FMCSA Nominee Derek Barrs Moves to Senate Floor
[Stay on top of transportation news: .]
WASHINGTON — The nominee to lead the country’s top trucking regulatory agency took one step closer to being confirmed by the Senate.
Derek Barrs, nominated by President Donald Trump to the top post at the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, was easily approved by the Commerce Committee July 30. The panel’s action advanced his nomination to the Senate floor for a vote.
The chamber’s Republican leaders have signaled the potential for scheduling a vote on top White House nominees as early as this summer.
Barrs, a former Florida Highway Patrol chief, has more than three decades in public safety and is considered an authority on commercial vehicle safety. During a hearing, he told senators his approach to the agency would consist of cooperation and establishing connections with stakeholders.
“My work has always emphasized open communication and collaboration — with industry, law enforcement and safety organizations,” he told the Senate panel. “I understand that FMCSA’s actions impact an entire industry, and I am committed to ensuring that agency decisions are informed, balanced and transparent. If confirmed, I will continue to strengthen relationships between government and stakeholders, working together on our shared goal of improving roadway safety, as well as addressing critical safety issues.”
Specific to emerging technologies, he responded to written questions from senators by noting, “FMCSA should support innovation while ensuring the highest level of safety on our nation’s roadways. This means FMCSA must guarantee the safe integration of Automated Driving Systems-equipped commercial motor vehicles. A critical component of this is ensuring that these vehicles meet a level of safety that is equivalent to or greater than the safety standards we currently have in place for all commercial motor vehicles.”
If confirmed, Barrs would fill a senior role as the Department of Transportation promotes highway safety and technological innovation.
American Trucking Associations praised the nominee, touting Barrs’ record as well as his vision for the federal agency.
“Over the past 20 years, Derek Barrs has built his career in law enforcement and the commercial motor vehicle industry around one singular goal: to make our roads safer for all motorists,” . “We appreciate the members of the Senate Commerce Committee recognizing Derek’s laudable commitment by voting to approve his nomination to be FMCSA administrator. This role is vitally important to the 8.5 million Americans who work in trucking-related jobs. Derek has the qualifications and expertise that will make him exceptionally well prepared to take on this challenge, and under his leadership, the trucking industry is confident that FMCSA will make significant progress towards achieving our shared priorities of improving highway safety and efficiently delivering the nation’s freight. We urge the Senate to confirm him to this position at the earliest possible opportunity.”
Tim Haynes of Penske Transportation Solutions discusses how AI is being applied to fleet management, from predictive maintenance to route optimization.Tune in above or by going to .
The Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance also endorsed Barrs. “On behalf of the Commercial Vehicle Safety Alliance, which represents the 13,000 commercial motor vehicle safety inspectors throughout North America, I want to congratulate Mr. Barrs on his nomination to serve as FMCSA administrator,” said .
Also awaiting votes on the Senate floor are Marc Molinaro to lead the Federal Transit Administration, David Fink for the Federal Railroad Administration and Sean McMaster to run the Federal Highway Administration.
McMaster told senators he would look to further streamline the permitting process for major infrastructure projects. As he put it: “If confirmed, I 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. I know from experience that this is achievable.”
Want more news? Listen to today's daily briefing belowor go here for more info:
