our
efforts in New York, we saw years of safer streets for all road
users. I also focused on providing better mobility options,
including more reliable bus service, particularly in
underserved communities. I worked to expand cycling and bring
in new technologies like e-scooters and cargo bikes, as well as
growing our passenger ferry service. And we provided those
options in very close collaboration with local communities and
stakeholders, seeking their input and insights to make our
projects even better, which I would do at the Department of
Transportation if confirmed.
I also worked with State and regional partners to find
solutions to the larger transportation challenges the New York
metropolitan region faced, growing congestion, aging highways,
bridges and transit infrastructure, the urgent need to make our
sidewalks and mass transit system fully accessible to people
with disabilities, and to make our entire transportation system
more equitable, sustainable, and resilient.
On the operational side, I prioritized innovation, better
project delivery, stronger agency planning, and transparency
and value for taxpayer dollars. In my previous roles at U.S.
DOT, I focused on policy aimed at creating a more robust,
sustainable, accessible, and performance-based transportation
system with strong partnerships at the Federal, state, local,
tribal, and territorial levels. I helped implement the TIGER,
now built, and High-Speed Rail Programs, working to address the
needs of State and local transportation agencies on every type
of project, from roads and bridges, transit and rail, airports,
ports, and pipelines. I also focused on strengthening and
investing in multimodal national freight network and bolstering
the Department's credit programs to enable a broader range of
projects to participate.
Prior to U.S. DOT, I did have the privilege of serving as a
Senate staffer for 12 years working on transportation
legislation and have a deep understanding of the importance of
this committee and how its members work to meet the needs of
their constituents and their communities. I also know how
important it is to listen to and work with Members of Congress
and a broad range of stakeholders to find bipartisan solutions
to the challenges we face. Throughout my career, I have always
valued the ability to work with colleagues across the aisle on
transportation issues and find bipartisan solutions.
If confirmed, I look forward to working with you all. As we
begin to emerge from the pandemic, we face a once in a
generation opportunity to improve our transportation system and
ensure that it equitably serves all Americans in communities
both large and small. If confirmed, I look forward to working
with you all to achieve these goals. In closing, I thank the
Committee again for the opportunity to appear before you today
and I welcome your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Trottenberg follow:]
Prepared Statement of Polly E. Trottenberg, Nominee to be Deputy
Secretary, U.S. Department of Transportation
Chair Cantwell, Ranking Member Wicker and Members of the Committee,
it is an honor to appear before you today as the nominee for Deputy
Secretary of the U.S. Department of Transportation. I want to thank
President Biden and Secretary Buttigieg for selecting me to fill this
important role.
I would like to thank Secretary Ray LaHood for his generous
introduction. And I want to introduce my husband Mark Zuckerman, my
stepdaughter Naomi, and my stepson Noah.
If I am honored enough to be confirmed, I pledge that I will work
diligently to support Secretary Buttigieg and the extraordinary team at
the Department as we seek to recover from the COVID-19 pandemic and
invest in our infrastructure and our future. I would also work closely
with the Members of this Committee to advance our Nation's
transportation goals.
The Department of Transportation's highest priority will always be
safety, across all modes, including aviation, roadways, mass transit,
rail, waterways and pipelines. In response to the pandemic, the Biden
Administration has made the safety of the traveling public and the
transportation workforce a top goal. At the Department, the strong team
that the Secretary has assembled is building on the efforts of
Secretary Chao and her team to respond to COVID-19. If confirmed, I
look forward to supporting that effort.
Transportation is essential to the President's Build Back Better
plan, which will:
Connect people to jobs and opportunity;
Strengthen our Nation's small businesses, manufacturing and
agricultural sectors;
Revitalize communities that have not shared equitably in our
Nation's prosperity;
Foster innovation and global competitiveness;
Improve resiliency; and
Help our Nation tackle climate change.
To support this work, I believe my nearly three decades of
operational, managerial, and policymaking experience--including the
last seven years as New York City's Commissioner of Transportation and
my prior service at the U.S. Department of Transportation--has prepared
me to serve the American people.
During my time in New York, I was responsible for managing a multi-
billion-dollar transportation agency that impacts the daily lives of
the City's 8.6 million residents. I prioritized roadway safety as the
first U.S. city to adopt Vision Zero, a comprehensive and data-driven
program to eliminate all traffic fatalities and severe injuries, while
increasing safe, sustainable and equitable mobility for all. Even as
traffic fatalities rose nationally, through our efforts in New York, we
saw years of safer streets for all road users.
I also focused on providing better mobility options, including more
reliable bus service, particularly in underserved communities. I worked
to expand cycling and bring in new technologies like e-scooters and
cargo bikes, as well as growing passenger ferry service. And we
provided those options in very close collaboration with local
communities and stakeholders, seeking their input and insights to make
our projects even better, which I would do at the U.S. Department of
Transportation if confirmed.
I also worked with state and regional partners to find solutions to
the larger transportation challenges the New York Metropolitan region
faced--growing congestion, aging highways, bridge and transit
infrastructure, the urgent need to make our sidewalks and mass transit
system fully accessible to people with disabilities, and to make our
entire transportation system more equitable, sustainable and resilient.
On the operational side, I prioritized innovation, better project
delivery, stronger agency planning, and transparency and value for
taxpayer dollars.
In my previous roles at the U.S. Department of Transportation, I
focused on policy aimed at creating a more robust, sustainable,
accessible and performance-based transportation system with strong
partnerships at the federal, state, local, Tribal and territorial
levels. I helped implement the TIGER and High-Speed Rail programs,
working to address the needs of state and local transportation agencies
on every type of project: from roads and bridges, to transit and rail,
to airports, ports and pipelines. I also focused on strengthening and
investing in a national multimodal freight network and bolstering the
Department's credit programs to enable a broader range of projects to
participate.
Prior to the U.S. Department of Transportation, I had the privilege
of serving as a Senate staffer for 12 years working on transportation
legislation and have a deep understanding of the importance of this
Committee and how its Members work to meet the needs of their
constituents and their communities. I also know how important it is to
listen to and work with Members of Congress and a broad range of
stakeholders to find bipartisan solutions to the challenges we face.
Throughout my career, I always valued the ability to work with
colleagues across the aisle on transportation issues and find
bipartisan solutions. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you
all.
As we begin to emerge from the pandemic, we face a once-in-a-
generation opportunity to improve our transportation system and ensure
that it equitably serves all Americans--in communities both large and
small. If confirmed, I look forward to working with you all to achieve
these goals.
In closing, I thank the Committee for the opportunity to appear
before you today and I welcome your questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Polly Ellen
Trottenberg.
2. Position to which nominated: Deputy Secretary of Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: February 13, 2021.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Home: Information not released to the public.
Office: Information not provided.
5. Date and Place of Birth: March 16, 1964; Boston, MA.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Mark Zuckerman, President, The Century Foundation, 1
Whitehall St., New York, NY 10004.
Children: Naomi Zuckerman, age 30; Noah Zuckerman, age 26.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
B.A. in History, Barnard College, Columbia University, May
1986
Master in Public Policy, Kennedy School of Government,
Harvard University, June 1992
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
Related Managerial Experiences:
New York City Department of Transportation, Commissioner,
New York, NY, January 2014-December 2020
U.S. Department of Transportation, Under Secretary of
Transportation for Policy, Washington, DC, January 2013-January
2014
U.S. Department of Transportation, Assistant Secretary of
Transportation Policy, Washington, DC, July 2009-January 2013
Building America's Future, Executive Director, Washington,
DC, Aug. 2008-July 2009
Senator Barbara Boxer, Deputy Chief of Staff and Legislative
Director, Washington, DC, Jan. 2006-July 2008
Senator Charles E. Schumer, Legislative Director,
Washington, DC, Jan. 1999-Dec. 2005
Related Non-Managerial Experiences:
Senator Daniel Patrick Moynihan, Legislative Assistant for
Transportation, Public Works, and Environment, Washington, DC,
Oct. 1996-Dec. 1998
Port Authority of New York & New Jersey, New York, NY,
Senior Executive Assistant to the Director of Aviation and
Executive Assistant to the Executive Director, Oct. 1994-Sept.
1996
Massachusetts State Senate, Boston, MA, Policy Analyst,
Joint Committee on Commerce and Labor, State Senator Lois
Pines, Chair, June 1992-Sept. 1994
Massachusetts Port Authority, Boston, MA, Research
Associate, Department of Administration and Finance, Summer
1991
Perry Davis Associates, New York, NY, Research Director,
March 1988-April 1990
Freelance Writer and Editor, New York, NY and Chicago, IL,
September 1986-February 1988
9. Attach a copy of your resume. See Attachment A.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years.
New York Metropolitan Transportation Council (NYMTC), ex
officio Board Member 2014-2020, Chair 2019-2020
Metropolitan Transportation Authority, Board Member, 2014-
2019
GrowNYC, ex officio Board Member, 2014-2020
U.S. Access Board, ex officio Member 2009-2013, Chair 2010-
2011
Northeast Corridor Commission, Vice Chair 2012-2014
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years. None.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). Include dates of membership and any positions you have
held with any organization. Please note whether any such club or
organization restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color,
religion, national origin, age, or disability.
Women's Transportation Seminar (WTS), 2008 to present
TRANSCOM, ex officio Member, 2014-2020, Chair 2016-2019
National Association of City Transportation Officials
(NACTO), 2014-2020
Columbia University Center for Buildings, Infrastructure and
Public Space (CBIPS), Industry Advisory Board, Member 2018-2020
Intelligent Transportation Systems of America (ITSA), 2020
Transportation Research Board Executive Committee, ex
officio Member, 2009-2014
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt. No.
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
Biden-Harris Transportation Transition Agency Review Team,
Senior Advisor, 2020-2021 (advisory, uncompensated)
Biden-Harris Campaign, GOTV volunteer, 2020
Clinton-Kaine Campaign, GOTV volunteer, 2016
Obama-Biden Campaign, GOTV volunteer, 2012
15. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of$500 or more for the past ten years.
See Attachment B for a listing of contributions responsive to this
request. All entries in the attachment are the result of electronic
searches (e.g., FEC.gov) and reflect the best of my recollection.
Should any additional contributions be identified, I will promptly let
the Committee know.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Regional Plan Association ``Making It Happen'' Award, 2021
Transportation Alternative's ``Street Fighter'' Award, 2020
Honoree on City and State's 2017-2020 New York ``Power 100''
and 2017-2020 Women ``Power 100'' list
One of Governing Magazine's 10 ``Public Officials of the
Year,'' 2018
Municipal Engineers of the City of New York Special Honoree,
2017
Council of Minority Transportation Officials, ``Women Who
Move the Nation,'' 2015
Women's Transportation Seminar Greater NY Chapter, Woman of
the Year, 2015
Phi Beta Kappa, 1986
Ellen Davis Goldwater History Prize, 1986
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. Also list any
speeches that you have given on topics relevant to the position for
which you have been nominated. Do not attach copies of these
publications unless otherwise instructed.
Publications
Please see Attachment C for the most up-to-date list of
publications--to the best of my ability. If additional publications are
identified following the submission of this questionnaire, I will
promptly let the Committee know.
Speeches
Please see Attachment D for the most up-to-date list of speeches
and non congressional hearings I have been able to compile--to the best
of my ability. If additional speeches or remarks are identified
following the submission of this questionnaire, I will promptly let the
Committee know.
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
Twitter: https://twitter.com/pollytrott
Facebook: https://www.facebook.com/polly.trottenberg
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/polly-trottenberg
19. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
Please see Attachment E for the most up-to-elate list of
congressional hearings in which I have testified.
20. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
Transportation has been a lifelong passion and career path for me,
and I am deeply committed to helping lead a department that prioritizes
safety for the traveling public and workforce, job creation, economic
growth and competitiveness, environmental sustainability, equity,
accessibility and improving the quality of life for all Americans. I
have over 25 years of public sector experience at the Federal, State
and local levels and have served in a number of relevant high-level
transportation operational, managerial, and policymaking roles that
qualify me to serve as USDOT's Deputy Secretary.
For the past seven years, I have served as the Commissioner of the
New York City Department of Transportation (NYCDOT), one of the
Nation's largest and most complex municipal transportation agencies. At
NYCDOT, I managed an annual operating budget of over $1 billion and a
$17.3 billion 10-year capital plan. During my tenure, I focused on
building a high-performing team that prioritized safety, environmental
sustainability, accessibility and equity and a diverse, inclusive
workplace and agency culture. Over the last year, I led NYCDOT through
the COVID-19 response and recovery, with a focus on the safety of our
5,800-person workforce and the traveling public.
Prior to my role as the Commissioner of NYCDOT, I served for five
years at USDOT in the Obama Administration, as the Under Secretary of
Transportation for Policy, the third ranking official at the
Department, and as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy. I
also have over 20 years of policy and managerial experience in the U.S.
Senate working for three U.S. Senators as well as the Aviation
Department of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey, the
Department of Administration and Finance at the Massachusetts Port
Authority, and in running an infrastructure non-profit focused on
transportation.
I am honored to be nominated by President Biden to be part of
Secretary Pete Buttigieg's leadership team at USDOT. I believe that my
high-level operational experience running a major municipal
transportation agency, my previous service at USDOT, and my other
professional experience at all levels of government have prepared me,
if confirmed, to serve as Deputy Secretary.
21. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
The Deputy Secretary has a primary responsibility for the
management and accounting controls of the agency, as well as other
major operational oversight duties. As noted above, I have extensive
experience managing a large, municipal transportation agency with a
world-class leadership team and a large and very diverse workforce, in
a very complex political, fiscal and legal environment, especially
during the COVID pandemic. I also have extensive experience as a senior
appointed official at USDOT itself and am highly familiar with many of
the agency's functions, procedures and challenges.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
The top challenge USDOT faces will always be safety. This challenge
is particularly urgent in the face of COVID-19 and its devastating toll
on the operations and financial condition of our Nation's
transportation system and its direct impacts on the transportation
workforce as well as the traveling public. USDOT has a central role in
creating a safe and healthy transportation system, particularly through
its operational role in the Nation's air traffic control system and its
safety regulatory role for aviation, rail, transit, roadways, motor
vehicles, trucks and buses, and pipelines.
USDOT also has a crucial role to play in the challenge of economic
recovery from COVID and in the Nation's overall job creation, economic
growth and manufacturing competitiveness. And we have the potential to
deliver an environmentally sustainable transportation system, which
will address climate change and create jobs, foster innovation and new
technologies, and provide equity and opportunity for all Americans.
Finally, USDOT faces the managerial challenges of a complex
operating environment and in administering a growing number of
resource-intensive grant and credit programs. USDOT also faces
challenges in managing a broad array of regulatory processes in a
period of rapid technological change in the transportation sector.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
My arrangements are fully described in Part 3 of my Public
Financial Disclosure report.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain. No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be
resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware
of any potential conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to he
resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware
of any potential conflicts of interest.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify any potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will continue to be
resolved in accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I
have entered into with the Department's Designated Agency Ethics
Official and that has been provided to this Committee. I am not aware
of any potential conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, in which you have been engaged for the
purpose of directly or indirectly influencing the passage, defeat, or
modification of any legislation or affecting the administration and
execution of law or public policy.
In the last seven years as New York City Transportation
Commissioner, I have been involved in a large volume of legislative and
public policy issues at the local and State level on behalf of my
agency and mayoral administration. As part of the National Association
of City Transportation Officials (NACTO), I have been involved in
advocating at the Federal level on transportation policies of concern
to urban areas.
As Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy and Assistant
Secretary for Transportation Policy, I helped oversee U.S. DOT's
legislative and policy work with Congress, as well as regulatory
matters.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
No. Please see, however, response to question 3 on lawsuits in
which I have been named solely in my official capacity.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
As New York City Transportation Commissioner, I have been named in
a number of lawsuits solely in my official capacity. Please see
Attachment F for the most up-to-date list as compiled by the NYC Law
Department, which handles these cases on behalf of NYC officials. If
additional lawsuits are identified following the submission of this
questionnaire, I will promptly let the Committee know.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
l. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
info1mation from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical expe1ts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Attachment A
[GRAPHIC(S) NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
______
ATTACHMENT B
Trottenberg Donations 1/1/11-12/30/20
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Recipient Amount Date
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Obama for America $500 8/18/2011
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSCC $500 10/24/2014
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hillary for America $500 7/28/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Friends of Schumer $500 8/26/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DNC $500 8/30/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hillary Victory Fund $2,700 8/30/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hillary for America $2,200 8/30/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily's List $500 11/5/2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor's Legacy $700 10/11/2017
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily's List $500 3/25/2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily's List $500 10/20/2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily's List $500 11/1/2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Kamala Harris for the People $500 1/25/2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Eleanor's Legacy $500 6/26/2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Cal for NC $500 9/24/2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Hickenlooper for Colorado $1,000 9/24/2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Green Senate 2020 $1,000 3/4/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Democracy Engine, Inc. PAC $1,000 3/5/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden for President $1,000 4/29/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Fight $500 6/13/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden for President $500 6/28/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSCC $1,000 7/5/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Emily's List $1,000 8/27/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden Victory Fund $2,500 9/11/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden for President $2,500 9/11/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSCC $1,000 9/19/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
LMG PAC $1,000 9/21/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DCCC $500 9/29/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden Victory Fund $1,000 10/8/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DNC $1,000 10/14/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Biden Victory Fund $500* 10/26/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DSCC $1,000 10/26/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Planned Parenthood Votes $500 10/26/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
DNC $500 10/26/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Fair Fight $500 11/26/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
*Donation was $50 over the contribution limit in error, overage was
refunded 11/17/20.
______
ATTACHMENT C
Trottenberg Publications
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Publication
Title Source Date Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Federal Decision-Making in Regional Plan 12/2008 Link
Transportation Investments: Association:
Getting the Federal America 2050
Government to do `the Math'
------------------------------------------------------------------------
SBS is the transportation Queens 1/14/2016 Link
alternative Queens needs Chronicle
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Greeley Boulevard Letter to Staten Island 6/10/2016 Link
the Editor Advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation Podcast: Smart Institute of 8/22/2017 Link
Communities Transportation
Engineers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to the Editor on Daily News 2/14/2018 Link
Congestion Pricing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
New York Slant Podcast City and State New 2/14/2018 Link
York
------------------------------------------------------------------------
The New York City Model for The Medium 11/13/2018 Link
Vision Zero Progress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to the Editor on Staten Island 11/26/2018 Link
Vision Zero Advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation Podcast-- Gotham Gazette 3/22/2019 Link
What's the Data Point: 202
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Transportation Podcast Freakonomics 3/27/2019 Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Op-Ed on Congestion and For Daily News 7/22/2019 Link
Hire Vehicles
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Op-ed on Cycling Safety Streetsblog 8/5/2019 Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to the Editor on Speed Staten Island 3/8/2020 Link
Cameras Advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Op-ed on COVID response Daily News 3/29/2020 Link
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Letter to the Editor on COVID Staten Island 4/7/2020 Link
and the Staten Island Ferry Advance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
ATTACHMENT D
Trottenberg Speeches 1/1/2008-12/30/2020
------------------------------------------------------------------------
Date Sponsor Event Description Location Role
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2008
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/9/ National Improving the Federal New York, Speaker
2008 Association of Funding Process and NY
City Achieving a State of
Transportation Good Repair
Officials
(NACTO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/9/ Regional Plan Metropolitan Regions Washington Speaker
2008 Association Forum , DC
(RPA), Urban
Land Institute
(ULI) and
National
Association of
Regional
Councils (NARC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/9/ City & Financial Public Private Washington Speaker
2008 and U.S. DOT Partnerships: USA , DC
Summit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/9/ Railway Supply Advancing Passenger Washington Speaker
2008 Institute and and Freight Rail in , DC
One Rail the Nation's
Transportation
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/9/ The Road Gang Building America's Washington Keynote
2008 Future: Vision for , DC Speaker
the Reauthorization
of the Surface
Transportation
Legislation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/1/ Euromoney Euromoney Conference New York, Speaker
2008 Conference on Public Private NY
Partnerships
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/8/ Euromoney Challenges and New York, Speaker
2008 Conference on Opportunities in NY
Public Private U.S. Transportation
Partnerships Investment
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/1/ Natural Resources ``Politics and Washington Speaker
2008 Defense Council Policy: , DC
(NRDC), Friends Transportation and
of the Earth, Climate'' panel
Center for Clean
Air Policy and
Environmental
and Energy Study
Institute (EESI)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2009
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/1/ Transportation The Future of Federal Washington Provided
2009 Research Board Transportation , DC Remarks
annual Funding and Finance
conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/1/ Governing ``Outlook in the Washington Panelist
2009 Magazine States 2009 , DC
Infrastructure
Initiatives'' panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/1/ National Workshop on New York, Workshop
2009 Association of ``Improving the NY
City Federal Funding
Transportation Process and
Officials Achieving a State of
(NACTO) Good Repair''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/1/ RPA/Urban Land RPA/Urban Land Washington Provided
2009 Institute Institute National , DC Remarks
National Association of
Association Regional Councils'
7th Annual
Metropolitan Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/1/ Transportation Transportation Portland, Speaker
2009 Research Board Research Forum 50th OR
annual annual meeting on
conference ``The Future of
Federal Surface''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/1/ Regional Plan Regional Plan New York, Provided
2009 Association Association 19th NY Remarks
Annual Forum on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/1/ Railway Supply ``Advancing Passenger Washington Speaker
2009 Institute, and Freight Rail in , DC
OneRail the Nation's
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/1/ Railway Supply Selling to America's Washington Provided
2009 Institute, Railroads: Freight, , DC Remarks
OneRail and Intercity and High-
Women in Speed Rail
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/1/ Climate and Climate and Energy Washington Group
2009 Energy Funders Funders Group Annual , DC Discussio
Group meeting on ``Mapping n
a New
Transportation''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/1/ Association for Moving Forward to Washington Keynote
2009 Commuter Address , DC Speaker
Transportation Transportation,
(ACT) Economic &
Environmental
Challenges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/5/ The National US DOT's Views on Washington Speaker
2009 Complete Streets Complete Streets , DC
Coalition and Policies
the American
Planning
Association
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/28/ Association of Annual Conference: Savannah, Keynote
2009 Metropolitan Planning for a GA Speaker
Planning Better Future
Organizations
(AMPO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/30/ Kennedy School of Fast Track to the Cambridge, Speaker
2009 Government Future: MA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/31/ Rappaport The New Vision for Boston, MA Speaker
2009 Institute for High-Speed Rail
Greater Boston
Harvard
University
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/31/ Rail-Volution Greening Your Future-- Boston, MA Speaker
2009 Current and Emerging
Opportunities for
Federal Funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/1/ US DOT Transportation New Host/
2009 Reauthorization Orleans, Speaker
Outreach Tour w/Sec. LA
LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2010
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/12/ Transportation Annual Meeting: Meet Washington Moderator
2010 Research Board the U.S. DOT , DC
Leadership Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/20/ U.S. Conference 78th Winter Meeting: Washington Speaker
2010 of Mayors ``The Partnership , DC
for Sustainable
Communities:
Integrating
Transportation,
Housing, Land Use
and Economic
Development''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/25/ US DOT Transportation Minneapoli Host/
2010 Reauthorization s, MN Speaker
Outreach Tour with
Secretary LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/29/ The American Center for Excellence Washington Speaker
2010 Association of in Project Finance, , DC
State Highway Congressional Staff
and Forum, ``Legislative
Transportation Policy Issues in
Officials Transportation
(AASHTO) Finance''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/19/ US DOT Transportation Los Host/
2010 Reauthorization Angeles, Speaker
Outreach Tour with CA
Secretary LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/19/ Women's Women's Leadership Los Speaker
2010 Transportation and Transportation Angeles,
Seminar (WTS)- CA
Los Angeles
Chapter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/21/ National Energizing Regional Washington Speaker
2010 Association of Leadership and , DC
Regional Shaping
Councils (NARC) Administration and
Congressional
Priorities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/24/ Community Streetcar Summit: How Washington Speaker
2010 Streetcar streetcars promote , DC
Coalition economic
development,
livability and
sustainability
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/9/ Penn High Speed Rail and London, UK Speaker
2010 International America's National
Planning Infrastructure
Workshop Strategy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/11/ United Kingdom Comparing U.S. and UK London, UK Speaker
2010 Transport Transportation
Ministry Policies (with
Transport Minister
Lord Adonis)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/9/ National Public Hearing: High Washington Speaker
2010 Conference of Speed Rail , DC
State
Legislatures
(NCSL)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/16/ Regional Plan 20th Annual Regional Washington Panelist
2010 Association Assembly: ``The , DC
Future of Trains and
Planes''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/4/ Intelligent Surface Houston, Panelist
2010 Transportation Transportation TX
Society of Reauthorization
America (ITS) Outreach
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/5/ US DOT Transportation Houston, Host/
2010 Reauthorization TX Speaker
Outreach Tour with
Secretary LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/10/ Asia-Pacific Transportation Energy Washington Keynote
2010 Economic Efficiency , DC Speaker
Cooperation Improvement
(APEC) Potential in APEC
Economies
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/4/ US DOT Transportation Bismarck, Host/
2010 Reauthorization ND Speaker
Outreach Tour with
Secretary LaHood
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/16/ Rudin Center at High Speed Rail: New York, Speaker
2010 New York Leveraging Federal NY
University Investment Locally
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/9/ City of Denver, Urban Circulator and Denver, CO Speaker
2010 CO Bus Livability Grant
Announcement, Denver
Regional
Transportation
District
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/1/ Association for How DOT is Moving Washington Keynote
2010 Commuter Forward to address , DC Speaker
Transportation Transportation,
Conference Economic &
Environmental
Challenges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/28/ The Associated National and Chapter Washington Speaker
2010 General Leadership , DC
Contractors of Conference: The
America Administration's
Approach to
Infrastructure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/29/ T4America National Leadership Washington Speaker
2010 Conference , DC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/5/ The National US DOT's Views on Washington Speaker
2010 Complete Streets Complete Streets and , DC
Coalition and Policies
the American
Planning
Association
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/ National How Outcomes and the Washington Speaker
2010 Association of Integration of , DC
Public Programs can create
Administrations Synergy,
(NAPA) Efficiencies and
Money
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/31/ Rail-Volution Greening Your Future: Boston, MA Speaker
2010 Current and Emerging
Opportunities for
Federal Funding
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/15/ United States American Brisbane, Speaker
2010 Studies Centre Transportation Australia
at the Policy
University of
Sydney,
Australia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/15/ United States City of the Future: Brisbane, Keynote
2010 Studies Centre U.S. and Australian Australia Speaker
at the Perspectives
University of
Sydney,
Australia
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2011
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/21/ Institute for BRT in the U.S.: Washington Discussant
2011 Transportation & Challenges and How , DC
Development it Might be Enhanced
Policy (ITDP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/22/ Orange County Breaking Down Washington Discussant
2011 Transportation Barriers Initiative: , DC
Authority (OCTA) Expedite Federally
Funded Projects.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/24/ Institute for 2011 Sustainable Washington Keynote
2011 Transportation & Transportation Award , DC Speaker
Development Ceremony
Policy (ITDP)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/25/ Transportation 90th Annual Meeting: Washington Moderator
2011 Research Board Surface , DC
Transportation
Authorization--A
Discussion with the
U.S. Department of
Transportation
Leadership
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/26/ Transportation 90th Annual Meeting: Washington Panelist
2011 Research Board Grabbing the TIGER , DC
by the Tail--
Experiences and
Future Outlook
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/26/ Transportation 90th Annual Meeting: Washington Moderator
2011 Research Board Future Directions in , DC
Transportation--A
Multimodal Dialogue
with the U.S. DOT
Deputy
Administrators
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/17/ Intelligent ITS 18th World Washington Speaker
2011 Transportation Congress Board of , DC
Society of Directors' Meeting
America (ITS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/25/ Bipartisan Policy Grounding the Vision Warrenton, Presenter
2011 Center National in the Political VA
Transportation Environment--Strateg
Policy Project ies for Overcoming
(NTPP) Barriers and Key
Next Steps
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/28/ The National Washington Freight Alexandria Keynote
2011 Industrial Transportation , VA Speaker
Transportation Policy Forum:
League (NITL) Mapping America's
Vision for Freight
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/30/ American Public Transportation Washington Speaker
2011 Works Sustainability , DC
Association Summit:
(APWA) Transportation
Sustainability and
Surface
Transportation
Reauthorization
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/7/ American Bus Government Affairs Washington Speaker
2011 Association and Policy Committee , DC
Meeting:
Transportation
Authorization,
Planning, and the
Evolution of Surface
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/8/ Urban Institute Infrastructure Policy Washington Moderator
2011 Research Initiative , DC
Roundtable:
Rationale, Choices,
and Challenges
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/3/ American Public Surface Washington Keynote
2011 Transportation Transportation: , DC Speaker
Association Where do we stand?
