Foxx Confirmed as Transportation Secretary

WASHINGTON — The Senate voted a unanimous 100-0 Thursday to confirm Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx as the new U.S. Secretary of Transportation.

Foxx, 42, replaces outgoing secretary Ray LaHood, who honored his vow not to serve through President Obama’s second term and announced his intention to step down earlier this year. Foxx was a noncontroversial choice, breezing through the confirmation process.

“We congratulate Anthony Foxx on his confirmation as U.S. transportation secretary and we look forward to continuing the strong partnership that exists between our organizations,” said American Association of State Highway and Transportation Officials executive director Bud Wright. “In his confirmation testimony Mr. Foxx pledged to continue his predecessor’s campaign against distracted driving, look for creative ways to fund the nation’s highway and transit programs, and encourage the use of innovative technologies. AASHTO shares these priorities and we look forward to working with the Secretary as he addresses the challenges and opportunities that lie ahead.”

Supporters hailed  as a good choice to take the reigns at the Department of Transportation,  citing his experience as a mayor and his time as an attorney for a bus manufacturer. Foxx does not have much experience navigating the Washington political scene, in contrast with the former congressman LaHood.

“We congratulate Anthony Foxx on his confirmation as Secretary of Transportation,” said Airports Council International-North America board chairman David N. Edwards, Jr. “Having served as the mayor of Charlotte, N.C., secretary Foxx recognizes the importance of airports in generating economic activity and creating jobs throughout the United States. ACI-NA looks forward to collaboratively working with secretary Foxx and the Department of Transportation to ensure that our nation’s airports have the financial resources to ensure the safety and security of travelers and to maintain the global competitiveness of the U.S. aviation industry.”

Foxx, who has been mayor of Charlotte since 2009, will have to vacate that position. He will face several challenges operating in a constrained fiscal environment, including the reauthorization and implementation of a new highway bill next year.

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