[Senate Hearing 115-581]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 115-581
NOMINATION TO THE AMTRAK BOARD
OF DIRECTORS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION, THE FEDERAL MOTOR
CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, AND
THE NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
=======================================================================
HEARING
BEFORE THE
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
__________
OCTOBER 31, 2017
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
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Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
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SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED FIFTEENTH CONGRESS
FIRST SESSION
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota, Chairman
ROGER F. WICKER, Mississippi BILL NELSON, Florida, Ranking
ROY BLUNT, Missouri MARIA CANTWELL, Washington
TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
DEAN HELLER, Nevada CORY BOOKER, New Jersey
JAMES INHOFE, Oklahoma TOM UDALL, New Mexico
MIKE LEE, Utah GARY PETERS, Michigan
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
CORY GARDNER, Colorado MAGGIE HASSAN, New Hampshire
TODD YOUNG, Indiana CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO, Nevada
Nick Rossi, Staff Director
Adrian Arnakis, Deputy Staff Director
Jason Van Beek, General Counsel
Kim Lipsky, Democratic Staff Director
Chris Day, Democratic Deputy Staff Director
Renae Black, Senior Counsel
C O N T E N T S
----------
Page
Hearing held on October 31, 2017................................. 1
Statement of Senator Blunt....................................... 1
Letter dated October 11, 2017 to Chairman John Thune from
Clifford Winston, Senior Fellow, Brookings Institute....... 75
Letter dated October 12, 2017 to Chairman John Thune and
Ranking Member Bill Nelson from Erica L. Groshen, Visiting
Senior Scholar, Cornell University--Industrial and Labor
Relations School........................................... 76
Statement of Senator Booker...................................... 2
Statement of Senator Nelson...................................... 3
Prepared statement........................................... 4
Statement of Senator Klobuchar................................... 73
Statement of Senator Inhofe...................................... 76
Statement of Senator Schatz...................................... 78
Statement of Senator Capito...................................... 79
Statement of Senator Duckworth................................... 81
Letter dated October 25, 2017 to Bruce Landsberg, Nominee as
Board Member, National Transportation Safety Board from
Senators Charles E. Schumer, Richard Blumenthal, Cory A.
Booker, Tammy Duckworth, Margaret Wood Hassan and Kirsten
Gillibrand................................................. 83
Letter dated October 30, 2017 to Hon. Tammy Duckworth from
Bruce Landsberg............................................ 85
Article dated June 19, 2009 entitled, ``Starting a trade war
with ``Buy America'' by Diana Furchtgott-Roth.............. 86
Article dated October 25, 2017 from Bloomberg Business Week
entitled, ``Under Trump Made in America is Losing Out to
Russian Steel''............................................ 87
Letter dated October 30, 2017 to Hon. John Thune and Hon.
Bill Nelson from Linda A. Lipsen, Chief Executive Officer,
American Association for Justice........................... 90
Statement of Senator Cruz........................................ 91
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 92
Statement of Senator Cortez Masto................................ 94
Statement of Senator Thune....................................... 98
Statement of Senator Markey...................................... 100
Statement of Senator Baldwin..................................... 102
Statement of Senator Peters...................................... 103
Statement of Senator Hassan...................................... 108
Statement of opposition dated October 27, 2017 by Emily
Martin, General Counsel and Vice President for Workplace
Justice, National Women's Law Center....................... 109
Witnesses
Hon. Johnny Isakson, U.S. Senator from Georgia................... 1
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak......................................................... 4
Prepared statement........................................... 5
Biographical information..................................... 6
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Nominee for Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation..... 11
Prepared statement........................................... 12
Biographical information..................................... 13
Raymond P. Martinez, Nominee for Administrator of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation................................................. 55
Prepared statement........................................... 57
Biographical information..................................... 58
Bruce S. Landsberg, Nominee to be a Member of the National
Transportation Safety Board.................................... 65
Prepared statement........................................... 66
Biographical information..................................... 66
Appendix
Letter dated September 29, 2017 in support of Raymond Martinez to
Hon. Jon Thune and Hon. Bill Nelson from Chris Spear, President
and CEO, American Trucking Associations........................ 115
Letter dated November 2, 2017 in support of Diana Furtchgott-Roth
to Chairman John Thune from Deborah Lucas, Sloan Distinguished
Professor of Finance and Director, MIT Golub Center for Finance
and Policy..................................................... 115
Letter dated November 3, 2017 in support of Diana Furtchgott-Roth
to Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson from Mark
J. Perry, Ph.D., Professor of Economics and Finance, University
of Michigan-Flint.............................................. 116
Letter dated November 4, 2017 in support of Diana Furtchgott-Roth
to Chairman John Thune from Neil Gilbert, Chernin Professor of
Social Welfare, University of California, Berkeley............. 117
Letter dated November 6, 2017 in support of Diana Furtchgott-Roth
to Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson from
Douglas J. Besharo, Professor, School of Public Policy,
University of Maryland......................................... 117
Letter dated November 7, 2017 in support of Diana Furtchgott-Roth
to Chairman John Thune and Ranking Member Bill Nelson from
Robert I. Lerman, Institute Fellow, Urban Institute; and
Emeritus Professor of Economics, American University........... 118
Response to written questions submitted to Hon. Leon (Lynn) A.