(APTA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/4/ Senator Sheldon Second Annual Rhode Washington Panelist
2011 Whitehouse, Island Energy & , DC
Rhode Island Environmental
Leaders Day
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/10/ Coalition Annual Meeting: The Washington Speaker
2011 America's role of freight in , DC
Gateways & Trade surface
Corridors transportation
(CAGTC) authorization
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/ American Public The Power of Rail as Boston, MA Panelist
2011 Transportation a Foundation of
Association Economic Growth
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/ Women's Annual Awards and Boston, MA Keynote
2011 Transportation Scholars Dinner Speaker
Seminar (WTS)
Boston
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/15/ Minnesota Congressional Washington Speaker
2011 Transportation Delegation Fly-in: , DC
Alliance Latest Developments
Reception Impacting Federal
Funding and Policy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/24/ Mineta National Policy San Speaker
2011 Transportation Summit on Francisco
Institute Transportation , CA
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/24/ Mineta Norman Y. Mineta San Keynote
2011 Transportation National Policy Francisco Speaker
Institute and Summit on , CA
the Commonwealth Transportation
Club of Finance
California
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/25/ Mineta 20th Annual Mineta San Jose Commenceme
2011 Transportation Transportation CA nt
Institute Institute Speaker
Commencement
Ceremony
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/24/ White House White House Los Gatos, Host/
2011 Office of Public Roundtable: Winning CA Speaker
Engagement the Future with the
Jewish Federation of
Los Gatos
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/11/ White House Strong Cities Strong Fresno, CA Speaker
2011 Communities Launch
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/20/ The French- The Infrastructure Washington Speaker
2011 American Nexus: Public , DC
Foundation Transportation in
Urban and Interstate
Schemes
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/13/ Active Active Transportation Chicago, Speaker
2011 Transportation Alliance 25th IL
Alliance Anniversary Dinner
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/14/ Women's White House Chicago, Speaker
2011 Transportation Roundtable: Chicago IL
Seminar (WTS) Women in Trades
Chicago
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/18/ RailVolution Reauthorization for Washington Moderator
2011 the Future: SAFETEA- , DC
LU and the Gasoline
Tax
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/20/ The White House White House Martinsbur Speaker
2011 Business Council Roundtable: g, WV
and the Eastern Martinsburg Business
Panhandle
Regional
Planning &
Development
Council
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/31/ Taubman Center The Current Politics Cambridge, Speaker
2011 for State and of Transportation: MA
Local Government The View from
Harvard Kennedy Washington
School
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/1/ The White House White House Boston, MA Speaker
2011 Business Council Roundtable: Winning
the Future with
Boston
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/4/ The White House White House Washington Speaker
2011 Business Council Roundtable: Forum on , DC
and Business Jobs and Economic
Forward Competitiveness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2012
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/12/ White House National Association Washington Speaker
2012 Office of of Counties , DC
Intergovernmenta Transportation
l Affairs Briefing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/24/ American Public Transportation as a Washington Speaker
2012 Transportation Foundation for , DC
Association Economic Health: Job
Creation and
Transportation
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/24/ The American AASHTO Congressional Washington Speaker
2012 Association of Forum: The , DC
State Highway Transportation
and Funding Issues and
Transportation Reauthorization
Officials
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/29/ The American AASHTO Washington Washington Speaker
2012 Association of Briefing: Updates , DC
State Highway for Congressional
and High Speed and
Transportation Intercity Passenger
Officials Rail Caucus Staff
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/8/ The American Grassroots Leadership Washington Keynote
2012 Institute of and Legislative , DC
Architects Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/9/ City of Irving, 5th Annual Washington Speaker
2012 TX Transportation and , DC
Infrastructure
Convention
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/15/ Institute for Sustainable Mobility Washington Panelist
2012 Transportation on the Road to the , DC
and Development Rio+20 United
Policy Nations Conference
on Sustainable
Development
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/24/ US DOT, U.S. DOL National Washington Speaker
2012 and U.S. ED Transportation , DC
Workforce Summit
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/25/ Atlanta Regional Board of Directors Atlanta, Speaker
2012 Commission Meeting GA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/26/ The White Office White House Atlanta, Speaker
2012 of Public Roundtable GA
Engagement, U.S.
DOT, and Women's
Transportation
Seminar (WTS)
Atlanta
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/10/ Women's Annual Conference: Denver, CO Keynote
2012 Transportation 2012 WTS Awards Speaker
Seminar (WTS) Banquet
International
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/11/ Northeast 2012 NASTO Conference Baltimore, Panelist
2012 Association of ``Regional Issues MD
Transportation and Regional
Officials Cooperation''
(NASTO) Perspectives on
Federal Rail
Programs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/26/ National Academy 2nd Bi-Annual MTS Washington Keynote
2012 of Sciences/ Research & , DC Speaker
Transportation Development
Research Board Conference:
(TRB) Diagnosing the
Marine
Transportation
System
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/28/ Urban Land Official Release of Washington Keynote
2012 Institute ``Infrastructure , DC Speaker
2012: Spotlight on
Leadership''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/13/ International High Speed Rail Philadelph Speaker
2012 Union of Conference ia, PA
Railways
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/15/ U.S. Chamber of Implementing MAP-21 Washington Speaker
2012 Commerce Freight Provisions , DC
Transportation,
Infrastructure
and Logistics
Policy Committee
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/19/ US Department of Advisory Committee on Washington Speaker
2012 Commerce Supply Chain , DC
Competitiveness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2013
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/11/ National Washington Outlook Washington Speaker
2013 Association of , DC
Regional
Councils (NARC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/28/ AASHTO Spring Meeting Washington Speaker
2013 ``Implementing MAP- , DC
21''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/7/ NYU Rudin Center Excellence in New York, Speaker
2013 for Transportation Award NY
Transportation for Mayor Michael
Bloomberg
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/18/ Connecticut Forum ``Financing Our Washington Speaker
2013 on Nation's , DC
Infrastructure Infrastructure
Investment Needs''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/8/ Coalition of 2013 Annual meeting Washington Speaker
2013 America's , DC
Gateways and
Trade Corridors
(CAGTC)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/9/ The Atlantic Sustainable Transport Washington Speaker
2013 Council/ITDP for Global , DC
Development and
Climate Protection
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/10/ Michigan Capital Conference Lansing, Keynote
2013 Municipal League Awards Luncheon MI Speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/22/ Intelligent 2013 Annual meeting-- Nashville, Keynote
2013 Transportation ``Driving TN Speaker
Society of Institutional Change
America (ITS) Through Technology
and Data''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/19/ Austin, TX Briefing on Washington Speaker
2013 Chamber of Transportation , DC
Commerce
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/18/ Transportation Implementing MAP-21's Washington Speaker
2013 Research Board freight provisions , DC
(TRB) Summer
meeting of
Freight, Marine
and Planning
Committees
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/19/ Transportation ``Local Economies, Washington Speaker
2013 for America National , DC
(T4A) Prosperity''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2014
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/24/ NYC Council Oversight: Preventing New York, Hearing
2014 Committee on Traffic Fatalities: NY Witness
Transportation Examining the Vision
and the Zero Working Group's
Committee on Report
Public Safety
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/27/ New York NYMTC Annual Meeting New York, Keynote
2014 Metropolitan NY speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/6/ New York City Preliminary Budget New York, Hearing
2014 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/13/ NYU Rudin Center NYU Rudin Center New York, Keynote
2014 Breakfast NY speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/2/ General Meeting w/GCA New York, Speaker
2014 Contractors Executive Committee NY
Association
(GCA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/3/ Office of Borough BP ULURP Hearing re: New York, Hearing
2014 President Ruben City Island Bridge NY Witness
Diaz Jr.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/23/ Association for a ABNY Breakfast Forum New York, Panelist
2014 Better New York on Transportation NY
Infrastructure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/25/ NY International Welcome remarks for New York, Introducto
2014 Auto Show NHTSA Acting NY ry
Administrator Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/25/ Regional Plan ``Getting Back on New York, Panelist
2014 Association Track'' RPA Assembly NY
(RPA) Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/ New York City City Council New York, Hearing
2014 Council Transportation NY Witness
Committee on Hearings
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/ Women's WTS Dinner Event New York, Keynote
2014 Transportation NY speaker
Seminar (WTS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/ City Planning Public Hearing on New York, Hearing
2014 Commission City Island Bridge NY Witness
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/ New York City City Council Fiscal New York, Hearing
2014 Council Year 2015 Executive NY Witness
Committee on Budget Hearings
Transportation
and Committee on
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/15/ Saul Weprin Speech on Vision Zero New York, Keynote
2014 Democratic Club NY speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/28/ NYC Municipal MAS Event: Ideas for New York, Panelist
2014 Arts Society New Yorkers New NY
Leadership
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/11/ Citizens Budget Keynote speaker at New York, Keynote
2014 Commission their CBC NY Speaker
(CBC), Transportation
Transportation Committee breakfast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/17/ NY Building NY Building Congress New York, Panelist
2014 Congress Construction NY
Industry Breakfast
Forum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/25/ Brooklyn Greenway Brooklyn Waterfront New York, Speaker
2014 Initiative Greenway Benefit NY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/14/ Crain's New York 1-on-1 Armchair New York, Keynote
2014 Business Discussion re: NYC NY Speaker
DOT's role in Key
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/29/ Professional PWC Annual Regional New York, Speaker
2014 Women in Transportation Forum NY
Construction
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/10/ Intelligent Panelist Detroit, Panelist
2014 Transportation MI
Society of
America (ITS)
World Congress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/15/ NY Cycle Club Keynote Speaker-- New York, Keynote
2014 Meeting NY Speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/1/ New York City Hearing on the 25 MPH New York, Hearing
2014 Council Local Law NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/1/ Congress for New CNU Transportation New York, Opening
2014 Urbanism (CNU) Summit NY Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/7/ Women's WTS Greater NY New York, Remarks
2014 Transportation Chapter Annual Gala NY
Seminar (WTS)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/8/ ACEC NY/Metro Membership Meeting-- New York, Keynote
2014 Region Speech Focusing on NY Speaker
NYC Infrastructure
and Vision Zero
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/9/ Broadway Broadway Association New York, Remarks
2014 Association Monthly Luncheon NY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/17/ American Planning 2014 NY Metro Chapter New York, Keynote
2014 Association Annual Conference NY Panel
(APA) Participa
nt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/28/ VREF/Columbia Transforming Access, New York, Introducto
2014 University Mobility and NY ry
Delivery in Remarks
Transportation for U.S.
DOT
Secretary
Foxx
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/29/ New York City Hearing on Proposed New York, Hearing
2014 Council Int. 216-A & Int. NY Witness
Committee on 383
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/3/ New York City ``Oversight: New York, Hearing
2014 Council Assessing the NY Witness
Committee on Economic Impact of
Transportation NY's Failing
Infrastructure''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/14/ Vision Zero for Keynote speech New York, Keynote
2014 Cities Symposium followed by NY Panel
participation in the Participa
Vision Zero nt
Symposium
Commissioners' Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/20/ New York City ``Oversight: Leading New York, Hearing
2014 Council the Way for NY Witness
Committee on Bicycling in
Transportation America: Where is
NYC Now & How Can We
Improve?''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/18/ Partnership for Panel Discussion re: New York, Panelist
2014 NYC Annual Infrastructure NY
Meeting
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2015
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/6/ West Manhattan Keynote--Urban New York, Keynote
2015 Chamber of Transportation Needs NY Speaker
Commerce
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/12/ Transportation Panelist re: City Washington Panelist
2015 Research Board Transportation , DC
Officials &
Infrastructure
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/10/ New York City Intro 211: New York, Hearing
2015 Council Development of a Bus NY Witness
Committee on Rapid Transit Plan
Transportation by DOT & MTA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/3/ NYC Chapter of Vision Zero New York, Keynote
2015 the NY
Transportation
Research Forum
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/5/ New York City Preliminary Budget New York, Hearing
2015 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/19/ American Society ASHE NY Metro 1/2 Day New York, Remarks
2015 of Highway event NY
Engineers
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/24/ Avenue of the Presentation on New York, Keynote
2015 Americas general DOT NY speaker
Association Priorities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/21/ Alliance for Alliance for Downtown New York, Remarks
2015 Downtown New New York Annual NY
York Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/30/ General GCA Speaker Series New York, Panelist
2015 Contractors with DOT, DDC and NY
Association of DEP
Greater New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/4/ Design Forum + Smart urban New York, Keynote
2015 Institute transportation NY Speaker
Directors
Luncheon
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/ Amtrak, NJ Trans-Hudson Summit New York, Panelist
2015 Transit, MTA, NY
PANYNJ and RPA
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/1/ New York City FY16 Executive Budget New York, Hearing
2015 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/9/ Swedish Transport Towards Zero Gothenburg Keynote
2015 Ministry Conference 2015 , Sweden speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/23/ Women's WTS-GNY Dinner re: New York, Panelist
2015 Transportation Getting It Done: NY
Seminar (WTS)-- Capital Plan
GNY Chapter Development
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/30/ New York City For Hire Vehicle New York, Hearing
2015 Council (FHV) Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/10/ Bi-Partisan Panel discussing New York, Panelist
2015 Policy Center ``Matching Private NY
Investors''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/30/ Swedish Vision Zero: Swedish New York, Guest
2015 Consulate, Solutions on NY NY Speaker
Trans. Streets--``Strategy
Alternatives & & Policy''
Volvo
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/7/ New York City Oversight Hearing re: New York, Hearing
2015 Council Vision Zero: NY Witness
Committee on Evaluating the
Transportation City's Progress
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/7/ Women's WTS Woman of the Year New York, Remarks
2015 Transportation Banquet NY after
Seminar (WTS) Awarded
``Woman
of the
Year''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/22/ Women's Speech on ``Key DOT Toronto, Keynote
2015 Transportation Priorities'' at the ON, speaker
Seminar (WTS)-- WTS dinner Canada
Toronto Chapter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/12/ New York City Hearing re: Int. 964 New York, Hearing
2015 Council & 965; RESO-LS5878; NY Witness
Committee on Res. 670
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/20/ City University CUNY-NYIT New York, Closing
2015 of New York Transportation NY Remarks
Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2016
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/20/ Institute of ITE Metropolitan New York, Keynote
2016 Transportation Section Past- NY speech
Presidents' Night
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/25/ Women's WTS-GNY Mentoring New York, Keynote
2016 Transportation Graduation NY speech
Seminar (WTS)--
GNY Chapter
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/28/ The Century Bridging the Divide: New York, Interviewe
2016 Foundation Ray LaHood on NY r
Bipartisanship &
Transportation
Policy
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/11/ New York State Public Hearing on New York, Hearing
2016 Assembly Design Build NY Witness
Standing
Committee on
Cities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/2/ New York City FY17 Preliminary New York, Hearing
2016 Council Budget Council NY Witness
Committee on Hearing
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/10/ Transportation Vision Zero New York, Panelist
2016 Alternatives Strategies in NY
American Cities
Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/22/ Bloomberg LLP ``The Future of New York, Keynote
2016 Transportation: NY speech
Spotlight''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/30/ New York City Pedestrian Plazas New York, Hearing
2016 Council NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/6/ Regional Plan RPA Assembly 2016 New York, Panelist
2016 Association Panel ``Not NY
(RPA) Everybody Works in
Manhattan: Fixing
the Commuter Rail''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/17/ New York City Executive Budget New York, Hearing
2016 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
and Committee on
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/18/ Heart of Texas WTS Panel: Insights Austin, TX Panelist
2016 Women's and Experiences:
Transportation Inspirational Women
Seminar (WTS) Leaders in
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/24/ NYC Parks NYC Parks Without New York, Panelist
2016 Department Borders Panel: NY
Reflections
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/ TransitCenter in Reimaging NYC Streets New York, Group
2016 collaboration with Jan Gehl NY Discussio
with Regional n
Plan Association
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/12/ US DOT Roundtable Discussion Washington Panelist
2016 on MPOwerment w/U.S. , DC
Transportation
Secretary
------------------------------------------------------------------------
7/13/ Business Council Roundtable Discussion New York, Participan
2016 for w/India's Transport NY t
International Minister Nitin
Understanding Gadkari
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/12/ American Public Smart Cities Panel at Los Panel
2016 Transportation APTA's Annual Angeles, Moderator
Association Conference CA
(APTA) Annual
Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/13/ American Public APTA's Annual Los Speech and
2016 Transportation Conference: Mega Angeles, Presentat
Association Projects Worldwide CA ion
(APTA) Annual
Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/15/ Brooklyn Chamber Brooklyn Newsmakers New York, Keynote
2016 of Commerce Event NY Speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/16/ USDOT 2016 Summit for Safer Washington Accepted
2016 People, Safer , DC award and
Streets provided
Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/21/ McKinsey Rethinking New York, Roundtable
2016 Construction NY Participa
Roundtable, hosted nt
by McKinsey's Global
Infrastructure
Initiative
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/22/ Anchin 11th Annual State of New York, Panelist
2016 the Construction NY
Industry Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/26/ National Opening Plenary Seattle, Speaker
2016 Association of WA
City
Transportation
Officials
(NACTO) Annual
Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/6/ New York City Oversight Hearing on New York, Hearing
2016 Council Bus Service in NYC NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/6/ American Council ACEC New York New York, Guest
2016 of Engineering Membership Breakfast NY Speaker
New York
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/19/ Intelligent ITSNJ 2016 Annual New Roundtable
2016 Transportation Meeting Brunswick Participa
Society of New , NJ nt
Jersey State
Chapter (ITSNJ)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/1/ Crain's New York Crain's NYC Summit: New York, Panelist
2016 Business Getting Ready for 9 NY
Million New Yorkers
re: Region's Transit
Agencies and Working
Together
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/9/ Greenway + This event is a New York, Closing
2016 Industry Event gathering of the NY Remarks
majority of economic and was
development the 2016
interests--Honoree Honoree
at the event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/28/ New York City Oversight Hearing: New York, Hearing
2016 Council The present & future NY Witness
Committee on of Citibike in NYC
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/12/ New York City NYC Council Hearing New York, Hearing
2016 Council re: Parking NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2017
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/9/ Transportation TRB Panel Washington Panelist
2017 Research Board ``Confronting the , DC
(TRB) Fear: Risks &
Rewards'' at TRB
Annual Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/9/ Transportation TRB Panel--Beyond Washington Panelist
2017 Research Board Traffic--Looking , DC
(TRB) Forward to
Innovation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/10/ Transportation 7th Annual Complete Washington Remarks
2017 Research Board Streets: Remarks & , DC Provided
(TRB) Dinner
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/11/ Transportation 2017 TRB Vision Zero Washington Panelist
2017 Research Board Panel: Translating , DC
(TRB) Standing ``Aspirational
Committee on Policy'' into
Transportation ``Getting Stuff
Issues in Major Done''
Cities
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/26/ New York City Oversight Hearing re: New York, Hearing
2017 Council Vision Zero NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
and Committee on
Public Safety
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/30/ ACEC Speech at ACEC's Albany, NY Keynote
2017 Winter Conference Speaker
re: Designing NYC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/10/ Partnership for Legislative Agenda New York, Panelist
2017 NYC Panel re: NYS NY
Infrastructure
Agenda
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/7/ Regional Plan RPA's Public Panel New York, Introducto
2017 Association ``Streetcar Success: NY ry
(RPA) What NYC Can Learn'' Remarks
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/20/ American Presentation on NYC New York, Presentati
2017 Institute of DOT's Strategic Plan NY on
Architects
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/28/ New York City FY18 Preliminary New York, Hearing
2017 Council Budget Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/29/ NY Building Guest speaker at the New York, Guest
2017 Congress Building Congress' NY Speaker
Board of Directors
Meeting.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/21/ Regional Plan Annual RPA Assembly-- New York, Provided
2017 Association ``Building Big for NY Remarks
(RPA) Less'' on
Plenary
Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/17/ New York City FY18 Executive Budget New York, Hearing
2017 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
and Committee on
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/17/ Women's WTS Annual New York, Discussion/
2017 Transportation Conference: NY Panelist
Seminar (WTS) Moderated Morning Moderator
Session ``Navigating
the Changing
Political Tides''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/18/ Women's Provided Introductory New York, Provided
2017 Transportation Remarks during the NY Introduct
Seminar (WTS) WTS Welcome & ory
General Session Remarks
Event
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/18/ Women's Participated in the New York, Panelist
2017 Transportation Opening Keynote NY
Seminar (WTS) Panel ``Meet the
Women Transportation
Leaders''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/25/ City & State Panel Participant: New York, Panelist
2017 ``Women Breaking NY
Through in Male-
Dominated Industry''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/5/ New York City Oversight Hearing re: New York, Hearing
2017 Council ``How Can NYC More NY Witness
Committee on Effectively Address
Transportation Traffic
Congestion?''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/9/ Construction CMAA Annual Awards New York, Keynote
2017 Mgmt. Luncheon NY speaker
Association of
America (CMAA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/ General GCA's Speaker Series: New York, Panelist
2017 Contractors Panelist on ``Meet NY
Association the Commissioners''
(GCA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/16/ American Society ASHE Annual New York, Keynote
2017 of Highway Conference Luncheon NY Speaker
Engineers (ASHE)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/7/ South Asian 2017 SAAAI Annual New York, Remarks
2017 American Scholarship Dinner-- NY Provided
Association, Honored Guest
Inc.
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/28/ New York Law CityLaw Breakfast New York, Keynote
2017 School Event NY speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/4/ Women's 2017 Annual Gala New York, Remarks
2017 Transportation NY Provided
Seminar (WTS)--
GNY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/5/ HNTB THINK: Infrastructure New York, Group
2017 Forum--re: NY Discussio
``Rebuilding New n
York's
Transportation
Infrastructure-
Mobilizing Efforts''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/14/ Barnard College Barnard's 35th New York, Panelist
2017 Anniversary: NY
Celebrating
Environmental Policy
and Sustainability
Panel
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/17/ Municipal Municipal Engineers New York, Remarks
2017 Engineers of the of the City of NY NY and
City of New York Annual Dinner Dance awarded
``Industr
y Leader
of the
Year''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/30/ McKinsey & U.S. Infrastructure New York, Keynote
2017 News Breakfast for Senior NY speaker
public and private
sector leaders
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/14/ New York City Oversight Hearing: New York, Hearing
2017 Council Mitigation Plans for NY Witness
Committee on 2019 L Train
Transportation Shutdown
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/6/ Transportation Keynote speech ``How Arlington, Keynote
2018 Research Board Do We Think About VA Speaker
(TRB) Annual Technology?''
Conference:
TransportationCa
mp 2018
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/8/ Transportation FHWA: Leadership in Washington Panelist
2018 Research Board Innovation Panel-- , DC
(TRB) Annual Mitigating Risk When
Conference Deploying
Innovations
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/25/ Women's Speech on U.S. New York, Speaker
2018 Infrastructure Infrastructure NY
Network (WIN) Initiatives
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/29/ NYU Rudin Center Accessible New York, Opening
2018 Streetscape Summit NY Remarks
(Pedestrian Ramp
Summit)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/1/ NYS Senators Addressing Our Albany, NY Panelist
2018 Discussion Transportation
Crisis
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/8/ New York City FY19 Preliminary New York, Hearing
2018 Council Budget Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/10/ New York City Transportation New York, Hearing
2018 Council Committee Oversight NY Witness
Committee on Hearing re:
Transportation Congestion Action
Plan & Proposed Int.
