In The News

Obama has yet to name FMCSA chief 100 days into job

WASHINGTON — One hundred days into his administration, President Barack Obama has yet to nominate a candidate for a key post in the Department of Transportation.

When asked if the president was making progress in choosing a nominee to become administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, an administration official said the White House was moving to fill “this important position as quickly as possible with the most qualified person for the job.”

The FMCSA is currently under the leadership of Rose McMurray, who is serving as acting deputy administrator.

McMurray is the FMCSA’s chief safety officer and assistant administrator, both career positions in the agency.

Obama has nominated persons to fill other key DOT posts that have direct impact on the trucking industry — John D. Porcari to be DOT deputy secretary, Victor M. Mendez as administrator of the Federal Highway Administration, Peter H. Appel as administrator of DOT’s Research and Innovative Technology Administration, and Charles H. Hurley as administrator of the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

The names of Porcari, Mendez and Appel have been sent to the Senate for confirmation, according to the White House Web site, but none have been confirmed according to the Senate Web site.

A myriad of issues faces the next FMCSA administrator, not the least of which is a replacement for the Cross Border Demonstration Project killed by Congress last month.

Other issues include, but are not necessarily limited t the Hours of Service rule litigation; the final rule on electronic onboard recorders, which was withdrawn from the Office of Budget and Management; the National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners; the Commercial Driver’s Testing and Commercial Learner’s Permit Standards; and Minimum Training Requirements for Entry-Level Commercial Motor Vehicle Operations.

Lyndon Finney, editor of The Trucker may be reached to comment at [email protected] .