Chairman Cruz announces executive session to markup Bradbury nomination on February 27^th

WASHINGTON, D.C. – At the Senate Commerce Committee hearing last week, President Donald Trump’s nominee to be U.S. Deputy Secretary of Transportation, Steven Bradbury affirmed his commitment to improve transportation safety, invest in cost-beneficial infrastructure improvements, and eliminate burdensome regulations to enhance the Department of Transportation’s effectiveness. Mr. Bradbury received support from over 25 organizations throughout the transportation community. Read the full list HERE.

Chairman Cruz has announced a full committee markup to consider this nomination on Thursday, February 27, 2025 at 10:00 AM in the Commerce Committee hearing room, SR-253.                                                                                                                                       

Below is a sampling of statements in support of Steven Bradbury’s nomination from transportation organizations representing entities nationwide:

Airlines for America: “Mr. Bradbury is uniquely qualified to become the next Deputy Secretary at DOT. He previously served as the General Counsel at the DOT and as the chief legal officer, where he skillfully led DOT’s rulemaking, guidance and enforcement matters with a staunch and appropriate adherence to facts, data, statute and Congressional intent that play such an important role in the integrity of not only DOT but any institution. In his prior tenure at DOT, he also served as the Acting Deputy Secretary of Transportation and then Acting Secretary of Transportation for a brief time, demonstrating his value as an asset to the Department. In addition to his public service, Mr. Bradbury has had a distinguished career in the private sector as a litigation partner for two prestigious law firms where he focused on regulatory enforcement and investigations, rulemaking, appellate cases and antitrust issues.”

American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO): “We at the American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials (AASHTO) write to express our support for Steven G. Bradbury, nominated by President Trump to serve as the nation’s next Deputy Secretary of Transportation. Having previously served as Acting Deputy Secretary and General Counsel of the US Department of Transportation (USDOT), we believe Deputy Secretary-designate Bradbury brings uniquely qualified leadership experience and understanding of USDOT to help deliver the safety, mobility, and innovation goals outlined by Secretary Sean Duffy.”

American Trucking Association (ATA): “Mr. Bradbury’s previous experience at DOT during President Trump's first term in office makes him uniquely qualified for this important role. His familiarity with the inner workings of the agency ensures that he will be completely prepared to hit the ground running upon his confirmation, and Secretary Duffy will have the confidence to lean on his insights and expertise as they work to address pressing transportation challenges. In addition to Mr. Bradbury’s government service, he also possesses an extensive record as a litigator, which would be an invaluable asset on issues related to regulatory enforcement. This is of particular concern to the trucking industry, as we seek commonsense rulemakings that enhance our ability to safely and efficiently deliver the nation’s freight. Based on Mr. Bradbury’s record, we believe that he would undoubtedly facilitate a trustworthy partnership between Congress, DOT, and the commercial motor vehicle industry.”

American Waterways Operators (AWO): “We applaud the nomination of Steve Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Department of Transportation because of his outstanding record of support for maritime commerce during the first Trump Administration. AWO looks forward to working with Mr. Bradbury on enhancing the economic value of the towing industry to America’s supply chain.”

Associated General Contractors of America (AGC): “With his extensive background in public service and expertise in transportation policy, Mr. Bradbury is well-qualified to help the DOT in advancing safe and efficient transportation systems across the country. During his tenure as the DOT’s General Counsel and Acting Deputy Secretary, he played a pivotal role in advancing major transportation infrastructure initiatives, including efforts to streamline regulatory processes, improve project delivery timelines, and enhance safety measures for both highway and transit projects. His leadership was instrumental in implementing reforms to the National Environmental Policy Act (NEPA) to accelerate the construction of critical infrastructure projects, as well as in overseeing the development of automated vehicle policies to support innovation in transportation.”

Commercial Space Federation (CSF): “Mr. Bradbury is a distinguished public servant who is exceptionally qualified to serve as the Deputy Secretary of Transportation. As DOT General Counsel, he played a pivotal role in implementing Space Policy Directive-2 (SPD-2) focusing on streamlining commercial space regulations. His deep understanding of commercial space licensing processes will be critical to lessening the regulatory burden on commercial operators, expediting the timelines for licensing determinations, and providing appropriate support to the Federal Aviation Administration Office of Commercial Space Transportation (FAA-AST). CSF looks forward to working with Mr. Bradbury to ensure that the United States remains the global leader in commercial space.”

National Association of Country Engineers (NACE): “The National Association of County Engineers (NACE) strongly supports the confirmation of Steve Bradbury as the next Deputy Secretary of Transportation. With an extensive background in transportation policy, legal affairs, and infrastructure development, Mr. Bradbury is exceptionally well-qualified to support the nation’s transportation network and the critical needs of local and county road systems. Throughout his career, including his tenure as General Counsel and Acting Deputy Secretary at the U.S. Department of Transportation, Mr. Bradbury has demonstrated a deep understanding of transportation challenges, regulatory frameworks, and safety initiatives. His ability to engage collaboratively with stakeholders across all subdivisions of government has been instrumental in advancing effective transportation policies…Mr. Bradbury’s expertise in regulatory reform, project delivery, and transportation safety will be invaluable in addressing the pressing infrastructure needs of counties nationwide. We urge Congress to swiftly confirm Mr. Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation to ensure continued leadership and progress in strengthening our nation’s transportation systems.”

National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC): “The National Association of Small Trucking Companies (NASTC) strongly supports the confirmation of Steve Bradbury as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. With his extensive experience in transportation policy, regulatory oversight, and infrastructure development, Mr. Bradbury is well-equipped to address the challenges facing the trucking industry—especially small, independent carriers that are the backbone of America’s supply chain.”

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