No. 210-A
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/3/ RXR NYC--Long Island Melville, Roundtable
2018 Roundtable on NY Participa
Transportation nt
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/16/ New York City FY19 Executive Budget New York, Hearing
2018 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation,
Committee on
Finance and
Subcommittee on
Capital Budget
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/12/ Regional Plan RPA Breakfast New York, Remarks
2018 Association Discussion on NY
Regional
Infrastructure Needs
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/13/ Women's Panelist re: New York, Panelist
2018 Infrastructure Congestion Pricing NY
Network (WIN) in NYC
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/8/ NY League of NY League of New York, Keynote
2018 Conservation Conservation Voters' NY speaker
Voters EcoBreakfast
------------------------------------------------------------------------
8/28/ New York City Speed Camera Hearing New York, Hearing
2018 Council NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/5/ Ryerson Panelist at ``Meet- Toronto, Panelist
2018 University Up: Toronto's ON,
Streets at a Canada
Crossroads''
Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/11/ NY Cycle Club Featured speaker-- New York, Speaker
2018 monthly meeting NY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
9/28/ Anchin Panelist on New York, Panelist
2018 ``Building the NY
Future: State of
Construction
Industry''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/2/ National Panelist on ``The Los Panelist
2018 Association of Road Ahead'' Angeles,
City CA
Transportation
Officials
(NACTO)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
10/17/ Crain's New York Crain's New York New York, Keynote
2018 Business Business Forum NY Speaker
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/7/ Design Trust for Design Trust's 2018 New York, Speaker
2018 Public Space Annual Benefit NY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/8/ General Keynote at GCA's New York, Keynote
2018 Contractors Annual Luncheon NY Speaker
Association
(GCA)
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/28/ Governing Governing Magazine's Washington Remarks
2018 Magazine ``Public Official of , DC Provided
the Year'' Award
Dinner
------------------------------------------------------------------------
11/29/ New York City Snowstorm Response New York, Hearing
2018 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation,
Committee on
Sanitation and
Committee on
Education
------------------------------------------------------------------------
12/5/ Capital Ideas Panelist on ``The Atlanta, Panelist
2018 2018 Conference State Role in New GA
Mobility''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2019
------------------------------------------------------------------------
1/23/ New York City Scooter Hearing New York, Hearing
2019 Council NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
2/26/ The Century NYU Rudin Family New York, Moderator
2019 Foundation & NYU Forum for Civic NY
Wagner Dialogue--Speaker at
``Debates of the
Century''--re:
Congestion Pricing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/1/ General BQE Presentation at New York, Introducto
2019 Contractors the GCA Membership NY ry
Association meeting Remarks
(GCA) and
Following
Discussio
n
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/7/ Harvard Kennedy The Future of New York, Panelist
2019 School (HKS) Transportation: NY
Innovative
Technology
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/14/ New York City FY20 Preliminary New York, Hearing
2019 Council Budget Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/19/ Regional Plan Panelist on ``Tolling New York, Panelist
2019 Association for Transit'' NY
(RPA) Congestion Pricing
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/7/ Women's WTS Glass Ceiling New York, Panelist
2019 Transportation Panel NY
Seminar (WTS)--
GNY
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/10/ New York City FY20 Executive Budget New York, Hearing
2019 Council Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
and Committee on
Finance
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/14/ Smart Cities Vision Zero to New York, Remarks
2019 Conference Autonomous Vehicles NY Provided
------------------------------------------------------------------------
6/12/ New York City DOT 5 Year Master New York, Hearing
2019 Council Plan for Streets, NY Witness
Committee on Sidewalks &
Transportation Pedestrian Spaces
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9/17/ Intelligent Keynote Speech at the New York, Keynote
2019 Transportation ITS America Urban NY Speech
Society of re: Vision Zero
America (ITS)
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10/14/ American Public APTA General Session: New York, Panelist
2019 Transportation TRANSformational NY
Association Technology
(APTA)
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10/16/ American Public APTA Wednesday Wake New York, Featured
2019 Transportation Up Breakfast: NY Speaker
Association TRANSformational
(APTA)
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10/24/ New York City Bike Safety Hearing New York, Hearing
2019 Council NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
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10/29/ Bus Association 2nd Annual BUS Forum New York, Featured
2019 of New York Panel Discussion NY Speaker
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10/31/ Harvard Kennedy Urban Mobility New York, Featured
2019 School (HKS) Presentation & NY Speaker
Discussion
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11/4/ Open House NY The Moving City New York, Featured
2019 (OHNY) Program NY Speaker
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12/9/ NYU Rudin Center Better Buses Panel New York, Panelist
2019 NY
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12/10/ Real Estate Board Address to their New York, Featured
2019 of NY (REBNY) Board of Governors NY Speaker
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2020
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1/29/ New York City Oversight Hearing: New York, Hearing
2020 Council Improving Street & NY Witness
Committee on Vehicle Safety
Transportation
Council
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2/25/ New York City Oversight Hearing: New York, Hearing
2020 Council The Future of the NY Witness
Committee on BQE
Transportation
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3/7/ Bicycle Coalition Lunch Keynote Speech: Philadelph Keynote
2020 of Greater Vision Zero ia, PA Speaker
Philadelphia Conference
------------------------------------------------------------------------
3/9/ New York City FY21 Preliminary New York, Hearing
2020 Council Budget Hearing NY Witness
Committee on
Transportation
------------------------------------------------------------------------
4/24/ New York City COVID-19 Relief New York, Hearing
2020 Council Package--Temporary NY--Heari Witness
Committee on Space for ng held
Transportation pedestrians and via Zoom
cyclists
------------------------------------------------------------------------
5/12/ New York City FY21 Draft Budget New York, Hearing
2020 Council NY--Heari Witness
Committee on ng held
Transportation via Zoom
and Committee on
Finance
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6/4/ New York City Temporary Space for New York, Hearing
2020 Council Outdoor Dining NY--Heari Witness
Committee on ng held
Consumer Affairs via Zoom
and Business
Licensing
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9/9/ New York City Hearing: DOT's New York, Hearing
2020 Council Response to COVID-19 NY--Heari Witness
Committee on and the Open Streets ng held
Transportation via Zoom
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9/30/ New York City Hearing: Outdoor New York, Hearing
2020 Council Dining & Open NY--Heari Witness
Transportation Streets during COVID- ng held
Committee 19/Permanent Outdoor via Zoom
Dining Program
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10/27/ New York City Shared Moped and E- New York, Hearing
2020 Council Scooter Hearing NY--Heari Witness
Committee on ng held
Transportation via Zoom
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______
ATTACHMENT E
Trottenberg Congressional Testimony
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Hearing
Topic Committee Date
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Nominations to NASA, the National Senate Committee on 7/8/2009
Transportation Safety Board, The Commerce, Science,
Federal Maritime Commission and and Transportation
the Department of Transportation
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``DOT's Research and Development to House Committee on 11/19/2009
Support the Department of Science and
Transportation's Strategic Goals'' Technology
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``Doubling U.S. Exports: Are U.S. Senate Finance 4/29/2010
Sea Ports Ready for the Committee,
Challenge?'' Subcommittee on
International Trade,
Customs, and Global
Competitiveness
Committee
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``Building American Transportation Senate Committee on 7/20/2011
Infrastructure through Innovative Commerce, Science,
Funding'' and Transportation
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Nominations to the Department of Senate Committee on 12/4/2012
Transportation, Department of Commerce, Science,
Commerce, The Federal and Transportation
Communications Commission, and the
Federal Trade Commission
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``The Impact of Federal Investments Senate Committee on 2/26/2013
on People, Communities, and Long- Budget
term Economic Growth''
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``Retrospective Review: Have House Committee on 5/8/2013
Existing Regulatory Burdens on Small Business
Small Businesses Been Reduced''
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``Crumbling Infrastructure: Senate Committee on 6/13/2013
Examining the Challenges of our Appropriations
Outdated and Overburdened Highways
and Bridges''
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``How the Financial Status of House Committee on 7/23/2013
Highway Trust Fund Impacts Surface Transportation and
Transportation Programs'' Infrastructure
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``Innovation and America's Senate Committee on 6/13/2018
Infrastructure: Examining the Environment and Public
Effects of Emerging Autonomous Works
Technologies on America's Roads
and Bridges''
------------------------------------------------------------------------
______
ATTACHMENT F
Trottenberg Legal Proceedings in Which Named in Official Capacity
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Matter Name Court Docket#
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IN RE: THE CAMBRIDGE OWNERS CORP Supreme: New York 0100727/2013
VS NYC DOT, ET AL. Appellate Division
1st Dept
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BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE Supreme: New York 100292/2014
GRAMERCY CONDOMINIUM VS
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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CENTER FOR INDEPENDENCE OF THE USDC: SD/NY 14CV05884
DISABLED, NEW YORK, ET AL. VS
CITY OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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BOARD OF MANAGERS OF THE HORIZON Supreme: New York 101276/2014
CONDOMINIUM VS TRANSPORTATION,
DEPARTMENT OF, NYC, ET AL.
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CAULFIELD, MARY VS SILVER, Supreme: New York 101036/2015
MITCHELL J., ET AL.
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WEST, MARY, ET AL. VS CITY OF USDC: SD/NY 16CV02299
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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FRAYDUN REALTY CO., ET AL VS Supreme: New York 158295/2016
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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207-211 W. 106 LLC, ET AL. VS Supreme: New York 160425/2016
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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EVANS, CARL, ET AL. VS STATE OF USDC: ED/NY 15CV03942
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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SORENSEN, ALICE VS TROTTENBERG, Supreme: Kings 514068/2016
POLLY, ET AL.
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ASIAMAH, ANGEL A. VS CITY OF NEW Supreme: Bronx 023079/2017E
YORK, ET AL.
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ASIAMAH, ANGEL A. VS CITY OF NEW Supreme: Bronx 023079/2017
YORK, ET AL.
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HERNANDEZ-VELEZ, JUANITA VS CITY Supreme: Bronx 023078/2017E
OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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STERN VS CITY OF NEW YORK, ET USDC: ED/NY 17CV04973
AL.
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BUTTO, JAMI-LYN VS CITY OF NEW USDC: ED/NY 17CV05590
YORK, ET AL.
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KOSSARIS, EMMANUEL VS CITY OF Supreme: Queens 009935/2017
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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70 FRANKLIN PLACE, LLC VS Supreme: New York 158655/2017
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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EMFT, LLC, ET AL. VS Supreme: New York 158695/2017
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL
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PATERNO, JOHN VS CITY OF NEW USDC: SD/NY 17CV08278
YORK, ET AL.
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LOCAL 621, SEIU, ET AL. VS Supreme: New York 101831/2017
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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MULADZHANOV, ABRAM VS CITY OF USDC: ED/NY 18CV00930
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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MUGROSE CONSTRUCTION, INC. VS Supreme: New York 1534S6/2018
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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SCOTTO, MARIANO VS CITY OF NEW Supreme: New York 153766/2018
YORK, ET AL.
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AMERICAN COUNCIL OF THE BLIND OF USDC: SD/NY 18CV0S792
NEW YORK INC., ET AL. VS CITY
OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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ZIM, ERIC M. VS CITY OF NEW Supreme: Queens 006682/2018
YORK, ET AL.
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BRADY, TERRELL VS Supreme: New York 151035/2019
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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MALONE, STEPHEN, ET AL. VS CITY Supreme: New York 151185/2019
OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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CANNON POINT PRESERVATION Supreme: New York 152692/2019
CORPORATION, ET AL. VS CITY OF
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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COQUIS SALES APPLIANCES, LLC VS Supreme: Bronx 260317/2019
MAYOR WILLIAM DEBLASIO, ET AL.
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BELMONTE, JOHN, ET AL VS CITY OF Supreme: New York 155988/2019
NEW YORK, ET AL.
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COUNCIL OF CHELSEA BLOCK Supreme: New York 156153/2019
ASSOCIATIONS, ET AL. VS
TROTTENBERG, POLLY AS
COMMISSIONER OF TRANSPORTATION,
DEPARTMENT OF, NYC
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THE RESIDENTIAL BOARD OF Supreme: New York 157445/2019
MANAGERS OF THE CENTURY
CONDOMINIUM, ET AL. VS
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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STREET, MONROE VS CITY OF NEW Supreme: New York 158466/2019
YORK, ET AL.
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RIDGEWOOD PROPERTY OWNERS AND Supreme: Queens 5756/2019
CIVIC ASSOCIATION, INC., ET AL
V. POLLY TROTTENBERG, IN HER
OFFICIAL CAPACITY AS
COMMISSIONER, CITY OF NEW YORK
(NEW YORK CITY DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION); AND CITY OF
NEW YORK (NEW YORK CITY
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION)
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AXHIJAJA, RAY VS TROTTENBERG, Supreme: New York 158815/2019
POLLY, ET AL.
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TARANTO VS CITY OF NEW YORK Supreme: New York 159872/2019
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MCCREERY, DAVID T. VS Supreme: New York 100030/2020
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF,
NYC, ET AL.
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SCHWARTZ, ARTHUR Z. VS Supreme: New York 150195/2020
TROTTENBERG, POLLY
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MCCREERY, DAVID T. VS Supreme: New York 154601/2020
TRANSPORTATION, DEPARTMENT OF
NYC, ET AL.
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BLUE LIVES MATTER NYC, INC, ET USDC:SD/NY 1:20CV06292
AL. VS DE BLASIO, ET AL.
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WOMEN FOR AMERICA FIRST VS BILL USDC: SD/NY 20CV05746
DEBLASIO, ET AL
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HERNANDEZ-VELEZ, JUANITA VS CITY Supreme: Bronx 023078/2017E
OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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MULADZHANOV, ABRAM, ET AL VS Supreme: New York 157542/2020
CITY OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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WAN HAO RESTAURANT, INC., ET AL. Supreme: Queens 720744/2020
VS CITY OF NEW YORK, ET AL.
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The Chair. Ms. Trottenberg, thank you so much for that
statement, your willingness to serve, and again, for your work
over many years here in the Senate and working in the
Department of Transportation. So I have a basic question we ask
all nominees. If you are confirmed, will you pledge to work
collaboratively with this committee, provide thorough and
timely response to our requests for information, and work
together to address important policy issues?
Ms. Trottenberg. I pledge to do so.
The Chair. Thank you. I mentioned sound transit. I think
this is a good place to start given your past years of
experience. We are experiencing $1 billion shortfall. The
problem is, you know, this program originally was intended to
build a spine up and down Puget Sound from Tacoma to Everett.
And obviously various things have changed along the project.
But the bottom line is that the COVID pandemic has left us with
a big shortfall. And so we want these projects to continue. We
want these major hubs of manufacturing to be connected.
So do you believe we need to provide additional transit
agencies nationwide with revenues to help deal with the
shortfall from the pandemic? And what do you think we can do to
help give tools to these agencies, so they continue their
important work and make sure these projects are completed?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thanks for that question, Madam Chair. And
look, it is no question the pandemic has had a devastating
effect not only on the transit agencies in big cities like
Seattle and New York, but in rural transit agencies too. You
know, the plummeting ridership, the need to invest in more, you
know, sanitation protocols and cleaning protocols and workforce
protection has left a lot of transit agencies reeling. I know
that Congress has already and some of its relief packages taken
some great steps to help the transit agencies recover.
I think we will probably need to continue to work together
on that. We certainly, just as you are mentioning in sound
transit, we don't want to see important capital projects
derailed for all these systems all over the country. It would
be very hard to come back and make up that lost ground. And I
know the Department has a role to play in making sure we help
to keep these projects moving to be as, you know, efficient and
streamlined as we can so we don't lose ground.
The Chair. Thank you. We must also address multimodal
freight bottlenecks such as the West Seattle Bridge
replacement, the I-5 Bridge replacement, which connects
Washington, Oregon, the Apple capital loop in Wenatchee. These
are major infrastructure investments that also need support. So
do you support increasing the freight infrastructure program or
lifting the caps that they have on the limits of multimodal
projects?
Ms. Trottenberg. I certainly do, Senator. Something we
actually got to work together on in the Obama Administration.
And, you know, one of the key areas that bring together so many
parts of the country, I think during the pandemic. You know,
certainly it hit home for all of us how absolutely crucial our
supply chain was, our need to move freight to make sure we were
keeping our supermarket stocked, our industries moving in these
challenging times. You know, we really look forward to working
with you all on that. I think there is a lot more we can do to
strengthen the Nation's freight network and make sure we remain
in a position of, you know, dominant global competitiveness
when it comes to our supply chains.
The Chair. A related issue, I believe, is at grade
crossings. We have 128,000 public railroad crossings in the
United States, 62 percent of which are in rural communities.
And they are also a gateway to moving these products. Do you
think we need to make some changes or dedicated funding to help
relieve some of the blocked--challenges we are facing with
safety and capacity at our railroad crossings?
Ms. Trottenberg. Would certainly like to work with you all
in that. I mean, I know there are two elements, particularly,
as you know, freight movement on trains. The trains have gotten
longer and that poses both safety challenges. And we are, you
know, we are still losing too many lives in this country at
grade crossings, and also just for communities bisected by
those long freight trains and how that can, you know, slow down
travel and impact emergency responses. So, yes, certainly an
area we should work together and make investments.
The Chair. And one of our other issues we have to deal with
is obviously the impact on transportation on our salmon
population in the Northwest. So as we are building highway
projects, we want to make sure that the environmental impacts
of these infrastructures are also considered. So I hope you
will work with us on those issues and continuing the efforts of
mitigation.
Ms. Trottenberg. You have my commitment to do so.
The Chair. Yes, thank you. Senator Wicker.
Senator Wicker. Well, the distinguished Chair has yielded
back 41 seconds. Thank you, Ms. Trottenberg, for being with us
today. I appreciate your testimony. Let me just say I am
delighted to hear the conversation about freight infrastructure
improvements, about addressing the issue with grade crossings.
It is something that is an issue in the Southeast as well as in
the Northwest and all over the country. So glad to have that
discussed. I think the freight and passenger rail can coexist
and do just fine. It may not shock you that I am going to ask
about restoring Amtrak service on the Gulf Coast between
Mobile, the Gulf Coast counties of Mississippi, and New
Orleans.
You know, New Orleans, of course, one of our major
metropolitan centers in the country, a metropolitan area of 1.2
million people, and the service that was--has been interrupted
now for 15 and a half years was from this major metropolitan
area to Mobile County, which is about a county of over 400,000
people and passing through the three most populous counties of
South Mississippi being Hancock, Harrison, and Jackson
counties.
Have you looked at this and can you discuss whether or not
you are committed to supporting the local and State Governments
who have weighed in on behalf of restoring Amtrak service along
the Gulf Coast?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thanks for the question, Senator, and I
certainly am very familiar with your support for this project.
I have looked into it. I am a big, enthusiastic supporter of
passenger rail and certainly want to look forward to working
with you and Amtrak and potentially the host railroads to make
sure that we can restore the service. I understand that it is
so important for that part of the country.
Senator Wicker. Very important. And have you been down to
the Gulf Coast of Mississippi lately?
Ms. Trottenberg. I haven't been lately. I did get the
opportunity to take actually a different train, the crescent
train, all the way from New York down through the Gulf Coast to
New Orleans. So I have ridden----
Senator Wicker. Well, we are going to invite you back to
look at this New Orleans to Mississippi to Mobile route. And I
think you will be impressed by the beauty in the area, but also
the potential there and the public support that we have. So I
hope you will consent to accepting an invitation.
Ms. Trottenberg. It would be a pleasure.
Senator Wicker. Now, let's talk about the FAST Act. And,
you know, Senator Cantwell and I struggle with funds. We
appreciate the grants and the bill and things like that. But we
had to do an abbreviated FAST Act last year, just a 1-year
extension. We need to do better than that. And I hope you agree
that we do. How do you think the Administration will propose to
pay for a major multi-year FAST Act reauthorization?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. And
certainly, again, in my time on the Hill, at U.S. DOT have been
involved in a number of the big surface reauthorizations. And I
certainly agree with you, having long term bills, I can speak
now as a local transportation official, is so important for
State and local transportation agencies to have some of that
certainty in knowing, you know, what the Federal funding
picture is going to look like for a number of years.
I know that the Secretary, when he was before this
committee, talked about the fact that the Administration is
interested in, I think, a big important surface transportation
reauthorization proposal. I am not in a position today to tell
you exactly, I think, what they might be looking at in terms of
funding. But I know the Secretary spoke about the fact that he
very much wants to work with members of this committee and
other committees of jurisdiction to find a way to make the kind
of investments we need in our transportation system.
Senator Wicker. Do you have any idea when the Secretary and
the President will move toward actually coming up with a
proposal? Because, you know, here we are now. We have a new
President. We have a new Secretary. We will soon have you,
undoubtedly. And we are going to need proposals. So when do
you--what is your information about how the spending and the
revenue part of it will be formulated?
Ms. Trottenberg. Well, I am not in the Department yet, so I
haven't been part of sort of those intimate discussions. But I
certainly know that the Administration, obviously, their big
immediate focus has been COVID relief and the reconciliation
bill. But I know there are discussions underway about what will
be in the President's budget. You know, what potentially
looking at stimulus and a surface bill. And we understand loud
and clear from members here on the Hill that there is a big
desire for the Administration to come soon with proposals and
ideas.
Senator Wicker. Well, thank you and good luck to you, Ms.
Trottenberg. Let me just say this, Madam Chair, you and I and
every member of this committee knows that transportation
programs have to be paid for and the scheme we've had over the
last little while has not been adequate to pay for what we
need, and we might as well fess up as adults that this is going
to cost money and that there is, I think, a realization out
there among the public that if you get a good, well built,
solid asset, at the end of the day, the American people don't
mind paying for something that's done well.
But we are going to have to be realistic and I hope the
Administration will be coming forward soon with a solid
recommendation on how to pay for roads and bridges and other
forms of transportation. And thank you for indulging me there,
Madam Chair.
The Chair. Senator Wicker, always, always, always. Thank
you so much. Senator Schatz.
STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN SCHATZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Schatz. Thank you, Madam Chair, and thank you to
Ms. Trottenberg for our good conversation yesterday and for
being willing to serve again in the Biden Administration. I
want to start with your experience in New York City, in the
city's Vision Zero initiative that helped to increase the
number of bike lanes and sidewalks and bus lanes. And I just
wonder whether you couldn't describe to the Committee what
lessons you take from your experience in New York City and how
that might inform your work at the Department of
Transportation.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. And
I think, look, New York City is a very unique place, but I
think I did learn a lot of lessons that I hope will be
applicable to my work at the national level. Vision Zero proved
a program, I think, that supported New Yorkers across the
board. There is such a desire out there for safer streets. And
one of the most, I think, moving parts of my job was getting to
know some of the families who had lost loved ones in traffic
crashes and, you know, working closely with them to find ways
to redesign our streets, to make them safer for all users,
safer for people in cars, as well as for pedestrians and
cyclists, safer for our seniors and for our kids near our
schools.
We took a very data driven and very comprehensive approach,
and we worked very closely with local communities. And I think
that is a key at the national level as well. I am well aware,
again, New York is unique in a lot of ways, and there is
certainly not a one size fits all, but roadway safety is such
an important priority and something that I think there is such
a shared desire in this country to do more on. I mean, we are
losing now about 36,000 people a year on our roadways, and that
is far too many.
Senator Schatz. Thank you for that and I really appreciate
the framing here. The complete streets sort of branding has
become polarizing, unfortunately, even though all we are saying
is that depending on the time of day and the time of year and
one's individual circumstances, one may end up being a
pedestrian or a public transportation user or a driver. And so
the idea that we are going to pit one user against the other,
you know, sort of doesn't pass the reality test of the fact
that all of us are oftentimes multiple kinds of users.
And so I am wondering in terms of the urban and rural
divide as it relates to some of these transportation policies,
whether you think the complete street's model and a desire to
get safer streets can work in more rural communities. As an
example, the town of Lihue, an old plantation town on the
island of Kauai, got a TIGER grant and then a follow up BUILD
grant to do a sort of redevelopment of downtown Lihue.
And it was supported with tons of enthusiasm from the
Department of Transportation and also our mayor and our city
council on the island of Kauai. Can you talk about safer
streets as a rural issue, especially in small towns?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you. It is a good question. And
roadway safety is an issue all over the country. And I know
certainly talking to some of the members in preparing for this
hearing, we see far too many fatalities on our rural roadways
as well. So I think this is--I found you, as you say, Senator,
sometimes these issues can be a bit polarizing, but roadway
safety is an issue that really brings people together. And
there are so many ways, I think, techniques we can use. They
work on city streets. They work on streets in small towns. And
they can work on rural highways as well.
Senator Schatz. Thank you. Final question, how do you see
the Department of Transportation as a driver in terms of
climate action? I know the President has asked his entire
cabinet, the entire Administration, the entire Federal
Government to understand that climate change is no longer
confined to the Department of Interior, perhaps the EPA and the
Department of Energy, but rather every single Department has to
work on dealing with the impacts of climate change, but also
the opportunities related to taking climate action. And where
do you see the best opportunities within the Department of
Transportation to fulfill that mission articulated by the
President?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question. And I know
when the Secretary was before you all, he spoke about what we
describe as the whole of Government approach to climate. The
Biden Administration has made climate change a top priority.
And I am sure as members of this committee know, the
transportation sector is the largest carbon emitting sector in
our economy.
And I think the Secretary has spoken, as has the President,
I think so eloquently about how in transportation, tackling
climate change is something that can really be an opportunity,
an opportunity to embrace new technologies for, you know,
American leadership and some of the emerging vehicle
technologies that are out there.
Also technologies in aviation and in the maritime sector. I
think there are ways we can reduce the carbon footprint of the
transportation sector while also doing some things that will
help our economy grow. I think the Department is very excited
about those efforts and really looks forward to working with
all of you on that.
Senator Schatz. Thank you very much.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Schatz. Senator Thune are you
ready to--Senator Thune.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
Senator Thune. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Trottenberg,
together with my--by the way, welcome to the Committee.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you.
Senator Thune. Together with my colleague, Senator Peters,
we have worked over the past several years to enact automated
vehicle legislation, which I believe is the key to ensuring
that AVs are tested and deployed under a safe and consistent
regulatory framework. And I remain committed to continue to
work with Senator Peters to advance this critical emerging
technology. AVs have the potential to dramatically reduce
highway fatalities, relieve congestion, and provide a safe and
accessible transportation option for the elderly and disabled.
And I have been pleased to see NHTSA's recent actions to
improve the testing and deployment of AVs through the granting
of exemption petitions and updates to relevant regulations and
I hope that the Department will continue to build on this
important work. You mentioned in your testimony your work in
reducing traffic and pedestrian fatalities and the importance
of programs like Vision Zero. Do you see AVs as part of the
solution to reducing traffic and pedestrian fatalities?
Ms. Trottenberg. I do, Senator. Thank you for the question.
Certainly, I think the AV technology holds the promise and it
is exciting to think about of dramatically reducing fatalities
on a roadway, some would hope eliminating them altogether. I
agree with you, the Department has an important role to play
in, you know, obviously both making sure that the testing and
deployment is done in a safe way, but also helping to make sure
we are facilitating this technology. And I spoke with your
colleague, Senator Peters, about it yesterday and look forward
to working with you all on that.
Senator Thune. I was going to say, OK. If confirmed, you
would make modernizing motor vehicle safety standards and
working with Congress to create a uniform regulatory framework
for AVs a priority?
Ms. Trottenberg. If confirmed, yes.
Senator Thune. Thank you. I want to come back to, you know,
obviously we have got to do a surface transportation bill
reauthorization. Maybe it is part of an infrastructure package.
Who knows at this point? But we did have broad bipartisan
cooperation on the last highway bill, which was the FAST Act in
2015. And it was widely popular not only here, big vote in
Congress, but among states. And there was, you know, a big
bipartisan highway bill reported out of the Environment Public
Works committee in the last Congress. And I guess my question
is, as we work toward a surface transportation reauthorization
in this Congress, I hope we can do so in a bipartisan manner
and recognize that our Nation's diverse and highly
interconnected transportation system.
And one of the things I will emphasize is the importance of
rural areas where the vast majority of agricultural, industrial
commodities originate. I have said it before and I will say it
again, but the investments we make in infrastructure benefit
the entire country, not just rural areas by keeping the
national transportation system fluid and interconnected. And I
am curious about your overall views on that and how we might be
able to work in a bipartisan way. There is a lot of discussion
right now about doing something on infrastructure through
reconciliation, which would be sort of one party as opposed to
working across the aisle, which we have historically done on
these.