Westmoreland by:
Hon. Roger F. Wicker......................................... 118
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 119
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 119
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 120
Hon. Edward Markey and Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto........... 122
Hon. Cory Booker............................................. 122
Hon. Maggie Hassan........................................... 123
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto.................................. 123
Response to written questions submitted to Diana Furchtgott-Roth
by:
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 123
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 124
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 125
Hon. Brian Schatz............................................ 130
Hon. Cory Booker............................................. 131
Hon. Maggie Hassan........................................... 131
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto.................................. 132
Response to written questions submitted to Raymond P. Martinez
by:
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 132
Hon. Deb Fischer............................................. 132
Hon. Jim Inhofe.............................................. 133
Hon. Todd Young.............................................. 134
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 134
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 135
Hon. Richard Blumenthal and Hon. Edward Markey............... 135
Hon. Cory Booker............................................. 137
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto.................................. 139
Response to written questions submitted to Bruce S. Landsberg by:
Hon. John Thune.............................................. 140
Hon. Bill Nelson............................................. 140
Hon. Maria Cantwell.......................................... 141
Hon. Richard Blumenthal...................................... 141
Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto.................................. 142
NOMINATION TO THE AMTRAK BOARD
OF DIRECTORS, THE U.S. DEPARTMENT
OF TRANSPORTATION, THE FEDERAL MOTOR
CARRIER SAFETY ADMINISTRATION, AND THE
NATIONAL TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
----------
TUESDAY, OCTOBER 31, 2017
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10:05 a.m. in
room SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Roy Blunt,
presiding.
Present: Senators Thune [presiding], Blunt, Cruz, Heller,
Moran, Fischer, Inhofe, Sullivan, Capito, Gardner, Young,
Nelson, Booker, Klobuchar, Schatz, Blumenthal, Markey, Baldwin,
Peters, Hassan, Duckworth, and Cortez Masto.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. ROY BLUNT,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSOURI
Senator Blunt. The hearing will come to order.
I think in the interest of time and both Senator Isakson's
time, I am going to waive my statement. And, Senator Isakson,
we will come to you for your introduction of one of the people
to be at the hearing today, and then we will go to Senator
Booker for whatever opening statement he might make. But,
Senator Isakson, we are glad you are here and we will first go
to you this morning.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHNNY ISAKSON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM GEORGIA
Senator Isakson. Well, Chairman Blunt and Ranking Member
Booker and members of the Committee, it is a pleasure for me to
be here today to introduce a great Georgian. I was asked one
time, when I was introduced as a senior Senator, what does a
senior Senator do. I said, ``well, if your Little League team
wins the National World Series in Williamsport, you go to have
your picture taken at the White House with them, and if
somebody from your state is nominated to be on the Cabinet of
the President or appointed to a Federal position, you get to
introduce them.''
The second one is my introduction today, which is my
pleasure to introduce Lynn Westmoreland, not just to the
Commerce Committee for his confirmation, but to the country for
its approval for the Amtrak Board.
Lynn Westmoreland is a guy I have known for a long, long
time. We toiled in the vineyards of State representatives a
long, long time in Georgia. Lynn rose to be the Republican
leader of the Georgia House of Representatives, did a
phenomenal job.
In business, he was a homebuilder of great renown, a local
builder who understood local problems, understood growth, and
understood transportation. There is nobody better to have on a
transportation board and authority than a user and consumer of
the infrastructure of transportation. And Atlanta is probably
the poster child for the need for more improvements in
transportation, for intermodal transportation, for the use of
rail, for the use of roads, for the use of airplanes, for the
use of everything to get people where they are going and to
organize it and to plan it.
And nobody is more conservative and fiscally responsible
than Lynn Westmoreland. In all the years I served in the
state--and this is my thirty-ninth year in elected office in
Georgia--I have known lots and lots of people who have come and
gone. I know of no one who has made a greater contribution to
his state and served better as a public servant than Lynn
Westmoreland.
So as the senior Senator from Georgia, to all of you, I am
proud to introduce a great citizen of my state, one who
understands transportation as well as anyone, one who will be a
great counselor and board member to the Amtrak Board, and one
who will serve the United States of America well for a long
time, Mr. Lynn Westmoreland from the State of Georgia. And I am
honored to have this occasion. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator. Thanks for joining us
this morning. I know you have other things you are going to
have to do, and we appreciate and understand that.
Before we call the witnesses up, Senator Booker, do you
have some opening comments you would like to make?
STATEMENT OF HON. CORY BOOKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW JERSEY
Senator Booker. Let me just first express my gratitude to
our colleague for being here. We were talking here before that
you are sitting there so low that we felt we should get you a
seat that is higher than all of us up here. That would have
been the respectful thing to do, sir. But thank you very much
as always for coming in here.
Senator Isakson. Cory, the older you get, the shorter you
get. You start out at 5,11" and a half 72 years ago. I am down
to 5,10" and shrinking now.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. Sir, that has happened for me because I
used to be about 6,8" with my afro, but now I am only 6,3".
[Laughter.]
Senator Isakson. You are still standing tall in my book,
sir.
Senator Booker. I look up to you, sir, no matter how tall
you are.
