FHWA Nominee McMaster Promotes Permitting Reform, Safety
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Sean McMaster, nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration, appeared before the Senate Environment and Public Works Committee on May 14, the first step of his confirmation process.
During his hearing, the nominee told senators he would prioritize proposals designed to streamline the permitting process for infrastructure projects. Transportation Secretary Sean Duffy has emphasized a similar viewpoint.
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We must further streamline project delivery, including the permitting process, McMaster told the panel, adding that if confirmed by the Senate he would look forward to working with the secretary and Congress on ways to improve efficiency and reduce costs so more of the funds being invested in our infrastructure will go to building the infrastructure.
McMaster also pointed to ongoing efforts to improve the nations safety and efficiency along mobility corridors. As the [Trump] administration and Congress embark on this transformation through the accelerated deployment of critical projects, further reductions in red tape, common-sense solutions for infrastructure needs and reauthorization legislation, it is critically important that we fully understand the unique challenges affecting states throughout the country, he continued.
RELATED: Trump Looks to Boost Use of Technology to Speed Up Permitting
At the agency, McMasters portfolio would include managing funds approved in the $1.2 trillion Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act. The Biden-era bipartisan infrastructure law provides more than $500 billion for highway-centric projects.
EPW Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito, pictured earlier this year, expressed her support for McMaster's nomination. (U.S. Senate Committee on Environment & Public Works)
EPW Chairwoman Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) touted the nominees qualifications at the hearing. She also looked ahead at Congress consideration next year of comprehensive surface transportation legislation. One challenge that the FHWA administrator must quickly tackle is the significant backlog of announced grants that do not have signed grant agreements in place, Capito said. This inherited workload will require diligence and collaboration to resolve. I am hopeful that Mr. McMaster [will be] confirmed; his experience and leadership at FHWA will accelerate this process. This committee also looks forward to working with FHWA and others on the long-term, bipartisan surface transportation reauthorization bill.
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Sen. Sheldon Whitehouse (D-R.I.), the panels ranking member, argued Congress legislative agenda would benefit from greater bipartisanship. As he put it, Ive told my team to start work on common-sense bipartisan legislation in all three areas. But the gateway to success to ultimately passing those bills is confidence that this administration will faithfully execute the laws we pass and clear the projects we have already approved, appropriated and obligated. It wont work in permitting reform, for instance, to exclude wind and solar from the very definition of the word energy, violating not just the law, but the dictionary.
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On the House side, the Transportation and Infrastructure leadership expressed support for the FHWA nominee. Committee Chairman Sam Graves (R-Mo.) and Highways and Transit Subcommittee Chairman David Rouzer (R-N.C.) wrote the day before the hearing: President [Donald] Trump made a great choice in nominating Sean for this important position, and we are glad to see the Senate moving forward with his nomination hearing. Sean is a knowledgeable and seasoned infrastructure policy expert, with years of experience in the transportation sector. He also has valuable experience as a high-ranking Department of Transportation official during President Trumps first term.
Sean has a strong understanding of the legislative process, and we are confident that under his leadership at FHWA, Sean will be indispensable as Congress works with the administration to pass a multiyear surface transportation reauthorization bill to improve our roads and bridges, move people and goods safely and efficiently, and get America building again, they added. The House panel also is tasked with considering a version of the multiyear highway bill.
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McMaster was a senior official at the Department of Transportation during Trumps first term. Before that, he was a longtime congressional aide.
On the Commerce Committee on May 13, senators reviewed the qualifications of David Fink to lead the Federal Railroad Administration. If confirmed, Fink told panel members, he would promote safety technology out in the field, working to make the rail system even safer. Commerce Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) endorsed the agencys nominee, noting he knows the ins and outs of the industry and is deeply committed to the FRAs core mission safety and will ensure it remains top of mind in all regulatory actions.
Committee votes to advance the two nominations to the Senate floor have yet to be scheduled.
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