And second, how would we--how would we finance it? And what
are your views about how to pay for, which has been the issue
that has eluded folks up here now for many, many highway bills,
and in many cases, we end up just adding it to the debt and
passing the bill to our kids and grandkids, which I don't think
is a conservative position, but it shouldn't even be a position
that anybody on either side of the aisle ought to support. We
need to pay for infrastructure. So give me your thoughts on
that as we approach a reauthorization bill.
Ms. Trottenberg. I will tackle each of your questions in
turn. First, the question of freight network, absolutely
essential. And was saying to your colleague, I think in some
ways this pandemic year drove it home more than ever. You know,
we relied so crucially on the supply chain to keep our
supermarket stocked, to keep, you know, certainly big cities
like New York going. It has been long an area of focus for me
at the national level, something I did a lot of work on during
the Obama Administration. And, you know, having spent time in
your part of the country, recognize how crucial it is to get
agricultural products to market, manufacturing products.
And certainly an area I had like to work with you all on.
Next question, I think urban versus rural. Certainly recognize
national needs all over the country. And again, in my time as
both a Federal official in the Obama Administration and my time
here on the Hill, got to work so closely with members and
localities all over the country, and, you know, recognize we--
you know, one of the priorities that this President has talked
about is making sure that we are serving, when he speaks about
equity, making sure that we are serving communities all over
the country that perhaps have not fully shared a national
prosperity. That can be urban and sometimes that is rural
communities as well.
And I know that is going to be a big focus of our
Administration. He has also spoken about bipartisanship, and I
have had the privilege in my time on the Hill to work on two
very bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bills
and certainly hope that we will be able to do that again. And,
you know, if confirmed, we would welcome the chance to work
with you all on that.
Senator Thune. Right. The one thing you didn't answer was
the financing piece.
Ms. Trottenberg. Oh, I am sorry, Senator. You are right. I
did not answer the financing--.
Senator Thune. Nobody ever wants to answer that question.
Ms. Trottenberg. Ranking Member Wicker also asked me about
that, and I am afraid I am--you know, I haven't joined the
Administration yet. Still hoping to get confirmed. And I can't
speak yet as to what kind of proposals they might put forth on
financing. I do know, I mean, certainly the President has
spoken about the need to make major new investments in
transportation. And I think he has been a strong supporter of
that. And I certainly have heard from your colleagues today. I
hope that, if confirmed, will be part of the discussions with
the Administration and we will have proposals soon to start
talking to Members of Congress.
Senator Thune. And I would just add, as part of those
proposals, too, was, how do we pay for it? I mean, I think that
is something we have got to deal with, and we have been putting
off for way too long. So, Madam Chair? Alright, I will call on
Senator Fischer is up next, my neighbor from Nebraska.
STATEMENT OF HON. DEB FISCHER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEBRASKA
Senator Fischer. Thank you, Senator Thune. Ms. Trottenberg,
it is so nice to see you here. We had a great discussion a week
or so ago, and I really enjoyed bringing to your attention a
number of issues and then your response and your thoughts on
some of the things that you have accomplished in your previous
work and what you are looking forward to working on now. So
thank you for being here today.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Fischer. We discussed about an FMCSA rule that came
out last year and it made targeted reforms to the truck hours
of service requirements that are there. That is a challenge
that we continue to see. It is a challenge to be able to get to
a final rule. And I hope that we will be able to see the
Administration and you, and your position be able to support
that. So if confirmed, will you ensure that the final hours of
service rule issued by FMCSA last year will remain in effect?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will say, if confirmed, I am certainly
going to get into the Department and I know we had a very good
discussion about the importance of the FMCSA's rules, and I
know it will be one of my early priorities to look into, you
know, the steps the Department is taking and see what happens
next with that rule.
Senator Fischer. OK, thank you. Also, the COVID-19 relief
package that was passed in December included $2 billion in
funding to support the private motorcoach school bus and small
passenger vessel industries. If confirmed, will you make that a
priority to provide the guidance and the allocations for this
funding as soon as possible?
Ms. Trottenberg. As we discussed, Senator, I agree. A very
big priority. That industry has been so hard hit by the
pandemic. And I know that the program that DOT is working with
Treasury on, and if confirmed, certainly want to make that a
priority.
Senator Fischer. OK. Thank you. Also, I have worked with my
colleagues and the Administration on ways to provide truck
haulers of agricultural commodities, including livestock
haulers, flexibility in meeting their hours of service
requirements. In our conversation, I have told you that I
brought this to the attention of now Secretary Buttigieg when
we spoke privately about it. He said that he would, of course,
look into it and work with us on it to be able to really
address a unique challenge that agriculture producers have when
they are transporting their goods. Will you commit to me that
you will work with me and also the stakeholders, our Ag
producers, our livestock haulers to provide them with
appropriate hours of service flexibility?
Ms. Trottenberg. I commit to work with you, Senator. And
your Senator across the aisle, Senator Tester also certainly
brought that issue to my attention.
Senator Fischer. Great. Yes. I have a bill which I spoke to
you about, the HAULS Act, so I hope you will look that over and
we will be able to work together. Thank you. Also, Senator
Duckworth and I, as Chair and Ranking Member of the
Subcommittee, we were able to get a bipartisan PIPES Act that
was passed. It took a long time to get that done. A lot of hard
work on it. There are a number of provisions in that bill that
would enhance the safety provisions that we have for pipelines.
It ensures that PHMSA is going to have a well-trained staff and
the resources that it needs, among other things. If confirmed,
will you ensure that PHMSA implements the provisions of that
Act and make it consistent with PHMSA's safety mission?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will, Senator. Thank you for your
leadership on that legislation. I know it has been very well
received and the agency is already underway in its efforts.
Senator Fischer. Thank you. In January, NHTSA issued a
final rule updating certain definitions in vehicle
crashworthiness standards to account for automated and
passenger-less vehicles. NHTSA said this is part of a series of
actions it is taking to modernize Federal vehicle standards for
new technologies. Have you had a chance to look at that final
rule? And if so, what are your thoughts on that?
Ms. Trottenberg. I am familiar with it, Senator, but I have
to say I would like to, for that one if confirmed, I want to
get into the building and really talk to the experts and make
sure I have a deep understanding.
Senator Fischer. You know, we are looking at a variety of
modes of transportation, and you will be in your new position
as well, that when we apply all of the new technologies that
are out there as well, it is going to take really some serious
study of the current frameworks that we have and what is going
to be needed in future frameworks.
So I wish you all the best, if you are confirmed, to be
able to really dig into the exciting technology that is
available, but also to recognize the need that we have for more
traditional modes of transportation to really address the
diversity that we have in this country with states that deal
with vastness and also with more urban and congested areas.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you. I agree with you. There are a
lot of very exciting safety developments on the horizon and
obviously safety is going to be a big focus and priority for
the Department.
Senator Fischer. Thank you very much. I appreciate you
being here today. Senator Blumenthal, you are next for
questions.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Senator. And I want to thank
Ms. Trottenberg, for your continued commitment to public
service. Welcome back to the Senate. I know you spent a lot of
years here, maybe the most number of years of any place in your
career, so you are no stranger to this forum. And I want to
ask, first of all, about the Gateway project and about the
tunnel under the Hudson. You and I have talked about it a bit
privately. I would like to know how big a priority you think
this project should be, because clearly, in my view, without
the Gateway project our rail and possibly the other
transportation systems will collapse on the East Coast.
As much of an exaggeration as it may seem to say it that
way, it is literally true that the tunnel is decaying and
increasingly decrepit. It poses a danger to transportation up
and down the East Coast. It could literally cripple the
transportation grid as we know it now. And yet there have been
delays and foot dragging and finger pointing. I would like to
know whether it will be a priority and what you view as
necessary to cut through the obstacles that have plagued it so
far?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. And
yes, Gateway is going to be a priority. It is truly a project
of national significance, and as you say, one that really would
have just a massive rippling impact if we were to see those
over one hundred year tunnels under the Hudson River for some
reason need to be shut down.
I know that the both the President and the Secretary have
spoken about this project and that the Department is going to
be hard at work and making sure that we are picking up the pace
and expediting the environmental and the other approvals needed
for this project, and working closely, I think, with the
Congress as well to make sure we have a financing and funding
scheme that can get the project done.
Senator Blumenthal. The impact of this project on
Connecticut and New York and New Jersey, literally all of our
states, should bring us together and it should enlist the full
commitment and energetic involvement of the Federal Government.
What should Congress be doing?
Ms. Trottenberg. I mean, I think, again, the
Administration--I haven't been confirmed yet, I am not in the
door, but my understanding is they are hard at work going
through environmental and other approval processes and starting
to talk to the project sponsors about what else might be
needed, what kind of funding and financing might need to be in
place, and that may be potentially a place where the
Administration will be coming back to Congress for further
discussion.
Senator Blumenthal. I would like to ask you for a
commitment that you will provide me, and whoever else is
interested on this committee, with a report within a couple,
four weeks of your being confirmed? I am very hopeful, indeed
optimistic that you will be confirmed, and I would like to have
a report from you on what the status is. What steps need to be
taken. Because I think we are at the point now where we need to
seize this moment.
It is such an imperative for our transportation system. It
is a test of our credibility as a Government whether we can get
this done, whether infrastructure matters in a project that is
at the core of our entire rail and transportation system for
East Coast and indeed the nation, as you say. So will you
commit to providing such a report?
Ms. Trottenberg. If confirmed, I certainly will, Senator.
And I agree. This is not a project that we can fail to
complete. We are going to have to find a way to do Gateway.
Senator Blumenthal. Let me ask you. On a broader note, I
know that the Administration is committed to infrastructure. Do
you envision innovative new ways to finance that infrastructure
project? And if so, maybe you can allude to some of them.
Ms. Trottenberg. I certainly think it has been a discussion
here at the hearing today about how I think there is pretty
bipartisan consensus, we need to find a way to invest more
resources in transportation. And part of that is certainly, I
think, looking at innovative financing, see if there are ways
we can bring in private investment. I think the Department
actually, we took some steps during the Obama Administration to
try and make those credit programs more user friendly. I think
the last Administration did as well.
There is more work, clearly, that needs to be done there to
make the programs user friendly, to make sure that the costs
are low for potential applicants, to make sure we are tailoring
them, that they really can help projects get off the ground and
do it in a cost effective way. And I think there can be places
where private sector innovation can play a greater role.
Certainly something I am interested on working on if confirmed.
Senator Blumenthal. Well, my time has expired. I appreciate
your testimony today, and again, your commitment to
transportation and public service. I look forward to working
with you. Thank you very much.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Blumenthal. Senator Cruz.
STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal. Ms.
Trottenberg, welcome. Congratulations on your nomination. In
your opening testimony, you mentioned that a focus of the Biden
Department of Transportation will be to foster innovation and
global competitiveness. I couldn't agree more with that
objective. Innovation is pervasive in the transportation
sector, from drones to autonomous vehicles to ride share apps
to commercial space. I will say, however, that I am concerned
that your record is inconsistent with that objective, and so I
want to ask you a bit about that.
One area where we have seen tremendous innovation is on
demand vehicle for hire service, services like Uber and Lyft
that have transformed Americans' access to transportation
services. This is especially true for poor and minority
communities where access to transportation has increased
dramatically because of the availability of services like Uber
and Lyft. However, these services almost immediately
encountered hostile regulatory environments from big cities.
And despite the fact that Uber first entered the New York
City market in 2011 and Lyft entered in 2014, in 2019, New York
City instituted a draconian crackdown on Uber and Lyft, which
you published an Op-ed supporting while you were New York City
Transportation Commissioner, limiting the number of vehicles
that can operate at a particular time, mandating that drivers
carry a passenger at least 69 percent of the time, while
operating in Manhattan below 96th street.
Why did you support draconian regulations on Uber and Lyft,
and how is that consistent with promoting innovation in
transportation?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thanks for the question, Senator. And I
think, you know, I will speak to New York's experience. I think
it has been true in other cities around the country, even
around the world. You know, Uber and Lyft entered into New York
and very quickly, dramatically changed the for-hire vehicle
market, which admittedly had been very much a taxicab medallion
kind of monopoly model.
And Uber and Lyft came in and, you know, believe it or not,
New York actually was a city that was both better able to
regulate them, but also let them operate pretty liberally. Over
the years, they grew to greatly outstrip the size of the taxi
industry and they started to have impacts on the local streets,
particularly congestion. And there is no question in New York.
I think it became a, you know, sort of an issue of political
controversy and a desire to see fewer vehicles on the streets,
to see more people using mass transit, and so that was sort of
New York City's approach.
It is not a one size fits all, but in New York, that was
where the I think the sort of the politics of Uber and Lyft
wound up.
Senator Cruz. So I am not sure the record is consistent
with your description of allowing them to operate, I think you
said quite liberally. The Deputy Mayor of Operations is quoted
in a New York Daily News article, the title of the article is,
``New York City to impose some of the world's toughest
regulations on Uber and Lyft.'' And here is what the Deputy
Mayor of Operations is quoted as saying, ``I think the
regulations are very strict, considering that we are not
allowing them to grow the industry.''
We wanted to do the cap in 2015. That law, as you know, was
later struck down by a New York State Supreme Court Judge who
said ``there was no rational basis to calculate the time
drivers spent looking for new passengers.'' How can this
committee be confident in the regulatory approach you would
take at the Department of Transportation on a Federal level
given, to use the Deputy Mayor of Operations' term, ``the
regulations on Uber and Lyft that were promulgated were very
strict and focusing on not allowing them to grow the
industry''?
Ms. Trottenberg. Again, Senator, thanks for the question,
and I think if you look at the record of Uber and Lyft, they
did have a lot of growth in New York City, but there did come a
time and again, not just out of the Mayor's Office, but our
City Council as well, that there was a desire to see some
limits on that growth. And I would note that I don't think that
has prevented working with those companies on some innovative
projects.
For example, even as obviously we were having some
disagreements on the for-hire vehicle side, New York City
entered into a partnership with Lyft to grow our bike share
program. Very innovative. We now have one of the largest and
most successful bike share programs in the country. Lyft has
been a terrific partner. We have expanded now throughout the
four boroughs.
So, you know, at any given time, I think a big city can
have its different relationships with the technology companies,
but we still found lots of opportunities to partner with that.
Senator Cruz. So you described the previous means of public
transportation in New York, the automobile as a monopoly style
taxi medallion system. And New York's taxi medallion system is
infamous for medallions costing hundreds of thousands of
dollars and for a monopoly system, frankly, encouraging
corruption, benefiting the rich and powerful, and strengthening
the Government regulators at the expense of the little guy. You
said you were concerned about congestion.
Why is it that the regulatory effort wasn't targeting the
monopoly style medallion system, but was instead going after
small business owners, the individual who gets an Uber or Lyft,
is out there making money for his or her family without a
monopoly medallion gifted by the Government? Why did you target
the small business owners in particular?
Ms. Trottenberg. Well, I think it is a good question,
Senator. Thank you. I think it is--you have to be a little
careful to think about generalizing too much. There is a lot of
overlap in the driving population for both medallion cabs and
Uber and Lyft. A lot of drivers drive for both. There are
certainly, you know, some sort of larger investors who own a
lot of medallions, but a lot of drivers just individually own
their own medallions. So it is a pretty diverse population of
drivers.
And, you know, look, I recognize New York City, I think had
its own sort of forged its own path in dealing with these very
new and growing technologies. But I think, you know, it did not
mean that the city was unwilling. Again, as I mentioned, our
partnership with Lyft on bikes, are not, you know, unwilling to
work with these technology companies.
Senator Cruz. Thank you.
STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Tester. Hey, thank you, Madam Chair. I appreciate
it. And, you know, I just want to point out to your staff that
told me that I was going to be able to be the temporary Chair
of this Committee, which would have been a very high honor for
me. And I just want to thank your staff for that, but it is
good to have you back. Ms. Trottenberg, thank you for being
here. It is really important to, kind of, going off the
questions of the previous questioner that we make sure that the
regulation fits the communities.
And when I go to New York City, I am also very concerned
about congestion. We see more cars in a block than I see in a
weekend in Montana. So I want to talk about that, because quite
frankly I don't know that you will find a lot of Senators here
that drove an 18 wheeler last week and is driving a Prius this
week, OK. But the specific thing I want to talk to you about is
rural America. We just got done talking about Manhattan. I want
to talk about rural America. And we talked about this on the
phone a little bit. The one-size-fits-all regulatory scheme.
What might work in Manhattan, New York doesn't work very
well in Manhattan, Montana, OK. And so I would just ask you
that as you are working on an incredibly important issue called
transportation in this country, that is amazingly important, I
don't care where you live, it is critical to quality of life
and community and to the economy that when we start doing
things in rural areas, just pick up the phone and give me a
shout, OK?
And when we start doing things particularly with the large
land based tribes in this country, that you just pick up the
phone and give me a shout. I would just like you to respond to
that and talk about your leadership style when it comes to
developing policy.
Ms. Trottenberg. Yes. Thank you for that question, Senator
Tester. And, you know, I do certainly want to pick up the phone
and talk to you on rural matters and matters involving tribal
Governments. It has been my leadership style to really try and
work with stakeholders. I don't have all the answers. I value
the chance to collaborate with colleagues and stakeholders all
over the country. And, again, particularly recognize, you know,
we have a big, diverse country.
And certainly I know what flies in New York City is going
to be something very different than the issues you might face
in rural Montana. But I think there are some things we all care
a lot about, having safe roads, making sure that our economy is
functioning, that people can get to work and have good quality
of life. I think there are a lot of things we can work on
together.
Senator Tester. I appreciate that. I want to talk about the
Highway Trust Fund for a minute, not to put you on a spot on
how to make it solvent, although that is going to be my
question in the end. But rather to figure out what we are going
to do to make this trust fund solvent. Right now, highways are
really important. I have got a little highway that goes south
of my house. Goes 20 miles. It has been--it started in the mid
60s and was finished in the mid 70s.
It has literally saved me tens of thousands of dollars over
the last 43 years that I have been on the farm and saved my
folks money before that. My parents not so lucky because that
infrastructure--my grandparents not so lucky because that
infrastructure wasn't there. But the question I have for you is
that was built due much in part to the Highway Trust Fund. And
now the Highway Trust Fund is a couple of years away from going
broke, and I may be generous when I say that.
And when I look around, I do see more and more cars being
run off electricity, which I think is a very, very good thing.
So the question is, as we try to make the Highway Trust Fund
solvent, how do we do that? Is it going to be a hybrid of gas
tax and taxes on--I mean, it has got to be paid for something
so we will call them taxes? We can call them something else if
we want to in another time. But maybe tires or miles traveled,
which would put a few red flags up for me, being from a state
where it takes me, you know, 70 miles to get to the place I
market my wheat. But just give me an idea.
Ms. Trottenberg. I mean, Senator, you, of course, raised
something that is now been a big challenge really for the past
few decades and in the past 10 years, you were sort of speaking
about when the Highway Trust Fund becomes insolvent. For the
past 10 years, Congress has been transferring general funds in
to sort of make up some of the shortfall in the Highway Trust
Fund.
So it has been a very long standing problem. And I said to
some of your colleagues before you arrived, I have not been
confirmed yet and not able to speak to exactly what the
Administration might propose. As you mentioned, I think there
have been a lot of good ideas on the table over the years, but
it has proved--you know, finding political consensus has proved
elusive. I know President Biden and the Secretary have spoken
about, you know, their desire to make some really foundational
investments in infrastructure. And have heard from your
colleagues that they are expecting the Administration to bring
some ideas to the table and potentially how we could pay for
that in the near future.
Senator Tester. That is--that is great. And I know when
Buttigieg was in front of this committee a month or so ago, he
talked about that a little bit. And I think that if we do get
an infrastructure package out of the Administration and we are
able to get it passed through Congress, I am certain that there
will be significant dollars for highways in it. But moving
forward, we certainly have to have a mechanism by which to
maintain those highways, which is also very, very important. I
want to thank you, Madam Chair. And thank you for being here,
Ms. Trottenberg.
The Chair. Thank you. And Senator Tester, we will
definitely allow you to chair this committee many times and so
appreciate your willingness to help stand by and certainly
appreciate Senator Blumenthal filling in while we had to go
vote on several other nominees. So I believe Senator Sullivan
is next. Senator Rosen.
STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA
Senator Rosen. Thank you, Madam Chair. Appreciate it. I
hope, Senator Sullivan fixes his computer issues, if that is
what it is. I appreciate you, Ms. Trottenberg, for being here,
your willingness to serve, and I would like to just go right
into it. Of course, in Nevada, we know members of this
committee, Kyrsten Sinema and I will talk about the importance
of expanding I-11. That is the number one infrastructure
priority between Nevada and Arizona delegations. One of the few
cities that don't have any interstate connecting are Phoenix
and Las Vegas and parts beyond.
And so Nevada has a booming population. We are one of the
fastest growing states in America. We need to meet that highway
infrastructure, that increased demand that we are seeing, and
investments have to include that I-11 connecting Nevada,
Arizona, U.S.-Mexico border runs through Phoenix all the way up
to Reno and into Northern Nevada. So Secretary Buttigieg, he
made a commitment to move on I-11.
I would appreciate your commitment as well. And in addition
to that, would you also commit to working to address congestion
issues along the Interstate 15, which travels through Southern
Nevada, connects to Utah and California through Nevada?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator. You have my commitment
on those two projects. It is perhaps an interesting coincidence
that the last vacation I got to take before COVID was a trip
that started in Las Vegas and went to Sedona, Arizona, and then
down to Phoenix. So I am certainly familiar with the highway
issues there.
Senator Rosen. And I can tell you that is a great drive and
beautiful and I hope we all get a chance to start doing that
again. And that leads me into my next question. Thank you. It
is travel and tourism. And so travel and tourism related
industries, well they just drive our job creation and economic
growth across the country, but especially in Nevada where these
kinds of industries are absolutely essential to our state's
prosperity. During COVID-19, of course, the pandemic hit us
particularly hard. We are top of the unemployment list. We are
expected to be one of the last states to come back because of
travel and tourism and we just have so much riding on that part
of our economy.
And so as Chair, I am so grateful. I am Chair of the
Committee's new Subcommittee on Tourism, Trade and Export
Promotion. I have the responsibility to lead the effort to
rebuild these critical sectors for Nevadans and for the
American people. So I would really love to work with you and
the Department of Transportation toward this goal. In Nevada,
we not only have a robust tourism along our Las Vegas Strip,
but we have robust outdoor tourism. Like you said, you went to
Sedona, Arizona. They have it in Arizona as well, Grand Canyon,
Sedona.
We have a wonderful recreation economy, and we need to be
sure that we have COVID-19 safety protocols for people to
explore our Great Basin National Park, many of our mountain
ranges. I like to remind people that Nevada is the most
mountainous state in the lower 48. And so our Outdoor Business
Association, it really estimates outdoor recreation tourism in
Nevada generates over $1.1 billion annually to our state and
local revenue, responsible for nearly 90,000 jobs. We only have
about 3 million people in Nevada, so that is a lot.
And so I was hoping you would work with me to be sure that
we move forward with infrastructure legislation, that we invest
in COVID recovery that includes support for tourism. As Deputy
Secretary, will you ensure that DOT prioritizes engaging on
transportation issues that take into account the impact on our
greater tourism economy?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. I
got to also speak to your Ranking Member, Senator Scott, and
would be very enthusiastic about assisting in the efforts to
help, obviously, the tourism industry, which has been
devastated by the pandemic. You mentioned Las Vegas and I spoke
with him about Florida. And let me tell you, just coming from
New York, of course, they are an enormous tourist industry and
so many jobs lost and so much economic hardship. Very
enthusiastic about joining you all in efforts to bring that
industry back as we recover from the pandemic.
Senator Rosen. I hope that there will be a lot of good
bipartisan support because every state from the tip of Maine
down to San Diego, up to Washington and back to Florida,
everywhere in between, everyone has some form or fashion of
tourism that their economies depend on, and we have to work
hard on that. And working on that, thinking more for the
future, we have an emerging transportation technology where
Nevada is proud to be on the cutting edge of innovation,
transportation technologies. We have hosted the only statewide
FAA authorized drone test site. We participate in several
autonomous vehicle and smart transportation pilot projects, and
we are home to the Hyperloop One testbed.
And so I can take these answers off the record. I see my
time has expired. But I want to know how you can continue to
help us encourage creativity and innovation in our
transportation sector, like the Hyper-One Loop, like our drone
programs, autonomous vehicles of vehicles, and who knows what
is in our future. So we want to do that, and we want to see
it--be sure that we attract underrepresented groups to
participate in this type of innovation as well. And I will take
my questions off the record for that. So thank you for being
here today.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Rosen. Thank you so much.
Senator Blackburn.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARSHA BLACKBURN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TENNESSEE
Senator Blackburn. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. And Ms.
Trottenberg, thank you for your time on the phone this week. I
want to tag right on to what Senator Rosen was saying about the
drones and the domestic drone industry, because we are all very
concerned about what is happening in China, what is happening
with the standard setting as China is trying to really try to
push with the setting of the standards. And recently we have
had issues with the DJI.
And I am certain that you are aware of the issues that have
existed there. DJI present some serious cybersecurity risk
because of their relationship with the Chinese Communist Party.
So I would like to hear you elaborate just a little bit on
this. Will you take steps, if you are confirmed, will you take
steps to support the emerging domestic drone industry? And how
will you guard against the influence from companies like DJI
that have been closely linked with the communist Chinese?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator, for that question. And
you know, look, I certainly know the drone industry growing has
a lot of economic promise and familiar with some of the
security issues that have been emerging and obviously want to
make sure as we grow that industry here domestically that we
are taking into account foreign competition and security
issues. If confirmed, that is certainly an area, if I get to
the Department, I want to dig into very quickly and really
would welcome the opportunity to work with you on that.
Senator Blackburn. And I think it is important to note for
the record that the nature with which the Biden Administration
has approached China, the friendliness, the hesitancy to hold
them to account, is something that as we talk about drones and
surveillance and cybersecurity risk, this is something that is
bringing forward some questions.
So we would want to continue conversations on that. You and
I discussed motorcoaches. And for the record, I would like for
you to just comment on that, making certain that the program
that we discussed with the--with DOT and Treasury administering
the funding for the motorcoaches, that you are going to
remember that there are private motorcoaches that are--they
have an impact on our tourism, on our entertainment, and they
need to make certain that funding who gets to those private
motorcoaches.
And likewise, let me also highlight with you the motor
carrier liability insurance issues. And we want to make certain
that DOT will not circumvent Congress and mandate an increase
through the regulatory process when it comes to the liability
insurance for motorcoaches.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for those questions. And as we
discussed Senator, I share your sense of urgency about the
motor coach industry and if confirmed, really do want to work
closely with Treasury and get those dollars out the door. That
has been a very crucial industry. I know it has been in
Nashville and parts of your state, up in New York as well, and
all over the country. An important part of the--of the tourist
industry and really suffering since the pandemic.
As we discussed, they have seen their ridership plummet
down to almost nothing. Certainly commit to work on that. And
on the insurance issue, when I--if confirmed, need to get
myself up to speed on and certainly would come back to you with
what the Department is thinking on that front.