Mr. Chairman, thank you for leading this hearing, and I
want to just let folks know that I am grateful for all the
nominees who are here and willing to put themselves forward. I
want to thank them for their willingness to serve the American
people.
As I have worked for some time with many of my colleagues
on the other side of the aisle really trying to focus in on the
issue of transportation safety, it should be one of our highest
priorities. Unfortunately, it is one of the most common ways
people die in the United States of America is in crashes. We
have in truck crashes alone thousands of people killed every
year. Over 100,000 are injured. It is really unacceptable in
the United States of America to have this level of carnage on
our highways and roads.
I would like to acknowledge a lot of folks here today who
are family members of truck crash victims in the audience who
come here regularly to these Subcommittees not just driven by
their own grief and their own tragedies in their families, but
really the noble desire to make sure this does not happen to
other families. And I truly respect that as being a sign of
patriotism and love of country.
I look forward to hearing how some of the nominees are
concerned about making sure we continue that safety.
I want to take a moment, though, to talk about Christopher
Hart. The President nominated folks into a seat formerly held
by Chairman Christopher Hart. This will result in a balance. I
am not sure I understand the motivation. It will shift the
balance, which is now split between two Republicans and two
Democrats, plus one vacancy to a more majority Republican board
with only one Democratic vacant seat. It was not necessary to
do that to get to a Republican majority to replace Mr. Hart. I
believe this could have been avoided if the President instead
made this nomination into the vacant seat, and then we would
have a full board.
I do not want to let this moment pass. Too often people
nominated, Republicans, Democrats, it does not matter--we have
a lot of great people who put themselves forward to serve. And
I do not want to let this moment pass without just talking
about some of the great work that Chris Hart has done. He was
the first black person to serve as Chairman of the Board, a
milestone that I think is worth noting. Mr. Hart has been a
champion for safety and for addressing the impacts of
innovation. For example, under his tenure, the NTSB launched
the first investigation into a commercial space flight accident
and the first investigation of a Tesla vehicle using automated
vehicle control. Under his leadership, the Board was also
ranked one of the top 10 best small agencies to work for in the
Federal Government. That is pretty big because we have too many
agencies, some might think.
I hope to hear how others that are being nominated share
this passion and commitment for public safety. I have a lot of
other issues and concerns, but I am going to save that for the
actual testimony. But I am grateful again to be the Ranking
Member and the Democrat sitting next to you, Chairman Blunt.
Senator Blunt. Well, you are also between me and the other
Ranking Member of the Democrats. Senator Nelson, if you have
any comments you want to make----
STATEMENT OF HON. BILL NELSON,
U.S. SENATOR FROM FLORIDA
Senator Nelson. I will put my opening comments in the
record.
Senator Blunt. In the record.
[The prepared statement of Senator Nelson follows:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Bill Nelson, U.S. Senator from Florida
I appreciate all of you expressing a willingness to serve in these
critical transportation positions.
Infrastructure investment and safety are two top priorities that
are critical for my state of Florida and for communities around the
country.
The infrastructure needs are great and they continue to grow.
Whether it's increasing investment in our highway and transit
systems or restoring rail service along the Gulf Coast.
These investments mean real jobs and real improvements for our
communities.
We also need to make sure our transportation systems are safe.
That means that we're doing everything possible to improve safety
in our skies and on our highways and railways.
I look forward to hearing from our witnesses today.
Senator Blunt. Well, if our witnesses would come to the
table. Today, we have Lynn Westmoreland of Georgia to be
Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors; Diana Furchtgott-
Roth of Maryland to be an Assistant Secretary of Transportation
for Research and Technology; Bruce Landsberg of South Carolina
who is nominated to be a Member of the National Transportation
Safety Board; and Raymond Martinez of New Jersey to be
Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration.
When you all are seated, we will start with Congressman
Westmoreland and whatever part of your testimony you want to
share, and the rest of it, of course, will go into the record.
Lynn Westmoreland.
STATEMENT OF HON. LEON (LYNN) A. WESTMORELAND, NOMINEE TO BE A
DIRECTOR, AMTRAK
Mr. Westmoreland. Thank you, Mr. Chairman and Ranking
Member Nelson and Booker, and members of the Committee. Good
morning. It is a pleasure to be here today and an honor to be
nominated to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors by
President Trump.
Like many Americans, I began my career as a small
businessman running and growing my own business, specializing
in residential and light commercial construction. I developed
an interest in the business as a young man, and once I had
learned about it more, I established and built my own business
which I ran for 20 years before I was elected to Congress. My
experience taught me important lessons that have stayed with me
throughout my life. I learned about the value of the dollar and
the importance of careful management and hard work.
My public career of service started in 1992 when I was
elected to the Georgia House of Representatives where I served
for 12 years. In 2004, I was elected to the U.S. House of
Representatives and proudly served my Congressional
constituents from 2005 to 2017. In the House, I served on the
Committee of Transportation and Infrastructure, Small Business,
Government Reform, and Financial Services, which have prepared
me well for a position on the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Additionally, my service on the House Permanent Select
Committee on Intelligence has equipped me with a unique
perspective on transportation security related matters, and I
am eager to bring this experience to Amtrak in its efforts to
provide the highest level of security across the system.
