In The News

Obama to visit Transportation Department Tuesday

WASHINGTON — On Tuesday, President Obama will visit the Department of Transportation and deliver remarks, according to the advance White House schedule for the week. A topic or agenda for his time at the DOT was not released.

Congress and new Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood have made it clear that an early priority for the department will be the Federal Aviation Administration, with an emphasis on resolving a long-running dispute with air traffic controllers and modernizing the air traffic control system with “next-generation” technology.

The Obama administration has yet to name the heads of the various modal agencies within DOT. Of special interest to truckers are the Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, the Federal Highway Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration.

Also recently, LaHood and the White House have expressed differening views with regard to the possibility of a vehicle mile tax as a future replacement for the tax on diesel fuel and gasoline that supports the Highway Trust Fund. The transportation secretary, a congressional commission, and key House leaders suggest the VMT needs to be considered along with a range of gas tax alternatives. A White House spokesman said flatly the miles tax would not be supported by the President.

The White House must also consider the desire by Congress to halt the cross-border trucking project with Mexico (administered by the DOT) versus NAFTA treaty obligations and possible trade sanctions by Mexico.

Later on Tuesday, Obama will meet with British Prime Minister Gordon Brown in the Oval Office.

 On Thursday, the President will host the White House Forum on Health Reform. The summit will bring together stakeholders from across the spectrum and members of Congress from both parties, according to the official schedule.

On Friday, the President will travel to Columbus, Ohio. More details will be released early next week.

Kevin Jones of The Trucker staff can be reached for comment at [email protected] .