Senator Blackburn. Yes, because they are--yes, let's
continue the conversation on that and because we are concerned
with those rates and we can discuss that further. Regulatory
reforms is also something we touched on in our phone call and
the importance of infrastructure, especially in our rural
areas, and making certain that regulation is moved to a point
that it can be more effective and more efficient for our local
communities.
Ms. Trottenberg. I mean, certainly one thing we have talked
about at this hearing is having been a local official myself,
admittedly of a big locality, really experiencing firsthand the
challenge that you can have in dealing with through the
regulatory burdens from the Federal level. And I know for
smaller communities and rural communities, that can be
especially challenging.
It is an area that I certainly think we can do more to help
local communities, and something, if confirmed, I really want
to work on. I don't want excessive regulatory burdens to stand
in the way of good projects. But of course, I always want to
make sure we are prioritizing safety considerations and
environmental considerations.
Senator Blackburn. Thank you. Yield back.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Blackburn. Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Well, thank you, Madam Chair. And Ms.
Trottenberg, it is wonderful to see you. Thank you for being
here with us and congratulations on your nomination. And
certainly want to thank you for your years of public service
and your willingness to serve again in this capacity. It is
certainly commendable. I want to start first by just thanking
you. It is always a good way to start some questions, but I
want to thank you for your commitment to me, and I know you
made the commitment to Senator Thune as well, to work with us
on legislation to provide a framework so that we can safely
test and deploy autonomous vehicles.
It is something Senator Thune and I have been working on in
a bipartisan way, bringing folks together. Clearly to get that
legislation through, which is essential, which I will mention
and talk about in a moment, will require bipartisanship. And I
am certainly grateful for the Administration's commitment and,
if confirmed, your commitment to get that done. As we spoke
earlier about this issue, and we agree that this is incredibly
important technology from a safety perspective, given the fact
that on our highways, unfortunately, we still lose close to
40,000 people a year, we can do better. We know there are
technologies that can provide solutions to that significant
challenge.
An autonomous vehicles is a way to get there. And so the
quicker we can develop the technology, literally, the quicker
we develop that technology, the more lives that are saved,
which I know has been a commitment of yours throughout your
career, but also from a competitive advantage. This represents
the future of mobility, which means the future of the auto
industry. And this technology is moving forward aggressively
all over the world. If we are not the ones developing it here
in the United States, I am confident we will see either Asian
companies and economies or Europeans or others develop this
technology, and we want to make sure it is made here.
I have always had a commitment to American workers
representing the great State of Michigan, and we want to make
sure that technology is developed in the United States and
American workers are building these vehicles and making sure
the future of mobility rests with the technology that we have
here in this country. But I have just a question for you, and
this goes back in a different role prior to you sitting here
and other positions that you have had. We worked together on
Federal legislation related to AVs that we were working on at
the time that would enable more of these AVs to be deployed and
tested, but also understanding we wanted to protect the rights
of cities, the City of New York City where you were
representing at the time.
And we did with the notion that we wanted to make sure that
cities wouldn't have to rely entirely on the regulatory piece
of NHTSA or just the will of a State legislature or a Governor,
but that they would be at the table to be able to make sure
that they had a constructive role to play.
So my question to you is, I would just like to set the
record straight for my colleagues, and may I have your
acknowledgment that my office and this committee were
responsive to your concerns on behalf of the City of New York,
and we, in fact, did reach an agreement through those
conversations?
Ms. Trottenberg. We did, Senator. And I think we had a good
back and forth. And I thank you for acknowledging it. In my
role as representing New York City and speaking for some of the
cities around the country, I think the cities feel like we can
bring something to the table in developing AV technology.
You know, local city transportation officials, we have a
really good feeling for what is happening on our streets. And
so we did want a seat at the table, but I think because we can
add value to the process. And thank you, I think we did reach,
you know, a good understanding of language that would work for
us.
Senator Peters. Right. And obviously, as we move forward
with this legislation, we have to continue to build those kinds
of coalitions to get everybody on board, particularly because
of the importance of both from a safety perspective and our
competitiveness, and the idea that these autonomous vehicles
really represent the future of artificial intelligence and AI
has a reach much broader than the auto industry and is critical
importance for us in the country.
Just briefly, in my remaining time, in order to drive that
technology forward, plus other safety technologies, we need to
have connected infrastructure so that vehicles are
communicating with each other, infrastructures communicating
with it. The last Administration, unfortunately, designated the
lower 45 megahertz of the 5.9 spectrum, which was previously
reserved for transportation, reserved for these types of
applications to make vehicles safer, and they reallocated it to
unlicensed use. And they went on to solicit comment to allocate
even more of the spectrum.
And I will be clear, this is a spectrum that can save
people's lives. It is a safety feature versus perhaps allowing
folks to download a movie quicker. I think in that kind of
tradeoff, I would rather save lives and hope that the Biden
Administration will continue to move in that direction, which I
believe they will. And certainly I think the signal that was
sent by then FCC Chairman Pai was inconsistent with where
President Biden is and his commitment to build back better.
So my question to you is, will you commit to working with
the FCC to identify a path forward for spectrum within the 5.9
band that protects transportation safety? It is absolutely
critical we do that. Will you commit to work with me on that?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will, Senator. And if confirmed, that
has traditionally been an important area for the Deputy
Secretary of the Department to show leadership and focus
exactly on, you say, on those spectrum questions and making
sure that we can use those new safety technologies. Incredibly
important in the transportation sector.
Senator Peters. Well, thank you.
The Chair. Senator Sullivan. Do we have Senator Sullivan? I
just want to make sure that we have other members who know that
they can ask questions or not. So, Senator Warnock. Oh, great.
Senator Sullivan. Thank you. Or we will give him a second if he
needs to get situated here.
STATEMENT OF HON. DAN SULLIVAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ALASKA
Senator Sullivan. Madam Chair?
The Chair. Yes. Senator Sullivan.
Senator Sullivan. Yes, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair,
and Ms. Trottenberg, congratulations on your nomination. I
think we are going to meet later today so I look forward to
that. One thing that I always ask nominees, if confirmed, if
you can get up to Alaska soon with me, with Senator Murkowski,
Congressman Young, it is a very unique place. Have you ever
been to Alaska? And the challenges that we have in my state are
a little different than New York City, so it is good to get on
the ground and see it.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator. I have not actually
had the pleasure of going to Alaska and certainly would welcome
the chance to do so as soon as possible.
Senator Sullivan. Good. Well, we have a huge list of unique
challenges, one of which is, I always like to say we are a
resource rich but infrastructure poor state. We have less roads
than Rhode Island, paved roads, and we're 491 times the size of
Rhode Island. I am sure we have a lot less roads in New York
and yet we are, I don't know how much bigger but several times
bigger than New York. So one of the challenges that we have
with regard to building out infrastructure is permitting.
And there was some executive orders that the Trump
Administration put forward, one of which was a single Federal
decisionmaking order. I think it was very welcomed by both
Democrats and Republicans, because what it did, it didn't focus
on cutting corners, it focused on streamlining, permitting for
major infrastructure projects. You know, a lot of talk about
big infrastructure. I think a lot of us certainly support that,
but we have had situations in my state where it takes years,
sometimes decades, to permit infrastructure projects.
The Chair of this Committee, there was a, she might recall,
there was a witness who testified a couple of years ago about
the expansion of a new runway at SeaTac Airport. When I asked
them how long it took to get the permits for that, mostly
Federal permits, he said 15 years. 15 years, SeaTac expansion,
runways. Can you give me a sense of your views on how we can
address this? This is--we had a gold mine in Alaska, 20 years
to permit. I mean, this is crazy. It is one of the reasons we
are losing--you know, we have challenges addressing our
economic competition with China. What is your view on the
streamlining and permitting, not cutting corners, but to make
it so we can build infrastructure with--in a timely manner?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thanks for that question, Senator, and I
share your desire to do better on that front. And again, having
been a local transportation official for a number of years and
being responsible for delivering big projects, I know well the
challenges of dealing with the Federal permitting process. And
I think we can have a system, as you say, that doesn't cut
corners, that doesn't skimp on considering environmental
issues, that doesn't skimp on community participation and
input, but that can be faster and more streamlined. And part of
that, this is actually something we did start in the Obama
Administration.
And I agree that the previous administration, the Trump
Administration also did work on this at the Federal level,
making that process streamlined, accountable, so that you know
where your project stands, which agency is looking at what and
having, I think, sort of an ultimate point of contact to help
get those projects over the finish line. It is an area I
certainly think there is a lot more work to be done. A lot of
ways we can do things better, and as you say, not cut corners
in the process.
Senator Sullivan. No, not cut corners. Do you agree with
the idea of having a single, kind of, point-of-contact within
the Federal Government? Look, I actually think it is positive
coming from sometimes the State officials, city officials like
New York City. You see the dysfunction at the Federal level on
permitting. So what about this idea of like a single point of
contact in terms of Federal permitting for big projects?
Ms. Trottenberg. I think that would certainly be the ideal.
And I know there are other countries, Canada comes to mind,
where I think they are able to do more of that. I think
something we need to work with you all on part of the
complexities of the Federal permitting process is, you know,
statutorily there are a variety of Federal, as you know
Senator, there are a variety of different Federal agencies
involved that have their own statutory mandates. But I
certainly agree with you. I think this is an area where
certainly local and State transportation officials all over the
country would welcome the chance to try and make this process
work better.
Senator Sullivan. I want to talk to you really quickly
about your oversight on aviation. A couple of things. This
committee has had bipartisan support for essential air service.
Can I get your commitment to continue to fund that important
program, particularly for rural communities?
Ms. Trottenberg. You have a commitment. I know the Biden
Administration feels strongly that we want to make sure we keep
that program robust.
Senator Sullivan. And the FAA has been up to my state a
number of times. We are again--over 82 percent of the
communities in Alaska are not connected by roads. So you either
have to get there by a river or a snow machine in the winter or
aviation. And that is why essential air service is so critical.
But the other thing, we lack the infrastructure in many of our
airports that the vast majority of the communities in the lower
48 would be shocked by.
And for that reason, we have had--we typically have much
higher accident rates than the rest of the country. Can I get
your commitment to work with me and the FAA on bolstering the
infrastructure and the safety that occurs in Alaska as it
relates to aviation in a way that is on par with what the lower
48 expects and gets and yet we don't have in my state?
Ms. Trottenberg. You have my commitment on that, Senator.
And I know you mentioned that at the Secretary's hearing and
was very troubling to hear, you know, the safety challenges you
have in the Alaska aviation sector. Certainly want to help work
with you on that if confirmed.
Senator Sullivan. Great, thank you. Thank you, Madam Chair,
and I am going to submit some more questions for the record.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Sullivan. Senator Warnock.
STATEMENT OF HON. RAPHAEL WARNOCK,
U.S. SENATOR FROM GEORGIA
Senator Warnock. Thank you, Madam Chair. Ms. Trottenberg,
according to the Environmental Protection Agency, the
transportation sector generated about 28 percent of the
greenhouse gases produced in 2018 and about 60 percent of that,
those emissions were produced by family cars, SUVs, pickup
trucks. Of course, President Biden has made a serious
commitment to greening our transportation infrastructure as a
top priority to meet his climate goals. That would include
billions of dollars in Federal investments for a new generation
of low carbon trucking, shipping, and aviation.
And it also includes investments in clean electric vehicle
charging infrastructure. Can you talk, Ms. Trottenberg, about
the importance of that last piece and how you see it as a part
of the larger climate goal? That is, the clean electric vehicle
charging infrastructure, meeting the Administration's goals and
what is needed to meet those goals?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator, for that question. And
I think the President has had some big, bold goals on charging
infrastructure, wanting to--he spoke about in his build back
better plan, putting 500,000 new charging stations around the
country. And doing those, I think, in all parts of the country.
I have had experience with starting to put that electric
charging infrastructure in at the local level in New York City.
But also there is a lot we can do on our highway system
throughout the country. I think it is an area where, you know,
we can make the kind of investments that, as you say, will help
make the transportation sector so much greener, reduce the
carbon footprint, also produce new technologies and new
investments in an area. I am very excited, if confirmed, to
work with this committee on.
Senator Warnock. Well, thank you so much. And related to
that, we have a massive $2.6 billion electric vehicle battery
plant that is under construction right now in Commerce,
Georgia. This plant would produce car batteries to help
accomplish President Biden's goals in increasing electric
vehicles to fight carbon emissions and climate change. The cost
of the plant again, $2.6 billion. It will produce or provide
2,600 clean energy jobs in the short term, ultimately up to
10,000 new clean energy jobs in Georgia.
But an adverse ruling by the International Trade Commission
threatens seriously the future of that project, whether it will
happen at all. This would be one of the largest economic
investment projects on this score in Georgia's history and a
severe punch in the gut, if you will, for the folks who are
counting on those jobs, not to mention President Biden's own
goals. Can you--by law, President Biden has 60 days to review
the ruling and could alter it or block it.
If confirmed, will you ensure that the Department of
Transportation will provide to President Biden an analysis of
this ruling's effect on his green transportation goals as he
makes the decision?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will certainly commit to that Senator.
And I know the Department is already aware of the issue with
this plant and I think is starting to look into the issues.
Senator Warnock. Thank you so much. This will be absolutely
critical for the people of Georgia that we would lose 2,600
clean energy jobs in the short term and 10,000 in the long
term. It is difficult to overstate the importance of that, but
also the facilitation of President Biden's own clean
transportation goals. So thank you so much for that commitment
and I look forward to working with you to come to a resolution.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Warnock. Senator Young.
STATEMENT OF HON. TODD YOUNG,
U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA
Senator Young. Thank you, Chairman. Ms. Trottenberg,
President Biden recently issued an executive order on America's
supply chains and called on the leadership of various agencies,
including the Department of Transportation, to take action to
further the Administration's goal of strengthening the
resilience of America's supply chains. As you know, a strong
domestic supply chain is essential for a competitive national
economy, and the efficiency of the domestic supply chain is
contingent upon the efficiency of our transportation networks.
Given that more than 80 percent of U.S. communities rely
exclusively on trucks for their freight transportation needs,
Ms. Trottenberg, I am concerned about the trucking industry's
growing driver shortage and its impact on the resiliency of our
domestic supply chain. If confirmed, Ms. Trottenberg, will you
commit to working with me to bolster the trucking workforce and
stem the driver shortage to ensure that the trucking industry
can continue to drive our domestic supply chain?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will, Senator. Thanks for the question
and couldn't agree with you more. I am actually coming from a
city where we get over 90 percent of our goods via truck and
certainly recognize what an absolutely crucial industry that
is. We will work with you on the issues of not only drivers,
but also retention. I know one of the challenges in the
trucking industry now is drivers come in and get trained and it
is often hard to retain them in the industry. So if confirmed,
an area I had certainly like to work with you on.
Senator Young. Fantastic. Well, I will just mention some
legislation that Senator Tester and I have been working on for
a period of time, it is the Drive Safe Act, and I would just
flag that for your attention. And I think we provided what
could be a very helpful piece of the overall solution there. In
your testimony, Ms. Trottenberg, you also discussed the need to
ensure our transportation system equitably serves all
Americans.
In my home state of Indiana, like many states represented
on the Committee, out rural communities tend to find themselves
at a competitive disadvantage in securing Federal support for
infrastructure projects. Yet many of these same rural
communities serve as vital transportation and manufacturing
hubs that drive our Nation's economy. So everyone benefits from
investment in these communities and their infrastructure. So,
Ms. Trottenberg, what steps can the Department of
Transportation take to leverage Federal dollars in more of our
rural communities?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. And
Senator, I will start, you know, for example, with both our
discretionary grant programs and credit programs. I know that,
you know, one of the challenges rural communities face and
smaller communities face, it can be pretty daunting to compete
and apply for those programs. And I know something we tried to
do in the Obama Administration, I know the Trump Administration
as well, is to make sure that the Department is available and
accessible to help those smaller communities.
I know the Trump Administration has created a whole toolkit
for their youth to make sure that we sort of demystify the
process of getting Federal dollars, of being on the ground to
provide technical assistance before communities apply for those
funds so that they can understand, you know, what the
challenges are and the pitfalls and what the Department is
looking for. And then, you know, if they compete and don't win
in a particular round, that the team is there to debrief them
and help them figure out how to do better.
So that is important for rural communities. I also know
that that can be an issue for tribal Governments as well. And
we want to make sure if Congress is providing the Department
with these dollars, that we are making sure that those dollars
are getting to communities large and small.
Senator Young. I am really encouraged to hear that.
Consider me a partner of the Administration's to the extent you
are working on optimizing the application for these programs
and helping communities reapply perhaps for a grant or loans
that they didn't originally receive. Last, Ms. Trottenberg, I
would like to pivot to what I will call red tape. We need to
ensure our taxpayer dollars are used efficiently. It is
important that the Department of Transportation focuses on the
regulatory red tape that delays projects and raises costs.
As we look to boost our economy and improve our
infrastructure, we need to ensure that Federal Departments and
agencies modernize their rulemaking process. How will you
reevaluate DOT's rulemaking process to ensure that red tape
doesn't create undue administrative delay or raise costs?
Ms. Trottenberg. Thanks for that question, Senator. And I
know your colleague--the Secretary spoke about this issue at
his confirmation hearing and promised to take a fresh eye in
looking at the regulatory process. And I will agree, I
certainly know from my time at U.S. DOT, it is a process that
has grown up under many decades. And look, it is important for
the Department to use that process to achieve its important
priorities, particularly safety and consumer protection and
environmental protection. But I also agree that it is a very
complex process.
And again, speaking as a local official, when you are
trying to navigate your way through that regulatory system, it
can be very challenging. I think there are ways we can--we have
had this discussion with your colleague, Senator Sullivan,
where we cannot cut corners, but we can find ways to make that
an easier and a more modern process. I think there are
certainly some things we can do to modernize it. And if
confirmed, it is certainly an area I intend to focus on.
Senator Young. I look forward to working with you on that.
Congrats on your nomination.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you so much, Senator.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Young. Senator Hickenlooper.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN HICKENLOOPER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM COLORADO
Senator Hickenlooper. Thank you so much, Madam Chair. And
Ms. Trottenberg, I appreciate your public service in the past
and going forward. I wanted to bring up and ask you to kind of
illuminate, because I do remember when we were--you know,
Colorado is not a coastal state. Oftentimes in the past, we
were, you know, we were not the highest priority for the
Department of Transportation in many cases.
And when we did our, not just our large project, fast
tracks in Denver, but actually across the state while I was
Governor, I thought it was remarkable the way DOT was to
address a lot of what Senator Young just referred to it, making
sure that the smaller communities in non-coastal states got the
attention they deserved. And I thought you would particularly
put a lot of effort into that. I want to make sure that you got
a chance to talk about that for a moment.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator. And it is something I
really believe in. I mean, I do believe the Federal Government
is there to serve all communities and recognize, particularly
for smaller communities, it can be very daunting to interact
with a big Federal agency. I would just say for the record,
even coming from running a transportation agency in a big city,
it can even be daunting for the big cities as well. So I think
that is something any community large or small across this
country has faced those challenges.
I really do think, I know it is something that the
President feels deeply, and I believe the Secretary does too,
as he does come from a small city, not a rural community, but a
small city. How can we be common sense and make sure that when
communities come to us, we are helping them achieve their
priorities? And I like to think of myself as someone who is
there to be a problem solver. Certainly, that is how I viewed
my role often in New York, where, you know, big projects don't
happen without a lot of just practical problem solving.
Senator Hickenlooper. Well, as someone who has done a lot
of big projects with the Department of Transportation, you are
exactly right. Problem solving is what is needed more often
than anything else. And again, I thought while you were there,
you did a remarkable job of hearing all sides of a disagreement
and making sure that the problems that were brought to light
got solved quickly, efficiently, and fairly. I want to ask you
a moment about DBEs, disadvantaged business enterprises.
And I know that this has been a focus when President Biden
was campaigning, how do we make sure some of these large FAA
contracts and other DOT contracts get out there in a way that
does help those small business and historically women owned,
minority owned businesses. Are you--something you are going to
be willing to make a strong commitment behind?
Ms. Trottenberg. Absolutely. And I am excited to say, and I
know you have heard it from the from the Secretary and
certainly the President himself, what an important focus of
priority this is as we spend Federal dollars that making sure
that those businesses, which traditionally have not benefited
as they should from those Federal investments, have the
opportunity to compete.
And I am happy to say I know, not confirmed yet, but I know
at the Department they have really been building up and
standing up a very robust civil rights division that is going
to have a big focus on this. And certainly it is an area that I
intend to focus on, if confirmed. So important that we give
those businesses an opportunity to compete, and we and we share
the wealth of these Federal investments.
Senator Hickenlooper. Right, absolutely. In Colorado, we
have a strong commercial and aerospace industry and are looking
eagerly forward to commercial space flights. And I know that
you have spoken on this a number of times and the President
spoke on it as well.
Are you comfortable, and I know there is a lot of work to
be done, that we can make sure the FAA does sufficient
streamlining so that our commercial space, private sector
businesses can compete globally because it is going to be a
global effort and it is going to push the Department of
Transportation in ways that I think, well, in many ways it
hasn't been pushed before?
Ms. Trottenberg. Yes, thanks for that question. I think
that is right. Look, it is obviously now a new sector that has
tremendous economic promise. And I recognize it is exciting in
your state of Colorado and exciting in other places around the
country that we make sure we have U.S. leadership.
But, of course, I think from the Department's point of
view, safety of the airspace is going to be the top
consideration. I think this is something new for the FAA to be
working through, but certainly I know just you know, from my
conversations with officials, there is something that they are
excited about and that the Department is excited about as well,
and something I know we can work together on so that we can
have, you know, the exciting growth of this industry, but make
sure obviously we are doing in a way that makes sure that our
airspace is safe.
Senator Hickenlooper. Perfect. Just couldn't ask for better
said than that. One last question quickly because I am out of
time, I did want to just--I think autonomous vehicles have the
potential to make our highways dramatically safer. What do you
see as some of the largest obstacles that we are going to face
as we begin to evolve and move toward autonomous vehicles?
Ms. Trottenberg. Good question, Senator. What I have been
having here, discussion also with your colleagues, Senator
Peters and Senator Thune. I think we need to achieve some
consensus on what a national framework looks like that helps
provide some consistency in a testing and deployment regime. I
think we need to make sure, obviously, that safety is paramount
and that all the stakeholders have a seat at the table.
It is going to be, you know, if done well, I do think
revolutionary in terms of safety and in job creation and
creating a whole new industry. And Senator Peters spoke so
eloquently about what that would mean in his state. But
clearly, we have a Federal role in bringing the parties
together and trying to have, you know, some universal
regulatory schemes around it. And we have all the right
stakeholders at the table.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Hickenlooper. Senator Lummis.
STATEMENT OF HON. CYNTHIA LUMMIS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WYOMING
Senator Lummis. Thank you, Madam Chair. I am so pleased to
have the opportunity to visit with you, Ms. Trottenberg. I
looked at your record and it is obvious that you have extensive
experience in urban transportation matters. But I represent a
rural state, Wyoming, and our transportation needs are vastly
different from those of the Northeast. So what experiences have
you had dealing with rural transportation issues?
Ms. Trottenberg. Senator, thank you for the question. And,
you know, prior to my time at New York City DOT, I was for 5
years an official at U.S. DOT and got involved in
transportation projects all around the country, large and
small, including some in the beautiful state of Wyoming, and
also spent many years here on Capitol Hill and was involved in
several of the transportation bills that really tried to bring
together, I think, the interests of all parts of the country,
cities, rural areas, small towns.
I have had a lot of experience working on the surface
transportation, roadway side issues all over the country, as
well as aviation issues, which you have issues at large
airports, but I know also very important issues in terms of
making sure that you have robust rural service as well.
Senator Lummis. Well, thank you. I am going to follow on
that line of discussion because highways, surface
transportation is the most important transportation opportunity
in corridors in Wyoming. Roughly, I think 93 percent of those
funds is distributed by the current highway funding formula. I
will tell you that my state of Wyoming generally is very
pleased with the current highway funding formula.
It provides adequate flexibility within various categories
for them to plan 5 years down the road and then some, as you
know, is necessary. So my question is, do you believe the
current highway funding formula provides the kind of parity
between urban and rural areas that is ideal or at least can be
retained by the incoming Administration at DOT?
Ms. Trottenberg. I certainly think, Senator, the surface
transportation program has over the years served the country
well. I think it has been a compromise in terms of urban and
rural, highways and transit. I know the Biden Administration is
and I am not--I haven't been confirmed, but I know they are
starting to look at what their priorities will be for
reauthorization.
I certainly know that the President and the Secretary want
to make sure that when we are investing in surface
transportation, that we are doing it in a way that serves all
parts of the country and that there will be a focus on rural
areas.
Senator Lummis. Well, we will want to continue to work with
you as those discussions emerge, and I also want to visit just
briefly about the other 7 percent that is not distributed by
the funding formula and that is the discretionary grant
programs. Will you commit to review the discretionary grant
programs to ensure that urban and rural areas have the
opportunity to participate in parity within the eligible
criteria?
Ms. Trottenberg. I will, Senator. And one thing I was just
speaking to your colleagues about, also making sure that the
Department is being as helpful as it can be to communities
large and small, urban and rural, tribal Governments as well,
to help compete for those programs. That you can get the
technical assistance that you need ahead of time to understand
the requirements and the pitfalls.
And to the extent that you have an application that isn't
successful, that the Department works with you afterwards to
understand what you could do better to help a given community
or transportation agency compete successfully.
Senator Lummis. That sounds great. Thank you. One last
question, what efforts is DOT taking to identify the reasons
behind cost increases and project overruns, and then to
mitigate those costs and those issues?
Ms. Trottenberg. I mean, it is something I think the
Secretary spoke about. And I will echo his words and add my
own. You know, he made a point of saying, you know, the
Administration, and shared with Congress, has a lot of
important transportation goals. But we also do have to make
sure that we are doing things as efficiently as we can.
And again, as someone who has run a local transportation
agency, you feel that pressure to deliver your projects on time
and on budget, and you are always looking for ways that you can
be smarter and more efficient. I think there is a lot we can do
in our transportation system to make those, you know, those
very vital transportation dollars go further. An area, if
confirmed, would certainly welcome the opportunity to work with
Members of Congress on.
Senator Lummis. And we with you, Ms. Trottenberg. I
supported the nomination of the Secretary and look forward to
working with him and with you going forward. So thank you very
much. Ms. Chair, I yield back.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Lummis. Next, we have Senator
Klobuchar.
STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Klobuchar. Well, thank you very much, Chairwoman
Cantwell. And thank you for your patience with this large
committee, Ms. Trottenberg. I am very excited, as I told you
when we talked, about your nomination. And I am just really
excited because of your experience that I think is going to be
so important. And we had a great hearing with Secretary
Buttigieg.