As you know, the Amtrak Board of Directors is designed by
statute to oversee the operations of the National Railroad
Passenger Corporation, better known as Amtrak, and to manage
and direct its business affairs. The Board sets the strategic
direction for the company within the guidelines set by Congress
through the relevant Federal statutes. As a Director, I would
work closely with the other directors, the U.S. Department of
Transportation, and the management of Amtrak to ensure that the
corporation carries out the mission contained in the statutory
authorization: to efficiently and effectively operate the
Nation's intercity passenger rail system.
I strongly support Amtrak's role in the Nation's
transportation network, and I hope to bring my experience from
both the private and public sectors to the Amtrak Board. It is
my belief that the U.S. taxpayers and Amtrak customers can and
should receive the most efficient and effective intercity
passenger rail service possible. If confirmed, I am committed
to working closely with my colleagues on the board, the
management of the company, the Department of Transportation,
this Committee, and Congress to ensure that Amtrak is managed
as safely and effectively as possible.
Thank you very much for your consideration, and I look
forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Westmoreland follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland,
Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak
Mr. Chairman, Ranking Member Nelson, and members of the Committee.
Good morning. It's a pleasure to be here today, and an honor to be
nominated to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors by President Trump.
Like many Americans, I began my career as a small businessman,
running and growing my own business, specializing in residential and
light commercial construction. I developed an interest in the business
as a young man, and once I had a learned more about it, I established
and built my own business, which I ran for twenty-two years before I
was elected to Congress. My experiences taught me important lessons
that have stayed with me throughout my life. I learned about the value
of a dollar and the importance of careful management and hard work.
My career in public service started in 1992 when I was elected to
the Georgia House of Representatives, where I served for twelve years.
In 2004, I was elected to the U.S. House of Representatives and proudly
served my Congressional constituents from 2005 to 2017. In the House, I
served on the Committees on Transportation and Infrastructure, Small
Business, Government Reform, and Financial Services, which have
prepared me well for a position on the Amtrak Board of Directors.
Additionally, my service on the House Permanent Select Committee on
Intelligence has equipped me with a unique perspective on
transportation security related matters and I am eager to bring this
experience to Amtrak in its efforts to provide the highest level of
security across the system.
As you know, the Amtrak Board of Directors is designed by statute
to oversee the operations of the National Railroad Passenger
Corporation, better known as Amtrak, and to manage and direct its
business affairs. The Board sets the strategic direction for the
company, within the guidelines set by Congress through the relevant
Federal statutes. As a director, I would work closely with the other
directors, the U.S. Department of Transportation, and the management of
Amtrak to ensure that the corporation carries out the mission contained
in its statutory authorization: to efficiently and effectively operate
the Nation's intercity passenger rail system.
This is an important responsibility, and I take it very seriously.
Amtrak serves 46 of the 48 contiguous states, and it operates a truly
national system of transportation. On the National Network, which
includes the long-distance and state supported trains, it provides
important scheduled intercity transportation in many communities that
have lost other transportation options with airline and bus service
contraction in recent years. On the Northeast Corridor, where there are
a multitude of critical infrastructure issues that need to be
addressed, the NEC plays a vital role supporting both regional and
national economic activity.
I strongly support Amtrak's role in the Nation's transportation
network, and I hope to bring my experience from both the private and
public sectors to the Amtrak Board. It is my belief that U.S. taxpayers
and Amtrak customers can and should receive the most efficient and
effective intercity passenger rail service possible. If confirmed, I am
committed to working closely with my colleagues on the Board, the
management of the company, the Department of Transportation, this
Committee, and Congress to ensure that and Amtrak is managed as safely
and efficiently as possible.
Thank you very much for your consideration, and I will be happy to
answer any questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Leon ``Lynn'' Acton Westmoreland, Jr.
2. Position to which nominated: Amtrak Board.
3. Date of Nomination: October 5, 2017.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: P.O. Box 73053 Marietta, Georgia 30007.
5. Date and Place of Birth: Atlanta, Georgia.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Joan Eskew Westmoreland, not employed.
Children: Heather Smith (46 years old), Leon A. Westmoreland
III (45 years old), Marcy Sakrison (42 years old).
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
No college or graduate degrees. Attended Georgia State University
for one year in 1969, no degree awarded.
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
Principal, Westmoreland Strategies LLC (2017 to present)
I manage my own firm providing strategic consulting
services to clients.
I do not provide services to any client that has a
relationship to the railroad industry.
Member, U.S. House of Representatives for District GA-03
(2006-2017).
During my time in Congress, I served on the
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee, including
chairing a subcommittee dealing with railroads.
State Representative for District 104 and 86, Georgia House
of Representatives (1993-2005).
Self-employed, LAW Builders (1982-2005).
I managed an extensive homebuilding business for this
period of time.
9. Attach a copy of your resume. A copy is attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years.
No additional service other than that listed above.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.
Sole member of Westmoreland Strategies, LLC, which provides
consulting services to for a variety of business interests
unrelated to the railroad industry.
NRCC as Board member through 2016.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
Leadership Team (Deacon) at Orchard Hills Baptist Church,
2011-2016.
Member, Orchard Hills Baptist Church, 2011 to present
(Orchard Hills Baptist Church limits membership to individuals
affirming the statement of faith of the church).
