Commerce Committee to Hold DOT Nominations Hearing June 11
Senators are likely to press two senior Department of Transportation officials on highway funding, safety and freight policy when a committee considers their nominations June 11 for top jobs at the department.
The Senate Commerce, Science and Transportation Committee will consider the nominations of Victor Mendez to become the deputy secretary and Peter Rogoff for undersecretary for policy.
Mendez and Rogoff fill those roles in an acting capacity.
Mendez has served as deputy secretary since December. He took over for John Porcari, who left for a position at the management company Parsons Brinckerhoff. Mendez also is the chief of the Federal Highway Administration. Rogoff, the top officer at the Federal Transit Administration, took over provisionally for Polly Trottenberg when she left DOT to run New York City’s transportation unit.
Last month, President Obama picked Mendez and Rogoff to fill those posts permanently.
Mendez was confirmed for the FHWA post in 2009. Prior to that, he oversaw Arizona's Transportation Department under then-Gov. Janet Napolitano. Rogoff was a former Senate appropriations staffer who was confirmed for the FTA job in 2009.
Consideration by the full Senate is possible before the congressional August recess. The hearing is scheduled for 2:30 p.m.