We think he is going to be a wonderful Secretary. So
congratulations. I just wanted to start out with the poor
conditions of our roads in Minnesota. No surprise. There is a
lot of roads. We are home to a major rural area, and we are
also home to many, many major companies. So we do a lot of
freight transport as well as rail transport, as well as
actually a barge transport.
And could you talk about some of your ideas to reduce
congestion on our roads? I think we have seen that right now
during the pandemic, obviously, a little less use of those
roads, but overall costs drivers nearly $1,600 a year and
highway congestion adds nearly $75 billion each year to the
cost of freight transport.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you for that question, Senator. And
you are right, certainly during the pandemic we saw in New York
and all around the country congestion plummet. But I would say
in a lot of places, driving levels are pretty much back to
where they were. You know, public transit ridership, not so
much, but people have gone back to the roadways. And obviously,
you know, it has particularly become important during the
pandemic to make sure that our freight networks can deliver
goods. We have been so dependent on them during this
challenging time. I think I am going to say for improving the
movement of goods and tackling congestion, it is not a one-
size-fits-all challenge.
I think we are going to need a lot of different solutions.
We have been talking today in the Committee about some of the
things we have done in New York. I certainly know looking at
Chair Cantwell, a piece of that puzzle is going to be robust
investments in mass transit as a way to give people
alternatives to driving and making sure that our roadway
infrastructure is in good condition. You know, I think we
certainly saw in New York some chunk of what we see in terms of
congestion is incidents happening on the roadway. Unexpected
incidents can often be----
Senator Klobuchar. And also--sorry, not to interrupt here,
but I guess I did. The other piece of this in addition to light
rail and that kind of transit, I think one of the things that
is very important is rapid buses for the suburbs in Minnesota.
We have developed a major rapid bus network. Could you comment
on that?
Ms. Trottenberg. I certainly will. It is something we also
did some work on in New York. It is, I think, a terrific way to
invest in mass transit. It can be done a lot more nimbly and
at, you know, a lot less of a cost than building a whole light
rail line or subway line. And it is proving, I think, a very
effective way to move people around. And as we move into an era
of using electric buses, it is going to be a very green way to
move people around as well.
Senator Klobuchar. One of the things that I am very focused
on is distracted driving. Could you talk about that? I know
Secretary LaHood thinks a lot about you. He was such a leader
on this issue, and I hope you will be too.
Ms. Trottenberg. I will be, yes. I had the privilege of
serving under Secretary LaHood and he made that a big focus in
the Department. And I think an area where we really raised
public awareness. And, you know, through his--through his
efforts and his bully pulpit, I think did a lot to help bring
some, you know, some awareness of that issue and make our
roadways safer. I am very committed to the cause of roadway
safety. And, you know, I want to continue those efforts on
distracted driving, on impaired driving, and a lot of other
areas of roadway safety.
Senator Klobuchar. Here is something I am not certain we
discussed when we talked, but our reports have found that one
in six vehicles used to transport Uber and Lyft passengers has
at least one open recall, and neither app alerts passengers
that this is the case.
Last week, I introduced the Safe Ride Act to require the
GAO in working with NHTSA to conduct a comprehensive study on
the Uber and Lyft vehicles with open safety recalls and reports
on ways to make recall notices more effective. How can you move
quickly on this issue?
Ms. Trottenberg. I am sorry, Senator. You cut out your
little--.
The Chair. I think she wants to know whether you would work
with her on the recall issues?
Ms. Trottenberg. Yes. Thank you, Senator. No, I was
interested when you brought that issue to my attention. Happy
to, if confirmed, dig in on that one and work with you.
Senator Klobuchar. OK, very good. Well, again,
congratulations. I have some aviation questions that I will put
on the record, especially with some of our rural airports. And
we talked about all the important projects in Minnesota,
including the port up in Duluth to our roads in the rural
areas, to all [technical problems] that is going on in the Twin
Cities. So thank you very much for your service and I look
forward to working with you.
Ms. Trottenberg. Thank you, Senator.
The Chair. Thank you, Senator Klobuchar. That is all the
members that we have--that we believe want to ask questions. If
anybody else knows of anything, anybody else who is there
remotely that we don't know about, let us know. But otherwise,
again, congratulations on your nomination. Thank you for your
willingness to serve. Thank your family for the willingness to
help make sacrifices so she can help with our transportation
infrastructure.
As you can see from the broad questioning that people have
today, that it is a little bit of what we went with Secretary
Buttigieg that here and now of COVID and the tomorrow of
automating our system with more technology and obviously with
other new investments that are going to help us and reducing
fossil fuels. So you got the gamut. So, busy job. We so
appreciate your willingness to do it.
The hearing will remain open for two weeks until March 17,
2021. Any Senators who would like to submit questions for the
record, please do so for Ms. Trottenberg by March 10. And then
we ask your responses to be in to the Committee by March 17.
So, if we have no other members who would like to ask a
question, that concludes our hearing for today.
[Whereupon, at 12:11 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Multimodal Freight Investment. In 2018, the Nation's transportation
system moved about $51.8 billion each day. By the end of the decade the
value of freight transported is expected to increase by 40 percent to
over $70 billion shipped each day. Multimodal freight accounts for 22
percent of the $645 billion in goods transported through Washington
state. However, Federal freight funding programs put a 10 percent cap
on multimodal funding.
Question 1. Do you think that the multimodal cap on the
Infrastructure for Rebuilding America (INFRA) grant program and the
National Highway Freight formula program should be eliminated so that
the most economically significant freight projects can be funded
regardless of mode?
Answer. I believe the Department plays an important role in
ensuring the U.S. has a freight transportation system which supports
job creation, economic growth and global competitiveness, using all the
Department's authorities, including discretionary grant programs like
INFRA. I commit to working with Congress to support a multimodal
freight program that achieves National economic and sustainability
goals.
Question 2. Many freight stakeholders find the U.S. Department of
Transportation's (DOT) siloed approach to freight policy to be
frustrating. Without a specific office or element within DOT focused on
freight, it has taken DOT far too long to enact freight-related
provisions from the FAST Act--particularly establishment of the
national multimodal network which is still outstanding. Would a
multimodal freight office within the Office of the Secretary make
national freight planning more effective and coordinated across the
Department and ensure that freight activities receive the attention
they need?
Answer. With regard to freight policy within the Department, my
understanding is that there is already considerable collaboration and
coordination of freight-related policy and program activities among the
Office of the Secretary and the modal administrations. If confirmed, I
will assess this level of collaboration and coordination and commit to
working with Congress to ensure that the Department takes a holistic
and multimodal approach to strengthening our Nation's freight system as
we support the President's vision for a strong economy.
Amtrak Long-Distance Routes. The Trump Administration repeatedly
proposed cuts to Amtrak's long-distance routes. This transportation
network provides essential transportation services to many rural
Americans that have few other public transportation options.
Additionally, the Federal investment in the long-distance routes has a
significant economic impact. According to the Rail Passengers
Association, the long-distance Empire Builder route, which runs from
Chicago to Seattle and Portland, contributes $327 million to the
economies of the states it serves.
Question 3. Will you commit to working to protect the viability of
Amtrak's long-distance routes?
Answer. In recent years, Amtrak had made impressive progress in
improving its fiscal and operational health and in providing stable
daily service on its long-distance routes, which serve as vital
lifelines in so many rural communities across the U.S. Unfortunately,
Amtrak has been hard hit by COVID-19, and if confirmed, I look forward
to working with Congress to establish predictable, dedicated funding
sources for Amtrak maintenance and expansion. I also commit to working
with Secretary Buttigieg to help Amtrak return to financial stability
and pre-pandemic service levels throughout the country.
Question 4. Will you work with Amtrak and the freight railroads to
ensure that Amtrak trains on the national network run reliably and
improve on-time performance?
Answer. I am committed to improving passenger rail and, if
confirmed, look forward to working with you and your colleagues on this
Committee to establish increased passenger rail service that runs
reliably and on-time. It is very important to find the optimal and most
efficient balance between moving people and freight around the country.
I believe DOT plays a role working with safety and other stakeholders
in determining that balance.
Texas Pipelines. The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) faces a number of statutory limitations on its
regulatory authority. However, the recent freezing of the natural gas
infrastructure in Texas raises concerns about the lack of regulation
over infrastructure that people rely on for basic necessities, such as
heat during the winter.
Question 5. If confirmed, will you review PHMSA's statutory
authorities and provide any suggestions for improving PHMSA's authority
over the reliable and safe operation of natural gas pipelines.
Answer. If confirmed, I will certainly review PHMSA's statutory
authorities and work with the Administration and Congress to offer
suggestions for improving PHMSA's authority over the reliable and safe
operation of natural gas pipelines.
Passenger Rail Safety. Ensuring passenger rail safety must be a top
priority of the Department of Transportation. In 2017, Amtrak train 501
derailed in DuPont, WA, on the inaugural run of a new route when the
train went around a curve 50 miles per hour over the posted speed
limit. As a result of the derailment, three people died and over 60
people were injured. The National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB)
found several failures that contributed to the incident including poor
crew training, safety planning, and regulatory oversight.
Question 6. If confirmed, will you review the NTSB's report on the
DuPont derailment and work to ensure the Board's recommendations are
implemented by the Federal Railroad Administration (FRA) and Amtrak?
Answer. The work NTSB does to investigate incidents and crashes to
better understand what happened is an important means to advance
transportation safety. If confirmed, I commit to working with NTSB,
Amtrak, and the relevant program offices at the Department to address
outstanding recommendations.
Crude-by-Rail Safety. In December 2020, a mile-long train carrying
heavy crude oil derailed at a railroad crossing in Custer, WA. Ten tank
cars derailed and five cars caught fire resulting in the spillage of
30,000 gallons of oil despite using retrofitted DOT-117 tank cars. This
incident forced families half a mile away to evacuate for their own
safety. Thankfully, no one was injured, however it was a stark reminder
of the hazards posed by these trains.
Question 7. If the FRA's review of the Custer incident indicates
potential issues with the retrofitted DOT-117 tank cars, will you
commit to conducting a comprehensive review of tank car standards and
work with my office to identify improvements that may be needed to
ensure tank car safety when transporting hazardous materials?
Answer. My understanding is the Custer incident is still under
investigation. If confirmed, I look forward to studying the
investigation's findings once it has concluded. I share Secretary
Buttigieg's commitment that safety is a top priority at the Department.
I commit to working with the Secretary and the Committee to increase
the safety posture across DOT and the transportation system.
Question 8. Will you review current PHMSA regulations pertaining to
the safe transportation of light and heavy crude oil to help prevent
future dangerous incidents from occurring?
Answer. If confirmed, I will certainly review current PHMSA
regulations pertaining to the safe transportation of light and heavy
crude oil to help prevent future dangerous incidents from occurring.
Disadvantaged Business Enterprises. The Department of
Transportation's Disadvantaged Business Enterprise (DBE) program is
designed to ensure businesses owned and controlled by socially and
economically disadvantaged individuals have a fair opportunity to
compete for federally funded transportation contracts. Although the
program applies to transit and highway funds, the FRA does not
currently have specific statutory authority for a DBE program. Section
11310 of the FAST Act of 2015 required DOT to conduct a nationwide
disparity study on the availability and use of small business concerns
owned and controlled by socially and economically disadvantaged
individuals and veteran-owned small businesses in publicly funded
intercity rail passenger transportation projects. A report to Congress
on the study was due within two years.
Question 8. Based on your experience at the New York City
Department of Transportation, how can the DBE program be expanded and
improved?
Answer. The DBE program, which aims to increase participation of
women-and minority-owned businesses in federally funded transportation
projects, is an important tool for advancing economic opportunity and
wealth creation for small business owners. In my experience, there are
steps that can be taken to strengthen the DBE program at the Federal,
state and local levels. At DOT, we need to lead by example by expanding
opportunities for DBEs, tracking our progress, and proactively and
creatively addressing barriers to DBE participation where they arise.
DOT also needs to work closely with state and local recipients of
Federal transportation funds to ensure they are setting appropriate DBE
participation goals and ensure that DBEs can compete for those
projects. At NYCDOT, we worked proactively to identify potential DBEs,
worked with them to get certified, and helped them understand the
requirements for bidding on contracts with New York City, and to make
sure they were aware of upcoming contract solicitations. We also worked
closely with prime construction contractors to connect them to DBEs for
joint ventures and subcontracting opportunities.
Question 9. Will you commit to expeditiously completing the
disparity study required by the FAST Act and reporting your findings to
Congress?
Answer. Addressing racial inequity and fostering economic recovery
for all Americans is a priority of the Biden-Harris Administration. If
confirmed, I commit to expeditiously completing the disparity study
required by the FAST Act and reporting the findings to Congress.
Question 10. If you are confirmed, will you commit to meeting with
DBE companies and representatives to learn about barriers they face and
ideas they may have to improve the DBE program?
Answer. As mentioned above, supporting economic recovery,
especially by those hardest hit by the pandemic, such as small and
disadvantaged businesses, is a critical pillar of the Biden-Harris
Administration's Build Back Better vision. If confirmed, I will
certainly meet with DBE companies and representatives to learn about
and address barriers they face and ideas they may have to improve the
DBE program.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Amy Klobuchar to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Contract Tower Program. I have long supported continued investment
in the Federal Aviation Administration's contract tower program-which
provides critical air traffic control safety benefits to 256 smaller
airports across the country.
Question 1. What are your plans to help ensure that small rural
airports have the resources they need through this program?
Answer. In the near term, if confirmed, I will work to ensure
expedient administration of funds included in the American Rescue Plan
Act. As you know, this legislation included another much needed round
of funding for the Nation's airports. This funding will benefit large
airports and small rural airports, including those that operate
contract towers. Additionally, I understand the FAA is actively
processing funding payments under the Coronavirus Response and Relief
Supplemental Appropriation Act (P.L. 116-260), which included a set-
aside for non-primary airports that participate in the Federal Contract
Tower program. In the long term, I will work with Secretary Buttigieg
to pursue necessary funding for the Federal Contract Tower program as
well as funding for those programs that are critical to ensuring the
viability of small rural airports.
Question 2. What are your plans to improve the contract tower
program?
Answer. I look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg and the
FAA as well as Members of this Committee on this issue. I understand
there continues to be interest in ensuring the availability of
experienced controllers at Contract Towers and if confirmed, I will
work within the Department to ensure a continued commitment to the
program's funding and administration. I will work with Congress to
determine how best to address the challenges that may remain for the
program.
Aviation Safety. Aviation safety is a top priority for me. The Safe
Skies Act, which I introduced last Congress with Senators Cantwell,
Blumenthal, Markey, and Duckworth, would ensure that America's cargo
plane pilots have the same rest requirements as passenger pilots. I
plan to reintroduce this bill this Congress.
Question 3. What are your plans to help reduce fatigue-related
incidents for cargo pilots?
Answer. When it comes to air travel, the safety of our aviators,
crews and passengers is most important to me and to the Secretary. I
would expect DOT to require and uphold a high level of safety standards
for our aviators and crews whether they are flying cargo or passengers.
I look forward to further exploring the issue with this Committee and
the industry to maximize safe air travel for all participants.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Approach to Motor Vehicle Safety. In 2019, over 36,000 people were
killed in motor vehicle crashes. There were nearly 7 million police-
reported crashes and more than 2.7 million people were injured as well.
Tragically, similar numbers repeat year after year, revealing a public
health crisis in automotive and traffic safety. These deaths and
injuries are not inevitable, however, and they can be addressed using
proven strategies as well as the latest safety technologies.
That's why I introduced a robust legislative package in the last
Congress with four bills that will collectively address the threats of
seatback failure (S.4122), distracted driving (S.4123), ineffective
recalls (S.4121), and insufficient oversight of the auto industry
(S.4120). I am now fighting to ensure that these bills become law as
part of Congress's next big transportation legislation.
Question 1. As our next Deputy Secretary of Transportation, will
you support the inclusion of these four bills in a comprehensive
infrastructure package? In addition, what specific safety actions will
you recommend the DOT take that will result in significant and
sustained reductions in the fatality and injury toll on our streets and
highways?
Answer. I strongly support your commitment to advancing motor
vehicle safety and was proud to make Vision Zero one of my highest
priorities as Commissioner of the New York City Department of
Transportation. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the
Administration and this Committee on legislative efforts to make U.S.
roadways safer. We are losing far too many lives and seeing too many
life-changing injuries in preventable crashes. There are a number of
areas where DOT can advance roadway safety, through AV technology and
better vehicle designs that protect occupants as well as vulnerable
roadway users, improving driver behavior, and addressing vehicle
recalls with low completion rates. DOT can also work closely with state
and local transportation agencies to promote safer roadway designs and
use research, grants, data collections, performance standards, and
other activities to advance national roadway safety.
Approach to Truck Safety. Fatal truck crashes continue to occur at
an alarmingly high rate. In 2019, over 5,000 people were killed in
crashes involving a large truck. Since 2009, the number of fatalities
in large truck crashes has increased by 48 percent. Additionally,
159,000 people were injured in crashes involving a large truck in 2019
and injuries of large truck occupants increased by 18 percent.
Last fall, an investigation by the Boston Globe detailed these
disturbing trends and revealed how the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) has repeatedly failed to provide proper
oversight of American's commercial trucking industry. In response, I
wrote a letter to the FMCSA that urged the agency to implement stronger
procedures for certifying new trucking companies, conducting regular
oversight of the industry, and enforcing Federal safety regulations.
Question 2. If confirmed, will you commit to significantly
strengthening Federal oversight of America's commercial trucking
industry? In addition, what specific actions will you recommend the DOT
take to stem the rise in truck crash deaths and injuries?
Answer. Making sustained progress will require a comprehensive
approach to focus on trucking safety. The numbers you cite are a vivid
reminder of how many families lose loved ones, and how many lives are
altered because of traffic crashes on our streets and highways. If
confirmed, I will work with FMCSA to identify improvement opportunities
to ensure the Department effectively oversees the safe operations of
the commercial trucking industry using the most appropriate policy
tools. This could include better identifying high risk new trucking
companies, ensuring current regulations are judiciously enforced,
expanding education and outreach, and harnessing new technologies that
save lives.
Backup GPS. GPS has become vitally important for our country,
providing position, navigation, and timing (PNT) services that underlie
our economy and national security. Unfortunately, this system is
increasingly threatened by disruption, jamming, and possible outright
attack by malicious actors, creating a potentially devastating single
point of failure. To address these concerns, Congress passed and the
President signed the National Timing Resilience and Security Act of
2018 (NTRSA), which I sponsored. The law requires the Department of
Transportation (DOT) to provide for the establishment, sustainment, and
operation of a resilient backup timing signal for GPS, which will pave
the way for a full backup system of PNT services.
Although the prior administration issued an important and
comprehensive evaluation of alternative PNT technologies in January
2021, it failed to implement the NTRSA or provide a full backup timing
signal by the statutory deadline of December 2020.
Question 3. If confirmed, will you commit to executing the NTRSA as
a priority for the Department to deploy the congressionally required
timing signal, as well as build on the DOT's January 2021 report to
help ensure we finally have a full backup system for PNT services
across our critical infrastructure, society, and economy?
Answer. Resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)
services are not only important to supporting critical infrastructure
in the transportation sector, but also are essential for national,
homeland, and economic security through the integration of millions of
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers into our everyday lives. Key
PNT applications include those used for emergency response,
transportation safety, precision agriculture, machine control for
construction and mining, timing signals for telecommunications and
financial transactions, high-precision instruments for local-area
climatology studies, weather prediction, surveying, general navigation,
and scientific applications.
The transportation sector has some of the most stringent
performance requirements in terms of PNT accuracy, integrity,
availability, and reliability. If confirmed, I will continue to work
with Congress, our Federal partners, and our stakeholders to implement
GPS backup and complementary PNT technologies to deliver resilient PNT
capabilities.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Kyrsten Sinema to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Amtrak Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited. In my home state, the
Southwest Chief provides service to Flagstaff, Kingman, and Winslow,
Arizona. The Sunset Limited serves Tucson, Benson, Maricopa, and Yuma,
Arizona. In these communities, Amtrak service is a significant
financial driver. For example, over 50,000 riders disembark in
Flagstaff each year and provide more than $12 million in tourism
dollars to the city.
The current service cuts to three times per week on long-distance
routes, such as the Southwest Chief and the Sunset Limited, impacts
both local workers and local economies.
Question 1. Can you commit to supporting long-distance Amtrak
service such as the Southwest Chief and the Sunset Limited?
Answer. In recent years, Amtrak had made impressive progress in
improving its fiscal and operational health and in providing stable
daily service on its long-distance routes, which serve as vital
lifelines in so many rural communities across the U.S. Unfortunately,
Amtrak has been hard hit by COVID-19, and if confirmed, I look forward
to working with Congress to establish predictable, dedicated funding
sources for Amtrak maintenance and expansion. I also commit to working
with Secretary Buttigieg to help Amtrak return to financial stability
and pre-pandemic service levels throughout the country, including the
Southwest Chief and Sunset Limited.
Phoenix Amtrak Service. Phoenix is the fifth largest city in the
United States and the largest city in the country not served by Amtrak
passenger service. Arizona is also one of the fastest growing states in
the country. Amtrak service to Phoenix ended in 1996, and the closest
current Amtrak service to the Phoenix region is in Maricopa, about
thirty-five miles south. At a September presentation to the Rail
Passenger Association, Amtrak included Los Angeles--Palm Springs--
Phoenix--Tucson as an option for corridor expansion.
Question 2. What factors would you consider when deliberating about
future proposals to expand Amtrak service, such as returning service to
Phoenix?
Answer. The opportunity to expand intercity passenger rail in fast-
growing and underserved regions such as Arizona is one that I look
forward to exploring further, if confirmed. I stand ready to work with
you, as well as our partners at the state, local, Tribal, and
territorial level, the private sector, and Amtrak to improve and expand
our passenger rail system in order to advance these important goals.
Contract Tower Program. The Contract Tower Program has a strong
track record of enhancing aviation safety at more than 250 airports in
the country including seven in Arizona. Phoenix Mesa-Gateway--one of
the busiest contract towers in the country--is in the process of
building a new tower that will help address complex airspace management
challenges.
Question 3. Can we count on the Department and the FAA to work with
us to ensure contract towers will continue to play a critical role in
our national air traffic control system?
Answer. I look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg and the
FAA as well as Members of this Committee on this issue. I understand
there continues to be interest in ensuring the availability of
experienced controllers at Contract Towers and if confirmed, I will
work within the Department to ensure a continued commitment to the
program's funding and administration. I will work with Congress to
determine how best to address the challenges that may remain for the
program.
Autonomous Vehicles. Automated driving system technology is rapidly
evolving.
Question 4. How will the Department ensure that its workforce has
the appropriate expertise to develop and enforce rigorous safety
standards for the continued development and eventual safe deployment of
AV technologies?
Answer. If confirmed, I am eager to work with you and your
colleagues in Congress to ensure that the Federal government is leading
the way on ensuring safe autonomous vehicle operations nationwide. I
will work with our operating administrations to assess our capacity
building programs, the DOT-funded University Transportation Centers,
and partner with safety organizations, industry, and other stakeholders
to make sure our workforce is prepared and advance deployment of safe
AV technologies.
Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS). In the past year, we have seen UAS
(or drones) provide significant benefits to society, particularly
during the pandemic. Drones have provided contactless delivery of food,
medicine and other essential items. They have helped small businesses
reach customers, engineers evaluate bridge safety, insurance agents
evaluate storm damage, and inspectors to review infrastructure. Drones
have done this all while increasing safety and reducing environmental
impacts.
Question 5. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary of Transportation,
will you prioritize advancing drones and ensure the regulatory
framework in the United States keeps pace with evolving drone
technology?
Answer. The main priority of the FAA is aviation safety. When it
comes to Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS), safety is not just about the
aircraft itself, but how that aircraft can safely integrate into our
shared airspace and ensure the safety and security of our communities.
There are still many challenges, but we are very focused on encouraging
the progress of clean aircraft technologies and job creation here in
the U.S. I look forward to working with Congress and the FAA to help
the Department solve the remaining safety barriers so UAS can become a
vital part of a cleaner, robust, domestic economy.
Interstate 11. A transportation priority for Arizona is I-11, which
will run from the U.S./Mexican border to Phoenix, Las Vegas, and north
through Nevada. Interstate 11 will be an important link between two of
the largest cities in the county, will increase trade and commerce with
Mexico and Canada throughout the region, and will relieve air pollution
and congestion in downtown Phoenix.
Question 6. Can you commit to reviewing this project and working
with the Arizona and Nevada delegations to continue to advance this
project?
Answer. If I am confirmed, I commit to reviewing and working with
the Arizona and Nevada delegations on this project.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jacky Rosen to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Hyperloop. Hyperloop is a new mode of transportation that is 100
percent electric with zero direct carbon emissions. In addition to
these benefits, it offers high-speed transportation that increases
mobility options for travelers, reduces congestion, provides safety
advantages, and creates economic growth with new high-tech
manufacturing jobs.
Question 1. With the Biden Administration's focus on climate change
and the role the Department of Transportation will play in advancing
our Nation's climate policy, what steps do you plan to take to help
develop new modes of transportation that support these efforts, like
hyperloop?
Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department works with
you and other external stakeholders in clean technology and fuel
industries, including unions, industry, and local, state, Tribal, and
territorial governments, to determine how to develop new programs and
use existing programs to reduce pollution, address climate change, and
provide high-quality transportation options for all Americans.
Innovation and Equity. Nevada is proud to be on the cutting edge of
innovative transportation technologies--including hosting the only
statewide FAA-authorized drone test site, participating in several
autonomous vehicle and smart transportation pilot projects, and being
home to a Hyperloop One test bed.
Question 2. Can you share your thoughts on how the Department under
your leadership as Deputy Secretary can continue to encourage
creativity and innovation in our transportation sector?
Answer. If confirmed, I will ensure that the Department works with
you and other stakeholders to further innovations in safety and
mobility technologies. This includes working with unions, industry, and
local, state, Tribal, and territorial governments, to determine how to
develop new programs and use existing programs to create innovative
transportation solutions that address climate, equity, economic growth
and safety.
Question 3. How can we attract traditionally underrepresented
groups such as women and people of color to the transportation tech
sector, and how can DOT partner with other agencies to promote and
create training opportunities to build the people pipeline for
transportation jobs?
Answer. A diverse and inclusive workforce contributes to our
ability to better serve the American public and supports our vision for
innovation and equitable transportation systems. If confirmed, I will
work in collaboration with state, local, Tribal, and territorial
governments as well as transportation equity organizations and
underrepresented communities, to create a more diverse transportation
workforce that better represents our Nation. These efforts will include
analyzing trends specific to recruitment, retention and promotion of
underrepresented groups, listening to and engaging with Employee
Resource Groups as the Department establishes new workforce development
initiatives, and training managers and holding them accountable to our
civil rights and equity commitments.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Roger Wicker to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. Surface Transportation Reauthorization
With the pending expiration of the current surface transportation
authorization, do you commit to working on bipartisan legislation to
address infrastructure needs across the country, both rural and urban?