Capitol Hill Club member, 2006 to present.
Christian City Advisory Board.
Joseph Sams School Advisory Board.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt.
Yes, U.S. House of Representatives for GA-03 and the Georgia House
of Representatives for districts 104 and 86. None of past campaigns
carry any debt and I am not personally liable for any of it.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years. Also list all offices
you have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national
political party or election committee during the same period.
I have not contributed any personal funds to any to any individual,
campaign organization, political party, political action committee, or
similar entity of $500 or more in the past ten years.
I served on the NRCC Board through 2016.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
I have not received any recognitions in this category.
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
I have not authored any books or publications. I have authored a
number of articles and columns. The ones I can locate and recall are
listed below:
a. Editorial: How did Obama's massive surveillance state
fail to defend Americans against Russia?, The Hill,
May 27, 2017.
b Editorial: Are American airports really ``third
world'' in quality?, The Hill, May 20, 2017.
c. Editorial: Congress should stand for consumers and
repeal the Durbin Amendment, The Hill, April 30,
2017.
d. Editorial: Congress should stop the unconstitutional
effort to ban online gambling, The Hill, April 18,
2017.
e. Editorial: Edward Snowden's Gambit, Washington Times,
September 20, 2016.
f. Editorial: Viewpoint: MetLife ruling a devastating
blow to Dodd-Frank bureaucratic nightmare, Atlanta
Business Chronicle, March 31, 2016.
g. Editorial: Guest column on state of politics in
Washington, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, October 3,
2013.
h. Editorial: Guest column on status of the Voting Rights
Act, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 7, 2013.
i. Editorial written with Tom Price: Guest column on gas
prices, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, April 25, 2012.
j. Editorial: Power the Nation with American-made energy,
Newnan Times-Herald, April 12, 2012.
k. Editorial: Guest column on Dodd-Frank and CFPB,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 22, 2011.
l. Editorial: Costly earmark undercuts fighter, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, May 4, 2010.
m. Editorial: ``Ticks'' sucking taxpayers dry, Columbus
Ledger-Enquirer, May 2, 2010.
n. Editorial: A patriotic duty doable in 10 minutes,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 7, 2010.
o. Editorial: Congress needs to fix the Voting Rights
Act, Rock Hill Herald, July 1, 2009.
p. Editorial: Package hasn't stopped the slide, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, June 28, 2009.
q. Editorial: Congress can fix its mistakes on Voting
Rights Act, Columbus Ledger-Enquirer, June 28, 2009.
r. Editorial: Fiscal sanity dies in Obama budget, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, April 9, 2009.
s. Editorial: Dogfighting penalty best handled by states,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, September 6, 2007.
t. Editorial: The Emmett Till Act: New funds unneeded for
`cold' civil rights murders, Atlanta Journal-
Constitution, June 22, 2007.
u. Editorial: Our present strategy in Iraq has failed to
halt the escalation of violence, Columbus Ledger-
Enquirer, March 4, 2007.
v. Editorial: Voting Rights Act Renewal, Atlanta Journal-
Constitution, May 29, 2006.
w. Editorial: Our economy hums because of tax cuts,
Atlanta Journal-Constitution, December 14, 2005.
x. Editorial: Storm victims will get housing, not heave-
ho, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, November 21, 2005.
y. Editorial: Prosecutor set sights on DeLay, Atlanta
Journal-Constitution, September 30, 2005.
z. Editorial: Flag protection amendment what Americans,
states want, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, July 4,
2005.
aa. Editorial: Who should decide Terri Schiavo's fate?
Take opportunity to show we value the sanctity of
life, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 22, 2005.
bb. Editorial: Fairer district lines will serve all
Georgians, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, February 11,
2005.
cc. Editorial: Equal Time: Bill Recognizes Religious
Values' Influence, Atlanta Journal-Constitution,
February 19, 2004.
dd. Editorial: Other Opinion: Don't Raise Taxes; Rein in
Spending, Atlanta Journal-Constitution, March 30,
2003.
I gave speeches on a number of topics during my time in Congress
that are contained in the Congressional Record. I do not have records
of any other speeches that I gave to other groups.
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
I have not testified before a Congressional committee in any
capacity.
18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
While serving in Congress, I learned a great deal about the
railroad industry and the needs of the transportation sector serving on
the Transportation and Infrastructure Committee and its Railroad
Subcommittee. In addition, my own history managing a business gives me
a unique perspective on the needs of Amtrak and how it can best be
directed going forward. I believe I can be of great assistance to the
staff at Amtrak and provide helpful feedback.
My wife and I regularly rode Amtrak from Atlanta to DC when I began
my service in Congress, so I have a personal connection to the service
that others are unlikely to have.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
Boards for large organization do not exist to run the organization
itself. The executives are experienced and handle day-to-day
operations. The board, particularly for Amtrak, functions as a key
check on the executives. Not only does the board have a role in picking
the right executives and reviewing their performance, but the board
must also carefully monitor and assess the internal controls in use at
an organization like Amtrak.
