WASHINGTON, D.C. - The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation held a full committee hearing today on nominations. 

Witness List:

Mr. David T. Matsuda, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Mr. Michael Huerta, to be Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

Key Quotations from Today’s Hearing:

“I applaud the nominees today for choosing to answer the call of our President and further their public service. They bring an impeccable level of expertise in their respective fields that will help us tackle some of our nation’s most difficult challenges. Mr. Matsuda, a former fellow of this committee, offers impressive leadership that is necessary to address the development of marine highways as an extension of our surface transportation system and improve freight mobility and intermodal capacity enhancement to our nations ports. In addition, Mr. Huerta’s experience in the transportation industry gives him a useful perspective as the FAA moves forward on the NextGen initiative. I look forward to seeing these talented public servants where they belong—on the job for the American people.”

Chairman John D. (Jay) Rockefeller IV

“We need someone at MARAD who understands the role of the maritime sector in our economy and our national security—and how all our nation’s transportation modes fit together. I know David is the man for the job. David has unparalleled expertise in transportation issues: if it moves, David understands how it works. We have worked together on laws that fundamentally change rail travel in this country, strengthen our nation’s oil pollution prevention and response programs and improve security at our nation’s seaports. I look forward to working with him again in this new role.”

Senator Frank R. Lautenberg, Chairman of the U.S. Senate Subcommittee on Surface Transportation and Merchant Marine Infrastructure, Safety, and Security

“In all, 36 states have a maritime port—whether it's on a river, lake, gulf, or ocean. Merchant mariners live in just about every state in the Union, and midshipmen nominated by you and your colleagues to study at the U.S. Merchant Marine Academy can claim home to all but one state. Some states have shipyards or marine manufacturers which can be the largest sources of jobs in an entire community or region. I feel that these basic elements of our maritime transportation system are influenced by the many federal programs managed by the Maritime Administration.”

Mr. David T. Matsuda, to be Administrator of the Maritime Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

“NextGen is in fact a system of systems, which must all work together in a coordinated fashion to improve the safety and efficiency of our nation’s aviation system. Its successful deployment has been identified both by Secretary LaHood and Administrator Babbitt as a critical objective for their tenure. I am committed to do everything I can to help ensure that objective is met.”

Mr. Michael Huerta, to be Deputy Administrator of the Federal Aviation Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation

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