Answer. I understand that rural communities have unique needs,
including resource challenges and extensive unmet maintenance. I also
know that infrastructure investments in rural America are key to
supporting economic growth and to ensuring that residents have access
to jobs, education and essential basic services like health care. If I
am confirmed, I will work closely with this Committee and with the
other key Committees as Congress works to craft a multi-year
transportation reauthorization proposal that meets the needs of all
communities, including rural communities.
Question 2. Gulf Coast Rail
Are you committed to working to restore Amtrak service to the Gulf
Coast?
Answer. If confirmed, I am committed to working with you and key
stakeholders, including Amtrak and the freight railroads, to restore
passenger rail service to the Gulf Coast.
Question 3. Autonomous Vehicles
Automated vehicles have the potential to significantly reduce
traffic fatalities, increase mobility for the elderly and disabled, and
improve efficiency. The U.S. is currently a leader in developing this
life-saving technology but other nations are advancing quickly. Many
outmoded rules may hamper the safe testing and deployment of this
technology. What steps should the Department take to advance the safe
testing and deployment of automated vehicles in the U.S. to ensure that
the U.S. remains a global leader in innovation?
Answer. If confirmed, I am eager to work with you and your
colleagues in Congress to ensure that the Federal government helps to
lead the way in developing a safe autonomous vehicle industry
nationwide. If confirmed, I will work with industry, safety
organizations, American workers, environmental groups, and other
stakeholders to determine how to create American jobs and advance
American technological leadership through this industry.
Question 4. Critical Freight Network
President Biden recently issued an Executive Order on America's
supply chains and called on the leadership of various agencies,
including the Department of Transportation, to take action to further
the Administration's goal of strengthening the resilience of America's
supply chains. As the COVID-19 pandemic has underscored, our country is
reliant on its freight network. To avoid potential supply chain
disruptions, it is imperative that the Administration and Congress
ensure that essential workers, such as truck drivers, and the
transportation network have the resources and support necessary for the
safe and efficient movement of goods. Will you commit to working with
the Committee to monitor and support our supply chains as we continue
to navigate through the pandemic?
Answer. I agree that transportation workers are critical to
providing essential passenger travel as well as supporting freight
transportation throughout the U.S. and worldwide during the COVID-19
pandemic. These workers provide critical services such as transporting
individuals to testing and vaccine sites, and ensuring other essential
workers such as healthcare professionals have access to their
workplaces. Transportation workers also support the essential domestic
and global supply chains by ensuring that medical supplies reach
hospitals and health care facilities in a timely way. I am aware that
the Department supports the Centers for Disease Control and
Prevention's (CDC) recommendation to support vaccinations for critical
infrastructure workers, like those in the maritime, transit, aviation,
and other transportation industries. I commit to working with
interagency partners, as well as state, local, Tribal, and territorial
authorities, to promote expedient vaccination of transportation workers
and to avoid potential supply chain disruptions. I look forward to
working with the Committee to ensure that our supply chains can
continue to meet the Nation's needs.
Question 5. Tanker Security Program
Within the Department of Transportation, the Maritime
Administration serves an important national security role by supporting
U.S.-flagged ships for strategic sealift. The National Defense Act for
Fiscal Year 2021 authorized a Tanker Security Program to support
strategic sealift so that the U.S. military is not forced to rely on
foreign-flagged vessels for fuel logistics during national emergencies.
Will you commit to following the law and standing up the Tanker
Security Program in the time-frame and manner described in Chapter 534
of Title 46 of the U.S. Code, so that our U.S. troops can rely on fuel
from U.S.-flagged vessels?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to learning more about the goals of
the Tanker Security Program, consistent with our authority and
available resources.
Question 6. U.S. Merchant Marine Academy (USMMA) Recapitalization
The U.S. is significantly short of the mariners needed for
sustained strategic sealift in a national emergency. A prime source for
training of these mariners is the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy.
However, the Academy desperately needs improvements to its campus to
meet the training needs of a 21st century merchant marine. Will you
commit to making the recapitalization and modernization of the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy a priority?
Answer. Congress and DOT have been strong supporters of the U.S.
Merchant Marine Academy's recapitalization efforts. I understand the
critical role the maritime academies play in preparing the majority of
entry level licensed mariners with unlimited credentials for service in
the U.S. Merchant Marine, the U.S. Armed Forces, and the Nation's
intermodal transportation system. If confirmed, I look forward to
continuing this important work.
Question 7. Travel and Tourism, National Advisory Committee on
Travel and Tourism Infrastructure
The COVID-19 public health emergency has significantly impacted the
travel and tourism industry; the decline in travel and tourism spending
in 2020 is estimated to have caused more than $500 billion in
cumulative economic loss, which translates into a loss of millions of
jobs and thousands of businesses. As the COVID-19 vaccine reaches more
of the population and states modify restrictions, people will once
again begin to travel more and go to restaurants, hotels, and vacation
rentals in increasing numbers. Now is the time to prepare for the safe
return of large-scale travel and tourism. The FAST Act created the
National Advisory Committee on Travel and Tourism Infrastructure
(NACTTI) to provide information, advice, and recommendations to the
Secretary of Transportation on matters relating to travel and tourism
activities. In their final report, NACTTI made five key recommendations
to USDOT. Are you familiar with these recommendations? If so, do you
agree with them? If confirmed, how will you--as Deputy Secretary--
prioritize investment in transportation and infrastructure projects
that safely restart travel and tourism?
Answer. The travel and tourism industry has been devastated
nationwide by the COVID-19 pandemic, as I have seen firsthand in New
York, and DOT can play an important role in its recovery. I am familiar
with the NACTTI's work authorized under the FAST Act and the final
report and recommendations. If confirmed, I look forward to working
with this Committee and Secretary Buttigieg to execute President
Biden's promise on economic recovery and helping the travel and tourism
industry rebound.
Question 8. Essential Air Service
The ongoing COVID-19 pandemic has created challenges for
communities receiving air service through the Essential Air Service
(EAS) program because passenger air traffic has drastically fallen. The
FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act requires the Department of
Transportation to waive some of the subsidy eligibility restrictions
given the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic. What is your perspective on
how to ensure these and other smaller communities can receive adequate
air service?
Answer. I recognize the financial challenges the EAS program has
faced under COVID-19 and that the relief provided by the suspension of
certain eligibility requirements under the Consolidated Appropriations
Act for FY 2020 and FY 2021 will enable this important program to
continue to provide support to these communities. As we continue to
recover from the economic effects of the pandemic, I am committed to
working with Congress to ensure that the EAS program continues to serve
small and rural communities.
Question 9. Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act
As you may be aware, the FY 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act
included the Aircraft Certification, Safety, and Accountability Act,
which contained numerous important reforms to the FAA's aircraft
certification process. As the FAA works towards implementing the
requirements in this Act, will you commit to ensuring they are
implemented on time?
Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to working with the FAA in
implementing the recently enacted Aircraft Certification, Safety, and
Accountability Act as expeditiously as possible. Safety in aviation is
paramount, and I will work with the Secretary and keep Congress updated
on our progress as we work with the FAA to implement the Act.
Question 10. Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research
Excellence (ASSURE)
The integration of unmanned aircraft systems, known as UAS or
drones, into the national airspace system is one of the most important
ongoing efforts at the FAA. Unlocking the potential for UAS operations
will be a key aspect of keeping the U.S. at the forefront of aviation,
and robust Federal research programs will be a big part of that effort.
The FAA's Alliance for System Safety of UAS through Research
Excellence, known as ASSURE, is a Center of Excellence, comprised of 24
renowned research institutions, including Mississippi State University,
which conducts important research on integrating UAS into the National
Airspace. Do you pledge to familiarize yourself with ASSURE as you get
up to speed on UAS issues?
Answer. Yes, if confirmed, I look forward to learning more about
the FAA's ASSURE and its work on UAS operations. I also look forward to
working with safety experts, academic researchers, industry innovators,
and partners from Federal, state, local, Tribal, and territorial
governments on this important technology.
Question 11. FAA National Airspace System Commercial Space
Integration
As you may be aware, the number and frequency of space launches and
re-entries from U.S. spaceports has increased dramatically. In 2020,
the Eastern Range at Cape Canaveral, Florida, hosted 31 launches. This
year, there are 53 launches on its schedule. As this trend continues,
integrating these launches into the national airspace system will be
critical to maintaining safety and maximizing airspace use. The FAA is
working on tools such as the Space Data Integrator and Hazard Risk
Assessment and Mitigation framework. Can you commit to ensuring that
this important work continues?
Answer. Should I be confirmed, I am committed to working with the
FAA and the commercial space industry to ensure the safe operation of
commercial space flights in our National Airspace System (NAS). We need
to manage the airspace to ensure the NAS is safe for both passenger and
commercial spacecraft. I look forward to better understanding and
further developing how these tools can ensure safety while promoting
greater efficiency.
Question 12. FAA Commercial Space Licensing
Last year, the FAA's Office of Commercial Space Transportation
issued a final rule to streamline space launch and reentry licensing.
As the FAA works to implement this rule, responsiveness to industry is
key, especially given the rapid pace of innovation. If confirmed, will
you work with industry to ensure optimal outcomes for the safety and
growth of America's space enterprise?
Answer. If confirmed, I am looking forward to working with the FAA
and our commercial spaceflight operators to help build this remarkable
new industry in the U.S. I understand the FAA is working on Advisory
Circulars to help industry best use the streamlined rule. If confirmed,
I commit to working with industry and continuing to focus on safety
outcomes.
Question 13. FAA Commercial Space Licensing
The Office of Commercial Space Transportation is a small office
within FAA with roughly 120 employees. Given the significant work ahead
to implement the new launch and reentry rule, do you believe that it
would be prudent to prioritize resources for these immediate
implementation activities?
Answer. If confirmed, I am interested in engaging with the Office
of Commercial Space Transportation and assessing their capabilities and
needs. I understand that a recent reorganization was implemented to
ensure a more efficient connection with industry. There may be
additional ways that DOT can help, and I intend to explore those with
Secretary Buttigieg, the FAA, and Congress.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Roy Blunt to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question. Backup GPS
On December 4, 2018, the Frank Lobiondo Coast Guard Authorization
Act of 2018 was signed into law (PL 115-282). Section 514 of this law
(49 USC 312), included a provision which was introduced in both
chambers of Congress, titled the ``National Timing and Resiliency
Act.'' This section of law requires that the Department of
Transportation enter into a private-public-partnership for the purpose
of overseeing the establishment of a terrestrial backup to satellite-
based Global Positioning System services; the purpose of which would be
to supplement and harden precision timing capabilities.
The statutory time requirement for implementation of this provision
has already passed. The Department of Transportation is now two months
late on delivering a system, as the law required a system be
operational in two years. In order to further direct the Department of
Transportation to implement this provision, report language was
included in the 2021 Consolidated Appropriations Act (PL 116-260),
directing the agency to fill staff vacancies for the purpose of
implementing these statutory requirements.
Congress could not be any clearer in the directive it has given the
Department of Transportation regarding the implementation of this
provision. A disruption of GPS would have wide-ranging and disastrous
effects on the United States' national security and the broader
economy. In 2014 the Department of Homeland Security defined GPS as a
significant vulnerability for our Nation's economy. They stated that of
the 16 critical infrastructure sectors of the U.S. economy, GPS was
used by 15 and that for 13 of these sectors, GPS was a single point of
failure.
However, I have not received any substantive information from DOT
on its intention to implement the requirements of PL 115-282. The only
attestation from DOT that my staff or I have received is related to
reporting requirements and technology demonstrations which were
authorized through other previous legislative measures.
If confirmed, will you implement the requirements provided
to DOT through PL 115-282?
Will you provide the Senate Appropriations Committee, Senate
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, and my
personal office with a timely update on the status of this
provision's implementation?
Will you provide the Senate Appropriations Committee with
the agency's funding needs related to the procurement of a
terrestrial backup GPS system?
Answer. Resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)
services are not only important to supporting critical infrastructure
in the transportation sector but also are essential for national,
homeland, and economic security through the integration of millions of
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers into our everyday lives. Key
PNT applications include those used for emergency response,
transportation safety, precision agriculture, machine control for
construction and mining, timing signals for telecommunications and
financial transactions, high-precision instruments for local-area
climatology studies, weather prediction, surveying, general navigation,
and scientific applications.
The transportation sector has some of the most stringent
performance requirements in terms of PNT accuracy, integrity,
availability, and reliability. If confirmed, I will continue to work
with Congress, our Federal partners, and our stakeholders to implement
GPS backup and complementary PNT technologies to deliver resilient PNT
capabilities. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary and the
Office of Management and Budget to keep Congress informed of the
Department's progress and funding needs.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Ted Cruz to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. Rideshare Services
On-demand vehicle-for-hire services such as Uber and Lyft
transformed how Americans access transportation services. As of last
year, Uber operated in over 900 cities around the world, providing
income for more than 5 million drivers.\1\ Uber, and services like it,
almost instantly encountered hostile regulatory environments from big
cities.\2\
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\1\ Uber 2020 Presentation
\2\ ``E-Hail Regulation in Global Cities.'' NYU Wagner Graduate
School of Public Service. November 4, 2019.
In New York City, the taxi medallion system created a
distorted market prone to corruption that was upended by the
rideshare industry. Do you believe it is the responsibility of
government, at any level, to prop up a quasi-governmental
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
industry at the expense of a more innovative alternative?
Do you agree with, and if confirmed would you be supportive
of, the NYC taxi drivers' demand for a $500 million bailout
fund, largely due to a broken and distorted medallion system?
\3\
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\3\ ``New York City considers $500 million bailout for its taxi
drivers.'' CBS News. January 31, 2020.
In August 2020, New York City Mayor Bill de Blasio suggested
to the taxi union the Federal government under a President
Biden could intervene and provide assistance to NYC taxi
drivers.\4\ If confirmed, would you support U.S. taxpayers
bailing out the NYC taxi system? If so, what about other taxi
systems across the country?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\4\ ``NYC taxi drivers block streets near City Hall to demand debt
relief.'' Fox 5 New York. August 20, 2020.
Answer. From 2014-2020, I served as the Commissioner of New York
City's Department of Transportation, which does not oversee or regulate
for-hire vehicles, but does play a role in analyzing the impact of the
industry on the safety, sustainability and congestion levels of city
streets.
Historically, Federal officials have had no role in the state and
local regulation of the taxi and for-hire vehicle industry, including
with regards to any financial agreements or arrangements. If confirmed,
I do not anticipate that DOT will be involved in any city's regulatory
or legislative deliberations involving the for-hire vehicle industry.
Question 2. Since 2015, revenue for yellow cab drivers has fallen
more than 35 percent, a trend that also occurred in cities like
Philadelphia, Chicago, and Los Angeles. As you know, in an effort to
remedy this, in 2018 New York City attempted to regulate the amount of
time a rideshare driver can spend searching for passengers.
Was a similar proposal ever considered for traditional taxis
under the medallion system?
New York Supreme Court Judge Lyle Frank called the rule
``arbitrary and capricious'' when he annulled the rule.\5\ In
your written testimony to this committee, you noted that a
central part of President Biden's ``Build Back Better'' plan,
which you support, is ``foster[ing] innovation and global
competitiveness.'' As a general matter, do you believe
``arbitrary and capricious'' rules and regulations foster
innovation?
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\5\ ``Judge blocks NYC's law limiting Uber drivers `cruising' for
new passengers.'' The Verge. December 23, 2019.
How do you reconcile your written testimony, where you say
you will help foster innovation if confirmed, and your history
in New York City of supporting rules and regulations that
heavily discouraged innovation and which, had they not been
thrown out by Judge Frank, would have disproportionately
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
negatively impacted poor and minority communities?
Answer. In August 2018, in response to concerns about the economic
hardships faced by taxi and for-hire vehicle drivers and growing
traffic congestion, the New York City Council passed, by a vote of 39-
to-6, legislation authorizing the Taxi and Limousine Commission (TLC)
to establish and revise vehicle utilization standards for high-volume
for-hire services and to regulate the issuance of new licenses to for-
hire vehicles. The City proceeded with minimum pay per trip rules
immediately after the 2018 legislation.
The legislation also tasked the TLC and NYCDOT with reviewing the
impacts of the industry and proposing longer-term policy solutions to
address congestion. The TLC then proceeded with a cap on cruising,
requiring apps to maintain a minimum utilization rate in the Manhattan
Central Business District, which had seen steep increases in congestion
and travel speeds dropping below 5 miles per hour. The TLC did not
propose a utilization rate for traditionally underserved areas. This
cap on congestion was determined to be arbitrary and capricious in
litigation brought by for-hire vehicles, but the City prevailed on
challenges to the minimum pay per trip rules.
As many cities, New York included, have grappled with the for-hire
vehicle sector, NYCDOT has been deeply involved in integrating a number
of new transportation technologies. NYCDOT has partnered with Lyft to
create North America's largest bike share system. NYCDOT has also
worked with a number of other transportation technology companies to
pilot car share, dockless bike share, shared mopeds, and soon, shared
e-scooters, as well as pay-by-cell parking.
NYC, along with Tampa, FL and the State of Wyoming, is currently
part of a DOT pilot program to test and deploy V2V and V2I connected
vehicle technology to promote safer streets and reduce congestion. The
City also partners regularly with the private construction industry on
new technologies and advanced materials to reduce costs and improve the
delivery of infrastructure projects.
But even as the City embraces technological advancements, like
other localities, it does also need to manage the safety, efficiency,
sustainability and equity of its roadway and mass transit systems, as
well as protecting both the public and private transportation
workforce.
Question 3: Can you please detail any involvement you or the NYC
Department of Transportation had, while you were Commissioner, in the
implementation of regulatory actions against rideshare services?
Were any of the government officials involved in drafting or
passing legislation or rulemaking--either in the Mayor's
office, NYC DOT, or the Taxi and Limousine Commission--also
recipients of political donations from the NYC taxi industry?
Answer. As noted above, as NYCDOT Commissioner I did not have a
direct role in the regulation of rideshare services. To the best of my
knowledge, non-elected City officials in the Mayor's Office, TLC,
NYCDOT or elsewhere do not receive political donations of any kind. For
elected officials, I believe that the relevant information on political
donations in New York State is publicly available on the New York State
Board of Elections website.
Question 4. Disruptive Technology
In the last decade, new transportation services and technologies
have disrupted the status quo, particularly in urban areas. The
Department of Transportation has had and will continue to have a
considerable role in shaping the regulatory environment in which many
of these innovative technologies will operate.
In your assessment, has the Federal government's regulatory
approach the last four years encouraged innovation in the
transportation sector? What was done right and what should be
changed?
If confirmed, what would your approach be to the regulatory
environment for innovative technologies like rideshare and
autonomous vehicles?
What policy changes do you believe need to be made by
congress in order to provide an environment which allows
innovative and disruptive technology to mature and grow?
Answer. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary, like Secretary Buttigieg,
safety will also be my top priority, especially as it relates to new
transportation services and technologies. I commit to advancing the
integration of technology that improves safety for all users, and to
working with safety advocates, industry stakeholders, and labor groups
to reduce fatalities on our roadways. I am eager to work with you and
your colleagues in Congress to ensure that the Federal government is
leading the way on creating a regulatory environment that enhances
safety and addresses climate change. Further, I will work with the
stakeholders who have equities in the transportation innovation space,
which includes American workers, safety advocates, industry,
environmental groups, and others to determine how to create American
jobs and advance American technological leadership.
Question 5. Disruptive technology is not limited to ridesharing or
autonomous vehicles, nor is it limited to urban areas. Unmanned aerial
vehicle (UAV) technology could potentially provide delivery service to
very remote, underserved areas of the country. Especially promising is
how UAV technology could transform access for these areas in things
like medicine and food. For example, just last year, a UAV company
partnered with a healthcare provider to distribute personal protective
gear and medical equipment in North Carolina.
What do you believe is the proper approach to integration of
UAV technology into the national airspace system?
Would you agree that the Integrated Pilot Program (IPP) and
BEYOND program, both administered under the last
administration, encourage long-term innovation?
Answer. Unmanned Aircraft Systems (UAS) technology has tremendous
potential, but the challenge for the FAA will be to ensure it is safely
integrated into our shared airspace and at low altitudes over
communities and residences. If confirmed, I look forward to working
closely with Congress, the FAA, industry, state, local and tribal
governments and other stakeholders to address the advance a thriving,
safe UAS industry. If confirmed, I commit to familiarizing myself more
deeply with the results from the UAS Integration Pilot Program and the
ongoing work of BEYOND and its partners.
Question 6. In recent years, short-range autonomous vehicle
services have deployed across the country. They have been used for food
delivery, medical goods, and retail. These are not traditional, full-
size automobiles, rather they are much smaller vehicles, traveling much
shorter distances.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration continues
to solicit public comment on a delayed framework for automated
driving system safety (RIN 2127-AM15). Without compromising
roadway and pedestrian safety, what should the Department of
Transportation do to expedite permissions for products like
this, and if confirmed will you commit to working to move this
framework along?
Answer. The Department recognizes that advancements in
transportation technologies, such as autonomous vehicles, could lead to
increased safety benefits. If confirmed, I will commit to exploring how
these technologies can be safely integrated in our roadways and
communities and how DOT can work with stakeholders nationwide to
realize the benefits of autonomous vehicle technologies.
Question 7. LNG by Rail
The state of New York, your home state, produces less energy per
capita than any other state in the Nation except for Rhode Island. The
state relies heavily on natural gas for consumption, however. According
to the Energy Information Administration, New York was the sixth-
largest natural gas consumer in 2018. In 2019, three out of every five
households heated their homes with natural gas.
In June 2020, the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) finalized a rule authorizing the bulk
transportation of liquefied natural gas by rail. The final rule was
based on ``an evidence-based approach to the safety of the tank cars
designed and used to transport flammable cryogenic materials.'' New
York State imports three-quarters of its energy needs from other
states, suggesting New Yorkers would benefit greatly from additional
avenues of energy transportation.
When I asked now-Secretary Buttigieg about his commitment to
this rule in his nomination hearing, despite acknowledging the
benefits of natural gas and the fact that his city had
transitioned a portion of city vehicles to natural gas, he
refused to affirm the rule would stand. Will you commit to
advocating to keep the current rule in place and continuing to
allow LNG transportation by rail?
Answer. With regard to LNG-by-Rail, the Administration understands
that concerns have been raised about LNG-by-rail by many communities.
If confirmed, I commit to reviewing the rule and ensuring that safety
is at the forefront of any decision.
Question 8. Infrastructure Projects
The NYC Department of Transportation operates a $19.7 billion ten-
year capital improvement program. When you stepped down as
commissioner, the NYC Streetsblog criticized you for a $200 million
``foolish waste of money'' on one project, as well as ``a plan for
fixing [an expressway] that was so bad she and the mayor had to abandon
it.''
Between INFRA and BUILD grants, the U.S. Department of
Transportation awards billions upon billions of infrastructure
grants each year. What lessons did you learn in New York City
that will prevent wasteful delays and failed projects from
occurring at the Federal level?
Answer. Having participated in discretionary grant processes at
both DOT and as a competitor in the process, I know that the Department
places a lot of emphasis on selecting projects that are high priorities
for the project sponsor's community, produce significant public
benefits, and are ready to move forward within statutory timelines. As
a local government leader, I recognize the importance of improving the
project delivery process and exploring opportunities to make that
process more streamlined and flexible. If confirmed, I will apply my
experience to ensure that the Department commits to transparency and
continues to prioritize the strongest projects for the available
discretionary funding.
Question 9. The American Rescue Plan, as originally passed by the
House of Representatives, prioritized urban pet projects like a
California subway expansion and a bridge to Canada in upstate New York.
Correctly, the projects were ruled out of order by the Senate
Parliamentarian and were not included in the measure which passed the
Senate. Nonetheless, the projects were clearly unrelated to COVID
relief and never belonged in the package in the first place. This is
very concerning given that Congressional Democrats are preparing a
return to earmarks and potentially the pork-barrel spending which they
invite.
If confirmed, what criteria would you use to evaluate
requests for multi-million-dollar grants to ensure the most
suitable candidate is chosen and taxpayer dollars aren't
wasted?
Answer. If I am confirmed, I commit to using the criteria that
Congress sets forth to evaluate all grant applications in the
Department. It is important every discretionary grant application
receives a fair and impartial evaluation according to the criteria, and
that our evaluation and selection process is fully documented according
to Departmental guidance. I commit to ensuring and enforcing
transparency in all project selection processes.
Question 10. As discussions about an infrastructure package have
picked up, some have suggested Congress employ the reconciliation
process, which as you know is a strictly partisan exercise, instead of
going through regular order.
Given your experience in the Senate, do you believe
reconciliation is the correct vehicle for an infrastructure
package, even if that means passing it with only partisan
support?
Should you be confirmed, how will you use your position and
the DOT to engage with non-urban stakeholders and ensure their
needs are met in whatever package comes together?
Answer. In my years in the Senate and at DOT, transportation
authorization and appropriations legislation was drafted, negotiated,
and passed with significant bipartisan support. If confirmed, I very
much look forward to working with Secretary Buttigieg and the relevant
congressional Committees to on transportation legislation that
addresses the needs and priorities of states and localities across the
country
If I am confirmed, I also look forward to working with stakeholders
from all parts of the country, ensuring that the Department is
accessible to and proactively engaging directly with small and rural
communities and tribal governments and the elected officials who
represent them.
Question 11. Congress has now passed five laws related to COVID
relief. Combined, the legislation provides tens of billions of dollars
for transit agencies, airlines, Amtrak, and other forms of public
transportation.
Governors of both red and blue states are lifting COVID
restrictions as more Americans are vaccinated, and life could
soon return to normal across the country. Given this, do you
believe there is a sound rationale for continuing to throw
taxpayer dollars at corporations and transit agencies that have
already received billions, and whose operations could soon be
somewhat normal again? If so, please provide that rationale, as
well as when you believe the Federal government will be able to
stop propping up these transit sectors.
Answer. The COVID-19 pandemic has devastated the transportation
sector, particularly those industries like aviation, transit, passenger
rail and intercity buses, which are heavily dependent on passenger
revenues to operate and now face major new expenses to keep their
systems safe for workers and the traveling public. The COVID relief
that Congress has provided over the past year has been crucial in
enabling our transportation system to continue to serve the public,
particularly front line workers, and minimizing job loss and economic
dislocation. For many of those systems, it may still be years before
their revenue and expenditure levels return to pre-pandemic levels. But
if confirmed, I am committed to helping restore public confidence in
transportation and helping that industry recover financially as soon as
possible.