My time engaging in Congressional oversight of government agencies
has given me experience reviewing what is happening inside complex
institutions. I also chaired the oversight subcommittee for the
National Security Agency, which is also a complex organization. In
addition, having run my own businesses before and after my time in
Congress, I know how to review the types of reports that the Amtrak
Board will need to review.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
First, Amtrak faces a long-term challenge encouraging individuals
to choose its service over other competing methods of transportation.
With the rise of ride-sharing and the potential of its use for longer
trips, Amtrak has to think strategically about getting Americans to
choose what may seem to be a slower method of transportation than they
would like. Amtrak has to educate Americans about the advantages of
rail service and the benefits that using those services offer.
Second, Amtrak must continue to address questions of security and
safety. As a target of potential terrorist attacks, the security of
Amtrak trains and facilities is a continuing need. In addition,
derailments due to operator error not only cause loss of life and
economic losses--they also undermine the mission of persuading
individuals to choose rail over other transportation methods.
Third, Amtrak must continue building out the high-speed rail plans
it currently has. If Amtrak is to remain competitive, it must have
options that go beyond standard rail service. The Acela has been
successful in part because of its time-saving design, although even
that option needs improvement.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
Westmoreland Strategies, LLC, I am the sole owner of this
business and provide strategic advice to businesses who wish to
interact with the Federal Government or State of Georgia. My
income consists of monthly consulting fees and no clients are
related to the railroad industry.
I am a beneficiary of the Federal Employee Retirement
System.
I am a beneficiary of a defined benefit plan of the Georgia
Legislative Retirement System. I am not aware of any financial
holdings of the system.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
I will continue to operate Westmoreland Strategies LLC, but will
refrain from working for any client that works in the railroad industry
or has a business arrangement with Amtrak.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
None.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
None.
5. Describe any activity during the past ten years in which you
have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing
the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting
the administration and execution of law or public policy.
As a member of Congress, I regularly voted on legislation and made
recommendations about policy. I have not worked as a lobbyist in the
state of Georgia or in any capacity with the Federal Government and
thus have not attempted to directly or indirectly influence any of
these processes.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
I have no conflicts of interest, but will refuse contracts with any
entity or individual that would create a conflict and will immediately
terminate any agreements that would cause a conflict if a conflict
arose.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain.
No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
I have been a defendant in two lawsuits related to my homebuilding
business. Both were civil cases filed in Fayette County, Georgia in the
late 1980s. I do not have any records related to the cases. Both cases
were filed by homeowners alleging there were problems with the houses I
built. I contested both cases, but ultimately both were settled out of
court prior to any substantial discovery. In one case I was represented
by Buck Murphy. I do not recall who represented me in the other case.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain.
No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain.
No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination.
I am not aware of any additional information that should be
disclosed.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Resume of Lynn A. Westmoreland
Experience
Westmoreland Strategies, Grantville, Georgia (January 2017 to the
present)
Principal and Sole Member
Provides strategic consulting for clients wishing to interact
with state and Federal governments.
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, D.C. (January 2005 to
January 2017)
Member
Represented the Third Congressional District.
Served on Transportation and Infrastructure Committee,
including chairing Railroad Subcommittee Served on Permanent
Select Committee on Intelligence, including chairing NSA
Oversight Subcommittee
Served on Financial Services Committee
Appointed to House Select Committee on the Events Surrounding
the 2012 Terrorist Attack in Benghazi
Georgia House of Representatives, Atlanta, Georgia (January 1993 to
April 2004)
Member, Districts 104 and 86.
Served as House Minority Leader beginning in January 2001.
Law Builders, Newnan, Georgia (1982 to January 2005)
Owner
Worked as specialty homebuilder primarily south of Atlanta.
Crest Homes, Fayetteville, Georgia (1976 to 1982)
Vice President, Construction
Oversaw residential construction.
Lawrence and Company, Fayetteville, Georgia (1972 to 1976)
Worked on commercial construction projects.
Delta Air Lines, Atlanta, Georgia (1969 to 1972)
Ramp Service Agent
Worked on loading baggage and other service to customers.
Education
Graduate of Therrell High School, Atlanta, Georgia, 1968.
Attended Georgia State University, Atlanta, Georgia 1969.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Lynn.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth.
STATEMENT OF DIANA FURCHTGOTT-ROTH, NOMINEE FOR ASSISTANT
SECRETARY FOR RESEARCH AND TECHNOLOGY, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF
TRANSPORTATION
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Chairman Blunt, Ranking Member Booker,
distinguished members of the Subcommittee, thank you so much
for the opportunity to appear before you today. I am honored to
be nominated for the position of Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology of the Department of Transportation.
Over the past month, I have met many staffers and Senators, and
I appreciate the opportunity to do so and to hear your concerns
about America's transportation networks. Should I have the
honor of being confirmed, I look forward to working with you
closely in the future.
I would like to introduce my husband, Harold Furchtgott-
Roth, and my father, Gabriel Roth. My son Jeremy is here with
his wife Channi and my grandson Isaac. My sons, Theodore and
Richard, are here on fall break from college in New Jersey.
Unfortunately, my other children, Leon, Francesca, and Godfrey
are not able to be here due to work and school commitments.
