WASHINGTON – U.S. Sen. John Thune (R-S.D.), chairman of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation, issued the following statement on the confirmation of key Department of Transportation nominees: 

“Even as his confirmation languished, consensus that Ronald Batory was highly qualified to serve as administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration never waned. His conformation is a win for railroad safety and I expect him to have an impact,” said Thune. “I’m also pleased to see Ray Martinez confirmed as the administrator for the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration and Adam Sullivan as Assistant Secretary of Government Affairs. They are also highly qualified and will help the Department of Transportation fufill its mission. I look forward to working with all three officials in the months ahead.”

This evening, by voice vote, the Senate confirmed the following nominations:

• Mr. Ronald L. Batory, to be Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration
• Mr. Raymond Martinez, to be Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration
• Mr. Adam Sullivan, to be Assistant Secretary of Governmental Affairs

In December, Thune took to the Senate floor to make the case for the confirmation of Batory as the chief federal rail safety official.