Question 12. Backup GPS
GPS has become a part of our everyday lives. It is vitally
important for our country's economy, including our transportation
systems, telecommunications, financial sector, and emergency services,
to name a few. Unfortunately, this system has increasingly come under
threat from jamming and possible outright attack by international
actors and has no resilient, independent backup. A disruption of GPS
would have wide-ranging and disastrous effects on the United States'
national security and the broader economy. In 2014 the Department of
Homeland Security defined GPS as a significant vulnerability for our
Nation's economy. They stated that of the 16 critical infrastructure
sectors of the U.S. economy, GPS was used by 15 and that for 13 of
these sectors, GPS was a single point of failure. In 2018, Congress
passed, and the President signed into law my bill that I introduced
with Senator Markey, the National Timing Resilience and Security Act
(NTRSA). This legislation originated in this Committee and had
bipartisan support from many of my fellow Committee members and the
full Senate. The law required the Secretary of Transportation to
establish a terrestrially based backup system to GPS by December 2020--
however that deadline has come and gone. As noted by the February 25,
2021 letter to Secretary Pete Buttigieg from House of Representatives
Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure Chairman Pete DeFazio
and the March 1, 2021 letter to acting OMB director Rob Fairweather
from Ranking Member Sam Graves, protecting GPS, the U.S. economy, and
our broader national security is something we can no longer afford to
miss or delay executing.
If confirmed, will you commit to move expeditiously to
complete the necessary steps to establish an operational
terrestrial backup GPS system, per the law Senator Markey and I
authored?
Answer. Resilient positioning, navigation, and timing (PNT)
services are not only important to supporting critical infrastructure
in the transportation sector but also are essential for national,
homeland, and economic security through the integration of millions of
Global Positioning System (GPS) receivers into our everyday lives. Key
PNT applications include those used for emergency response,
transportation safety, precision agriculture, machine control for
construction and mining, timing signals for telecommunications and
financial transactions, high-precision instruments for local-area
climatology studies, weather prediction, surveying, general navigation,
and scientific applications.
The transportation sector has some of the most stringent
performance requirements in terms of PNT accuracy, integrity,
availability, and reliability. If confirmed, I will continue to work
with Congress, our Federal partners, and our stakeholders to implement
GPS backup and complementary PNT technologies to deliver resilient PNT
capabilities.
Question 13. COVID-19 Vaccine Passport
Recently, the Department of Transportation and Centers for Disease
Control and Prevention debated requiring passengers provide proof of a
negative COVID test prior to being allowed to fly domestically. Such a
requirement would be impossible to implement, destroy domestic air
travel, and runs counter to multiple scientific studies that conclude
the risk of transmitting COVID while flying is very very small (less
than .003 percent). There are also significant privacy concerns about
requiring proof of a medical procedure. Such a mandate would be a
mistake.
Millions of Americans are now receiving COVID vaccines every
day, suggesting the pandemic may soon be behind us. I remain
concerned, however, that public accommodations, as defined by
U.S. code, will be allowed and encouraged to require proof of
vaccination or perhaps develop some sort of ``vaccine
passport'' a consumer must present prior to entering a store,
renting a hotel room, or using public transportation like a
city subway, Amtrak, or board a plane. Do you agree it would be
wrong to invade Americans' personal privacy and infringe on
their freedoms by impeding their right to travel by requiring
them to produce proof of COVID vaccination prior to reentering
society?
Answer. I am aware that DOT has been working with industry and
other stakeholders to determine what it will take to restore public
trust in public transportation in a way that is practical, broadly
supported, and meets public health standards. I look forward to working
with Congress and the Administration to determine sensible solutions
for the safety and viability of the U.S. transportation sector while
protecting transportation workers and the traveling public.
Question 14. Corporate Average Fuel Economy (CAFE) Standards
As you are aware, the National Highway Traffic Safety
Administration (NHTSA) regulates fuel economy and greenhouse gas
emission standards for passenger vehicles. It is widely expected that
the Biden administration will review the Trump administration's Safer
Affordable Fuel-Efficient (SAFE) Vehicles Rule and replace it with
standards that are more stringent--potentially increasing costs for
consumers. Raising the cost of producing passenger vehicles, and by
extension raising the price of vehicles for consumers during a
pandemic, is a terrible idea.
If confirmed, can you promise to oppose regulations that
will raise the cost of passenger vehicles for consumers?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit that I will review proposed
rulemakings and review the required analysis on estimated costs and
benefits for consumers.
Question 15. Aircraft CO2 Rule
In 2016, under the Obama administration, more than 190 countries
reached a historic multilateral agreement on aircraft CO2
emission standards and a carbon offset scheme for international
flights. The agreement reached at the meeting organized by
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) meeting was
characterized by ICAO Council President Dr. Olumuyiwa Benard Aliu as
``practical'' in a press release, in which he also said it would
``serve as a positive and sustainable contributor to global greenhouse
gas emissions reduction.'' \6\
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\6\ https://www.icao.int/Newsroom/Pages/Historic-agreement-reached-
to-mitigate-international-aviation-emissions.aspx
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Since the agreements were signed, the European Union and United
States have both adopted domestic CO2 emission standards
that are compliant with the agreement and provide the basis for
aircraft manufacturers to demonstrate compliance with the new
requirements. However, the FAA has still not completed the rule to
provide the framework and process for U.S. manufacturers to certify
their aircraft so they can be exported and operate internationally.
If confirmed, will you commit to moving forward and
finalizing this important rule in 2021? Further, if confirmed
will you commit to adhering to the agreement previously reached
and not re-opening it to add additional burdensome regulations?
Answer. I am aware the DOT collaborated closely with the
Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) in the development of the EPA's
final rule to implement the ICAO standard, published on January 11 of
this year. As customary for implementation of international aviation
emissions standards, the EPA first publishes a rule under the Clean Air
Act, followed by an FAA rulemaking to establish airworthiness
certification requirements. Under Executive Order 13990, I understand
the EPA rulemaking is currently under review, and subject to the
outcome of that review, if confirmed, I commit to working with FAA to
finalize the rulemaking as expeditiously as possible.
As to the second question, the U.S. led the efforts to reach a
landmark resolution on climate change at the General Assembly of the
International Civil Aviation Organization (ICAO) in 2016, and supported
the ICAO Council adoption of Standards and Recommended Practices for
the Aircraft CO2 standard. I commit to continued support for
those outcomes and for continued U.S. engagement to support ICAO's
ongoing efforts to address the climate impacts of aviation.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. Mineral Definition
Mrs. Trottenberg: The raw materials provided by the aggregate
industry are necessary for virtually every public works project across
the country, and these raw material operators adhere to various Federal
agencies concerning the rocks they quarry.
How would you support the need for accurate mineral
definitions to maintain an efficient construction supply chain
and deliver infrastructure projects in a timely manner?
Answer. There are a limited number of existing aggregate resource
sites in our nation, and we need to take coordinated efforts to ensure
the availability and reasonable price of these resources without
compromising our commitments to safety or environmental protection. If
confirmed, I look forward to working with you, your colleagues, and
other stakeholders to explore what actions can be taken to sustain our
supply of aggregates.
Question 2. Transportation Systems
Mrs. Trottenberg: Many cities have access to a wealth of
information and data for planning purposes, but it is often siloed
within different city departments and agencies.
How can DOT help drive efficiencies and work to see that
data is adequately and safely shared between different public
agencies, the private sector, and stakeholders to ensure
delivery of better transportation systems?
Answer. In my experience, transportation is an increasingly data
and technology driven field and advances in data analytics are enabling
transportation agencies to dramatically improve how they design and
manage their systems. But cities and states often face enormous
challenges in managing and analyzing the growing volume of data streams
and integrating that data with their many legacy IT systems in and
among different agencies. If confirmed, I look forward to working with
State, local, Tribal, and territorial officials, community
stakeholders, and the private sector to support and disseminate best
practices for managing, analyzing and sharing data for the
transportation system, while also focusing on security and privacy
protection.
Question 3. Truck Driver Shortage
Mrs. Trottenberg: The U.S. truck driver shortage is worsened by the
industry's struggles to recruit new drivers.
Will you commit to working with me to fix the regulatory
barriers that prevent or deter capable drivers from entering
the trucking workforce?
Answer. I know there are significant concerns about truck driver
shortages, driver retention and an aging driver population at a time
when our economy is increasingly dependent on freight movement by
truck. If confirmed, look forward to working with all the relevant
stakeholders on this challenge, with a focus on safety and working
conditions and how to best recruit, train and retain drivers.
Question 4. Pipelines
Mrs. Trottenberg: As you know, pipelines are the safest and most
efficient method of transporting energy in America.
Will DOT and the Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety
Administration (PHMSA) provide a transparent process for
pipeline operators for the safe and continued operations of
America's essential pipelines?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with Secretary Buttigieg to
ensure DOT and PHMSA provide a transparent process for pipeline
operators for the safe and continued operations of the U.S. pipeline
network. I think it is essential that DOT promotes research and
development initiatives aimed at deploying new technologies to enhance
pipeline safety and reliability while addressing potential
environmental impacts.
Question 5. Motor Carrier Liability Insurance
Mrs. Trottenberg: Can you ensure DOT will not circumvent Congress
and mandate an increase in insurance requirements through the
regulatory process, given the absence of data indicating it would
improve safety?
Answer. The Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-
21) required the Department to report to Congress, every four years, on
the current minimum financial responsibility requirements for motor
carriers of property and passengers. It is my understanding that the
Department will be sending its latest iteration of that report to
Congress this year. I am gaining familiarity with this issue, but I do
recognize it is an issue of great importance to many of the
Department's key stakeholders. Both the Secretary and I will listen to
our partners in industry and in the safety community before developing
a path forward and will keep Congress informed.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Mike Lee to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. Ms. Trottenberg, has the Federal government
overextended itself in funding infrastructure projects? Should we
expand or reduce the scope of the Federal government in funding
infrastructure projects?
What is the appropriate role of the states, and what is the
appropriate role of the Federal government in handling these
types of projects?
You and Secretary Buttigieg will be advising President Biden
and Congress as we approach FAST Act reauthorization. What FAST
Act Programs would you recommend prioritizing in level of
importance, if confirmed?
Answer. If confirmed, I am committed to working with Secretary
Buttigieg and Congress to realize President Biden's vision for a
transformational investment in American infrastructure, to make it
safer, more equitable, more sustainable, and one that will create
millions of good-paying jobs. That includes leveraging the funding and
financing resources of the Department to work with Congressional,
state, local, Tribal, territorial, and other partners to help build
projects that achieve these goals. The Department is committed to
making the funding and financing pipeline for transportation projects
as streamlined and transparent as possible. With the FAST Act expiring
at the end of this Fiscal Year, DOT and the Biden Administration look
forward to engaging with Congress and other key stakeholders on the
next reauthorization. If confirmed, I am committed to providing the
Department's expertise and experience in implementing the FAST Act and
working closely with Congress on legislation that addresses
transportation needs across the country.
Question 2. Ms. Trottenberg, how would you describe the current
state of the Highway Trust Fund?
Can we continue to afford spending more than we are taking
in?
As we approach FAST Act reauthorization, will you oppose a
reauthorization plan that requires more irresponsible deficit
spending in our surface transportation programs?
Answer. Since 2008, the ongoing and growing imbalance between
Highway Trust Fund spending and receipts has remained a significant
issue. If confirmed, I will work with Federal partners, the Committee
and with the other key Committees to address our long-standing funding
challenges.
Question 3. Ms. Trottenberg, some have proposed addressing our
Highway Trust Fund shortfalls by increasing revenue. A Federal gas tax
raise is often thrown around as one means to increase this revenue. The
Biden administration has said they will not raise taxes on middle-
income Americans, which, as Secretary Buttigieg said recently, ``rules
out approaches like the old-fashioned gas tax.'' \7\ Can you give us a
clear commitment, as Secretary Buttigieg has done, that you will not
support raising the gas tax?
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\7\ https://www.bloomberg.com/news/articles/2021-02-26/buttigieg-
says-gas-tax-hike-would-violate-biden-campaign-pledge
Gas taxes hit the hardest on those who cannot always
purchase the newest, most fuel-efficient vehicles or expensive
electric cars. It also harms rural drivers who rely more on
their vehicles to travel and have less access to electric
charging infrastructure. Do you agree that the gas tax is a
regressive tax and raising it would unfairly impact rural and
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low-income Americans?
Answer. My role is to advise the Secretary on all aspects of
transportation policy and advocate for the decisions he makes. I think
it is important that as we transition to cleaner, sustainable and more
efficient methods of transportation, we decide together how to best
address that transition. This includes not only figuring out how to
fund that transition, but also to make sure it occurs equitably so that
rural and low-income Americans are not left behind. If confirmed, I
will work with the Secretary, our interagency partners, the Committee
and with the other key Committees to address our long-standing funding
challenges.
Question 4. Ms. Trottenberg, the Department of Transportation is
responsible for regulating aviation in the United States. One debate
taking place at the FAA is the issue of drone regulation. Low-altitude
drones are a major focus for the states, who through their inherent
police powers, govern matters such as property rights, land use,
trespass, privacy, and local safety issues. When Secretary Buttigieg
came before this Committee, he agreed with me that there should be a
clear role for authorities outside of the Federal government, such as
state and local authorities, to regulate drones in some of these
matters. You have an interesting background as Commissioner of the New
York City Department of Transportation. Would you agree with Secretary
Buttigieg? Do you think that state and local governments have a clear
role to play in the regulation of low-altitude drone operations?
In the context of drone operations, the FAA has taken the
position that they control the airspace from the ground up. Do
you think the Federal government has the ability to regulate
the airspace a couple of feet above your lawn? What about mere
inches above the blades of grass? In other words, should air
inches above your backyard or front lawn be considered Federal
airspace?
Answer. It is my understanding that the FAA is proactively engaged
with communities and local law enforcement as it develops its
regulations. If confirmed, I will continue to encourage collaboration
with state, local and tribal governments as I know firsthand what an
essential role they play. I will work with Congress to develop a path
forward that prioritizes safety and enables us to benefit from
innovations like UAS.
Question 5. Ms. Trottenberg, do you believe the Department of
Transportation has authority to regulate ``intrastate'' transportation?
If so, to what extent?
Recently, the Department of Transportation and the CDC
issued a COVID-19 mask mandate to require masks be worn on some
intrastate transit preempting state decisions. Is this an
appropriate use of the Federal government's authority?
Answer. The Administration has acted swiftly to combat COVID-19,
including numerous Executive Orders aimed at protecting travelers and
reducing the spread of COVID-19. I am aware of the Department's ongoing
efforts, including implementing CDC's mask mandates for public
transportation, protecting transportation workers, and working with
interagency partners, under the Department's existing legal authority.
I am fully committed to continuing to leverage the Department's
resources to respond to the COVID-19 pandemic, including supporting the
President's American Rescue Plan and the broader response.
Question 6. Ms. Trottenberg, during his questioning at your
hearing, Senator Hickenlooper asked you about the streamlining of
commercial space launch and reentry regulations \8\ at the FAA, which
are currently set to take effect on March 10, 2021. Do you support the
new streamlined launch and reentry licensing requirements?
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\8\ https://www.federalregister.gov/documents/2020/12/10/2020-
22042/streamlined-launch-and-reentry-license-requirements
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Answer. If confirmed, I am looking forward to working with the FAA
and our commercial spaceflight operators to help build this remarkable
new industry in the United States. I understand the FAA is working on
Advisory Circulars to help industry best use the streamlined rule. If
confirmed, I commit to working with industry and continuing to focus on
safety outcomes.
Question 7. The Office of Commercial Space Transportation was
established for two purposes: (1) to protect public health and safety
through regulation and (2) to promote the economic development of space
by facilitating and encouraging space launches by the private
sector.\9\ This dual mandate--safety and promoting commerce--is unusual
for DOT agencies, which usually just are charged with public safety. If
confirmed, how will you appropriately balance the carrying out of these
dual mandates?
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\9\ https://www.faa.gov/about/office_org/headquarters_offices/ast/
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Answer. If confirmed, I look forward to discussing with the FAA how
those missions are balanced today and better understanding how we can
enhance that balance, both in terms of avoiding conflicts of interest,
but also in terms of the appropriate resources dedicated to these
missions. I am committed to working with FAA and industry to ensure
safe operations in our National Airspace System, should I be confirmed.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Shelley Moore Capito to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. In the past, the Department of Transportation has
allocated Department resources to large urban projects and often times
left rural areas underfunded. Secretary Chao did a very good job
recognizing that and making a concerted effort to use the Department's
discretionary authority and discretionary grant programs, like BUILD
and INFRA, to help rural America. And I look forward to working with
Secretary Buttigieg on ensuring rural communities don't get left behind
again.
Will you commit, if confirmed, to address the unique
transportation needs of rural parts of our country?
Will you commit to making sure that eligible projects in
rural areas receive their fair share of resources from the
Department's discretionary grant programs, such as BUILD and
INFRA?
Answer. I understand that rural communities have unique needs,
including resource challenges and extensive unmet maintenance. I also
know that infrastructure investments are key to supporting economic
growth and to ensuring that residents in rural communities have access
to jobs, education access and essential basic services like health
care. If confirmed, I will commit to making sure that eligible projects
in rural areas receive their fair consideration for competitive
discretionary grants.
Follow-Up Question. Currently, both INFRA and BUILD grants set
aside a certain percentage of funding for rural projects. Most
recently, DOT issued a notice of funding opportunity (NOFO) for FY2021
INFRA grants, with a new emphasis on climate change and racial equity.
If confirmed, do you commit to being transparent with this
Committee on the decision-making process for awarding
competitive grants from programs, such as INFRA and BUILD?
Do you commit, if confirmed to ensuring that the policy,
regulatory, and funding decisions made by the Department
consider the unique transportation needs of both rural and
urban communities?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work with the Secretary to ensure that
the DOT implements a balanced investment program that meets the needs
of all communities, including rural communities. I will also ensure
that discretionary grant programs meet the selection and reporting
requirements set forth by Congress in legislation.
Question 2. According to NHTSA, the COVID-19 pandemic significantly
decreased the amount of traffic on our Nation's highway system.
However, a recent report by NHTSA revealed that fatality rate during
that same period increased, as did risky driving behaviors, such as
driving without a seatbelt and driving under the influence of drugs and
alcohol.
In your testimony, you mention how New York was able to
lower traffic fatalities even though fatalities rose
nationally. What are some of the initiatives New York
implemented in order to make streets safer?
Answer. New York became the first U.S. city to adopt Vision Zero, a
comprehensive and data-driven program to eliminate all traffic
fatalities and severe injuries, while increasing safe, sustainable and
equitable mobility for all. Even as traffic fatalities rose nationally,
through our efforts in New York, we saw years of safer streets for all
road users. Some of the initiatives that we adopted included
prioritizing safe street design, lowering the city speed limit to 25
miles per hour, deploying school safety cameras, providing state-of-
the-art training and safety education to commercial vehicle operators,
and conducting targeted outreach to vulnerable road users.
But New York City, like cities all across the country, did see a
tragic spike in roadway crashes and fatalities during the pandemic,
with speed and reckless driving behavior being major contributing
factors. If confirmed, I look forward to making roadway safety
nationwide a priority, with a focus on roadway design, driver behavior
and vehicle safety standards.
Question 3. Do you commit, if confirmed, to ensure that appropriate
Department of Transportation staff promptly and thoroughly respond to
questions, information requests, and requests for technical assistance
from relevant congressional committees, regardless of whether the
question or request is made by the committee's chairman or the
committee's ranking member?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to ensuring that appropriate
Department of Transportation staff will promptly and thoroughly respond
to questions, information requests, and requests for technical
assistance from relevant Congressional committees, regardless of
whether the question or request is made by the Committee's chair or
ranking member.
Question 4. We are past due to pass a surface transportation
reauthorization bill this year. In order to deliver a bill before the
current extension expires on September 30th, a great deal of work and
cooperation will be needed between the Department and Congress. As
Ranking Member on the Environment and Public Works Committee, I know
that Senator Carper and I agree that our process must be bipartisan,
that means there must be some give and take by both parties.
Do I have your commitment that, if confirmed, you will work
with me and others to craft a reauthorization bill that meets
our country's transportation needs and will earn support from
members of both parties in both chambers?
Does the Biden Administration intend to develop and provide
to Congress its own proposal to reauthorize Federal surface
transportation programs? If so, what is the protected time-
frame for that proposal?
Answer. If confirmed, I commit to working closely with Secretary
Buttigieg, this Committee, and with the other key Committees on a
bipartisan basis as Congress works to craft a multi-year
reauthorization proposal that meets the needs of all communities,
including rural communities.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Rick Scott to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. The Biden Administration has indicated that combatting
climate change, as well as many aspects of the Green New Deal, will be
a focus across several sectors. My view is that we can address climate
change and grow our economy at the same time. My concern is that the
Green New Deal would bankrupt the nation, hurt our economy and kill
small businesses with its excessive, unrealistic regulations.
Do you plan to implement aspects of the Green New Deal
within DOT and what impact do you believe this will have on the
private sector and small businesses?
Answer. The transportation sector has a key role to play in
addressing climate change, and if confirmed, I will continue to support
the advancement of clean transportation technologies and will work with
you and other stakeholders, including unions, industry, and local,
state, Tribal, and territorial governments to determine how to create
new programs and use existing programs to create innovative solutions
to climate change. American innovation will indeed be critical to
combating climate change and ensuring our global competitiveness. The
Department's regulatory actions should be smart, forward-leaning, and
recognize and enable innovation and effective new technologies.
Question 2. Aviation oversight is a large sector within DOT. How do
you and the Biden administration plan to address the ongoing challenges
that air travel faces during this pandemic from a safety and economic
perspective?
Answer. The Biden-Harris Administration has acted swiftly to combat
COVID-19, including numerous Executive Orders aimed at protecting
travelers and reducing the spread of COVID-19. I know the Department
implemented CDC's mask mandates for public transportation, enhanced
civil penalties for noncompliant passengers that create safety risks
onboard aircraft, and provided aircrews with educational materials they
can use to inform the flying public. However, we must also look beyond
the pandemic to our future operations. For example, aircraft fleets
that have been idle for more than a year will be returning to service,
and the FAA is preparing to ramp up inspections, training and personnel
staffing on site as air traffic starts to recover. If confirmed, I will
work with Secretary Buttigieg and the FAA to assure aviation safety is
our top priority as we return to post-pandemic life. Lessons learned
from the pandemic will help us better prepare for future challenges
that will stress our operations.
Question 3. DOT has approximately 55,000 employees. What experience
do you believe makes you most qualified to help lead an agency of this
size?
Answer. I have nearly three decades of operational, managerial, and
policymaking experience, including the last seven years as the
Commissioner of the New York City Department of Transportation, a high-
profile transportation agency of nearly 6,000 employees and a multi-
billion operating and capital budget, which oversees one of the
Nation's largest urban roadway, bridge, and traffic operations systems
as well as the second largest passenger ferry system.
I also served at the DOT in the Obama Administration as both
Undersecretary for Policy, the number three official at the agency, and
Assistant Secretary for Policy and I am very familiar with the
operations, procedures, challenges and needs of the Department.
Question 4. As Deputy Secretary of Transportation, how would you
address the fact that the Highway Trust Fund (HTF) is going insolvent,
and do you believe we need to increase the Federal gas tax?
Answer. Since 2008, the ongoing and growing imbalance between
Highway Trust Fund spending and receipts has remained a significant
issue. If confirmed, I will work with Federal partners, the Committee
and with the other key Committees to address our long-standing funding
challenges.
Question 5. As Governor of Florida, I rejected Federal taxpayer
dollars to fund high-speed rail because it would have put Floridians on
the hook for hundreds of millions of dollars. Instead, the state of
Florida worked to find a creative solution that would allow for private
investment in high-speed rail--which means zero financial risk for
Florida taxpayers. We've seen what happened in California, where the
Department of Transportation cancelled nearly $1 billion in Federal
money for its high-speed rail project.
How do you see the Department of Transportation addressing
Federal grant money requests for high-speed rail? How will you
ensure taxpayers aren't on the hook for waste, fraud and abuse?
What do you see as the private sector's role in high-speed
rail?
Answer. If confirmed as Deputy Secretary, I commit to working with
Secretary Buttigieg, interagency partners, and Congress to make sure
that America has the safest, cleanest, and most efficient rail system
in the world. I look forward to working with Congress to improve
passenger rail service while at the same time focusing on
environmental, safety, and economic benefits, especially in
historically disadvantaged areas and underserved corridors. In
addition, I look forward to working with both private and public-sector
entities to explore options that would help us expand our rail network
all across the country.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cynthia Lummis to
Polly E. Trottenberg
Question 1. Does the Biden Administration plan to release a
comprehensive blueprint for the upcoming highway bill reauthorization?
If so, when can members of this committee expect to see a
copy?
Will this blueprint include recommendations to Congress for
possible pay-fors?
Answer. If confirmed, I will work closely with Secretary Buttigieg,
this Committee, and with the other key Committees as Congress works to
craft a multi-year reauthorization proposal that meets the needs of all
communities, including rural communities. I will also work with the
Administration, Secretary Buttigieg and the relevant congressional
Committees to address the program's long-standing fiscal challenges.
Question 2. Do you believe that budgetary constraints on staffing
in rural states place them at a competitive disadvantage when it comes
to applying for discretionary grants from DOT?
If so, are there efforts underway to streamline the
application process to ease the administrative burden on
states?
Is the administration concerned with the addition of new
grant programs in lieu of formula funds that would increase the
administrative burden on states applying for funds?
Answer. When I served previously at DOT, the Department provided
technical assistance to many low-resource applicants, and we
successfully made awards to projects in some of the most rural and
remote regions of the U.S. In fact, I found these programs were
particularly popular with many communities who otherwise do not have
access to Federal transportation funding distributed through
traditional formula programs. If confirmed, I will ensure that all
applicants with eligible projects have the opportunity to compete on a
level-playing field.
Question 3. Do you believe that existing grant programs, such as
BUILD or INFRA, successfully balance urban needs with those of rural
states?
Answer. The INFRA and BUILD programs have been both popular and
successful in large part because they have enabled local jurisdictions
to apply directly for funding. If I am confirmed, I will ensure that
the DOT implements a balanced investment program that meets the needs
of all communities, including rural communities. I understand that
rural communities have unique needs, including resource challenges and
extensive unmet maintenance. I also know that infrastructure
investments in rural America are key to supporting economic growth and
to ensuring that residents have access to jobs, education and essential
basic services like health care. If confirmed, I will also ensure that
discretionary grant programs meet the requirements set forth by
Congress in legislation.
Question 4. Is DOT considering significant updates to its National
Performance Management Measures (23 CFR 490)? If so, please list what
changes or additions are under consideration.
Answer. I am not aware of any public statements considering
significant updates to the National Performance Management Measures but
will commit to report updates to the Committee when they are
considered.
Question 5. Do you consider the seven-year average timeline for
Federal permitting on infrastructure to be an adequate timeline?
If not, what updates are under consideration to expedite
project delivery?
Should Congress codify deadlines for Federal permitting of
infrastructure projects?
Does the Biden Administration plan to rescind or amend the
One Federal Decision policy?
Answer. I recognize the importance of identifying improvements to
our Federal permitting system that can incorporate the voices of
stakeholders and efficiently deliver the projects that communities
need. I commit to ensuring that we make investments and implement
programs that enable our transportation system to support economic
growth and opportunity for all Americans.
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