Since 2001, I have been supervising economic research. As
Chief of Staff of the Council of Economic Advisers at the White
House, I managed the hiring of a staff of academic economists
who were generally on leave from their universities for a one-
year period. At the Council, I coordinated and supervised the
production of the 2002 Economic Report of the President. Then,
as Chief Economist at the U.S. Department of Labor under
Secretary Elaine Chao, I oversaw research, including
publication of the volume ``America's Dynamic Workforce.'' At
the Manhattan Institute, I managed the economics division known
as Economics21, including its research initiatives and the
Shadow Open Market Committee.
I believe strongly that the product of research must be
trustworthy and that data should not be manipulated in order to
get a preferred conclusion. It is possible for different
researchers to interpret data differently or to use different
models or data sets to arrive at their findings, but basically
facts are facts. We can have differences of opinion, but we
should not invest in research that is not intellectually
honest. If I am confirmed, I pledge to adhere to this standard.
Transportation is used by Americans in some form every day.
Even if they do not travel by plane, bus, car, or bicycle, they
use goods that were brought to them through our transportation
system. There is nothing more important to the well-being of
Americans than a properly functioning transportation system.
Assisting Secretary Chao in the operation of America's
transportation network would be a great privilege.
There are many questions that surround issues of
infrastructure financing and the implementation of new
technologies that could be explored.
For example, autonomous vehicles hold great promise. Almost
40,000 people were killed on the roads in 2016, an increase of
over 8 percent from 2015. Autonomous vehicles have the
potential to offer improved safety, accessibility for all
Americans to transportation, and improved technology and
economic growth. We need to understand all of these better.
But autonomous vehicles may also have unintended
consequences. What effects will these vehicles have on
employment? Will our systems be able to stand up to cyber
criminals? What effects will autonomous vehicles have on
patterns of road usage? How might this affect the economy in
terms of numbers of cars, the wholesale and retail sectors,
population distribution, property values, and other aspects of
the economy?
Drones also offer promising new technology and a wide
variety of applications. For example, we joke about ordering a
pizza and having it delivered by drone. This technology could
cut delivery times not just for pizzas but also for a wide
variety of goods. It raises questions of the effects on the
workforce. There are also security and privacy issues involved.
More research is needed.
Other countries are making rapid advances in transportation
infrastructure and technology, and we must redouble our efforts
to remain in a position of global leadership. If confirmed, I
look forward to working with others at DOT and all of you in
Congress to attain this end.
Thank you so much for listening, and I look forward to
answering your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Furchtgott-Roth follow:]
Prepared Statement of Diana Furchtgott-Roth, Nominee for Assistant
Secretary for Research and Technology, U.S. Department of
Transportation
Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, Distinguished Members of the
Subcommittee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today.
I am honored to be nominated to the position of Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology at the Department of Transportation. Over the
past month I have met with many staffers and Senators, and I appreciate
the opportunity to do so and hear your concerns about America's
transportation networks. Should I have the honor of being confirmed, I
look forward to working closely with you in the future.
I'd like to introduce my husband, Harold Furchtgott-Roth, and my
father, Gabriel Roth. My son Jeremy is here with his wife Chani and my
grandson Isaac, age two. My sons Theodore and Richard are here on fall
break from college. Unfortunately my other children, Leon, Francesca,
and Godfrey, who live in Boston and New York, are not able to come
down, due to work and school commitments.
Since 2001 I have been supervising economic research. As chief of
staff of the Council of Economic Advisers at the White House, I managed
the hiring of a staff of academic economists who were generally on
leave from their universities for a one-to two-year period. At the
Council, I coordinated and supervised the 2002 Economic Report of the
President. Then, as chief economist of the U.S. Department of Labor
under Secretary Chao, I oversaw research, including publication of the
volume ``America's Dynamic Workforce.'' At the Manhattan Institute, I
manage the economics division, known as Economics21, including its
research initiatives and the activities of the Shadow Open Market
Committee. I have written papers and articles on a number of
transportation topics.
I believe strongly that the product of research must be trustworthy
and that data should not be manipulated in order to get a preferred
conclusion. It is possible for different researchers to interpret data
differently, or to use different models or data sets to arrive at their
findings, but basically facts are facts. We can have differences of
opinion, but we should not invest in research that is not
intellectually honest. If I am confirmed, I pledge to adhere to this
standard.
Transportation is used by Americans in some form every day. Even if
they do not travel by car, bus, plane, train, or bicycle, they use
goods that were brought to them through our transportation system.
There is nothing more important to the well-being of Americans than a
properly-functioning transportation system. Assisting Secretary Chao in
improving the operation of America's transportation network would be a
great privilege.
There are many questions that surround issues of infrastructure
financing and the implementation of new technologies that could be
explored.
For example, autonomous vehicles hold great promise. Almost 40,000
people were killed on the roads in 2016, an increase of over eight
percent from 2015. Autonomous vehicles have the potential to offer
improved safety; accessibility for all Americans to transportation; and
improved technology and economic growth. We need to understand each of
these better.
But autonomous vehicles may also have unintended consequences. What
effects will these vehicles have on employment? Will our systems be
able to stand up to cybercriminals? What effect will autonomous
vehicles have on patterns of road usage? How might this affect the
economy in terms of the number of cars, the wholesale and retail
sectors, population distribution, property values, and other aspects of
the economy?
