Congress Breathes New Life Into Transportation Board

Congress made little headway on trucking-related issues in 1999 aside from creating the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration.

	Looking back
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Perhaps the second-greatest legislative achievement of the year came when Congress gave the Surface Transportation Board its full complement of three members for the first time in the board’s four-year history.

The Senate swiftly confirmed the nomination of William Clyburn, a Democrat, to the board after President Clinton submitted the nomination of Republican Wayne Burkes. Clyburn’s 1998 nomination was delayed after Republican Gus Owen withdrew his nomination for a second term. Senate Republicans refused to vote on Clyburn’s nomination in 1998 until the GOP vacancy was filled.

There was suspense for much of the year over whether Clinton would reappoint STB Chairman Linda J. Morgan to a second term.

For the full story, see the Jan. 10 print edition of Transport Topics. Subscribe today.