Chao Confirmed as Secretary of Transportation

The U.S. Senate on Tuesday confirmed Elaine L. Chao as the new federal secretary of transportation. The vote was 93-6.

Chao is the only member of the Donald L. Trump administration cabinet to have previously served as a cabinet secretary, having been secretary of labor in the George W. Bush administration.

She drew bipartisan praise during her confirmation hearings and on the Senate floor.

Chao also served as chairman of the Federal Maritime Commission.

Her confirmation was lauded by the Association of American Railroads and the American Short Line and Regional Railroad Association.

Both trade associations are expecting Chao to take a railroad industry friendly approach to regulation.

“Ms. Chao has a deep appreciation of critical surface transportation issues. This includes the important role the rail industry plays in this country,” said Edward R. Hamberger, AAR president.

Amtrak Board Chairman Tony Coscia congratulated Chao, saying he looked forward to working with her to strengthen Amtrak. The DOT secretary has a seat on the Amtrak board of directors.

Senate Confirms 2 for Amtrak Board

The Senate has confirmed the appointments of Tony Coscia and Derek Kan to the Amtrak board of directors.

Coscia is currently chairman of the Amtrak board and received another five-year term.

“I thank the administration and Senate for the nomination and confirmation to continue to help guide the future of America’s Railroad,” he said in a statement. “We have made significant progress during my five years on the board, and I look forward to working with the other board members, executive leadership and the employees to continue to grow ridership, increase operational efficiencies and improve the company’s financial position.”

Kan is new to the Amtrak board and is a California resident who is director of strategy at Genapsys. Previously, he served as a management consultant at Bain & Company and as an adviser at Elliott Management.

Coscia has served on the Amtrak board since June 2010. He is a partner at Windels Marx Lane & Mittendorf LLP. Between 2003 and 2011, Coscia was chairman of the board of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.