Drones also offer new promising technology with a wide variety of
applications. For example, we joke about ordering a pizza and having it
delivered by drone. This technology could cut delivery times, not just
for pizzas, but also for a wide variety of goods. It raises questions
of the effects on the workforce. There are also security and privacy
issues involved. More research is needed.
Other countries are making rapid advances in transportation
infrastructure and technology, and we must redouble our efforts to
remain in a position of global leadership. If I am confirmed, I look
forward to working with others at DOT and in Congress to achieve this
end.
Thank you for listening, and I would be glad to answer any
questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Diana Furchtgott-Roth (formerly Diana Roth, until June 21,
1983).
2. Position to which nominated: Assistant Secretary for Research
and Technology, U.S. Department of Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: October 2, 2017.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: Manhattan Institute, 1200 New Hampshire Avenue, Suite
570, Washington, D.C. 20036.
5. Date and Place of Birth: April 4, 1958; London, England.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Harold Furchtgott-Roth, President, Furchtgott-Roth Economic
Enterprises, 1200 New Hampshire Avenue, Fourth Floor,
Washington D.C. 20036. In addition, Senior Fellow, Hudson
Institute, and Adjunct Professor, Brooklyn Law School
Leon Furchtgott (29); Francesca Furchtgott (27); Jeremy
Furchtgott (26); Godfrey Furchtgott (23); Theodore Furchtgott
(21); Richard Furchtgott (19).
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Swarthmore College, BA in Economics, 1975-1979
Oxford University, M.Phil. in Economics, 1979-1983
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, 2009 to present.
(Managerial)
Senior Fellow and Director, Economics 21. Manage Manhattan
Institute's Washington office including Shadow Open Market
Committee meetings and publications. Write papers, books,
articles, and columns on a variety of economic issues,
including taxation, economic growth, income inequality, and
labor market regulation. Author of five books, including
Disinherited: How Washington Is Betraying America's Young
(Encounter Books, 2015), winner of Sir Antony Fisher
International Memorial Award, 2016. Testify before
congressional committees. Speak on college campuses. Appear on
radio and TV, including CNBC, Fox Business News, and BBC's
Business Matters.
George Washington University, 2016 to present (Relates to
position)
Adjunct Professor. Teach Labor Economics and Public Policy in
the Applied Economics MA program.
Friedberg Economics Institute, Jerusalem, Israel, 2015-2016
(Relates to position)
Lecturer. Taught seminars on free-market economics to Israeli
undergraduate and graduate students.
Trump Presidential Campaign and Transition, 2016 to 2017.
(Relates to position)
Appeared frequently on radio and TV and wrote op eds to promote
Mr. Trump's policy agenda. Assisted with economic advice.
Recruited prominent women as surrogates for Women for Trump. As
member of Labor Department Action Team and Landing Team,
assisted on detailed plans for Day 1 and Day 100.
Hudson Institute, 2005-2011. (Managerial)
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Employment Policy. Wrote
papers on labor economics, including entrepreneurship, effects
of financial policies, and education and job training, in the
United States and overseas. Editor, Overcoming Barriers to
Entrepreneurship in the United States (Lexington Books, 2008).
U.S. Department of Labor, 2003-2005. (Managerial)
Chief Economist. Performed and directed research on topics of
interest to the Secretary and senior staff, such as regulatory
changes, effects of regulation, minimum wage, pensions, health
care, immigration, and the changing workforce. Provided regular
reports and briefings to Secretary Elaine L. Chao about the
economy, macroeconomic and microeconomic policy, and the
employment situation in the United States, Europe, and Asia.
Delivered speeches on the economy and administration policy.
Organized and edited America's Dynamic Workforce, Department of
Labor, 2004.
Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the
President, 2001-2003. (Managerial)
Chief of Staff; Special Adviser to the Council. Supervised
production of the Economic Report of the President. Managed 35-
person staff for the Chairman. Organized economists'
representation at meetings within the Executive Office of the
President and outside agencies and their interaction with White
House staff. Coordinated recruiting of senior economists, staff
economists, research assistants, and administrative assistants.
American Enterprise Institute, 1993-2001. (Relates to position)
Resident Fellow; Assistant to the President. Performed research
on taxation, labor economics, and sex discrimination. Coauthor
of two books on women in the workforce. Organized seminars and
conferences on economic and regulatory issues.
The White House, 1991-1993. (Managerial)
Associate Director and Deputy Executive Secretary, Domestic
Policy Council; Associate Director, Office of Policy Planning.
Prepared and reviewed domestic policy options for President
Bush in the areas of deregulation and taxation. Coordinated
interagency working groups on domestic policy issues.
American Petroleum Institute, 1987-1991. (Relates to position)
Economist. Conducted studies, wrote papers, and directed
research on tax, energy, and environmental issues.
Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the
President, 1986-1987.
Junior Staff Economist. Provided support to the Chairman and
Members of Council on microeconomic issues including labor, tax
policy, and regulation.
Policy Economics Group, 1985-1986.
Economist. Analyzed the effects of proposed changes in tax laws
on various industries including banking, railroad, and
trucking.
Booz, Allen and Hamilton Inc., 1983-1984. Senior Consultant.
The Urban Institute, Summer, 1981. Research Assistant.
9. Attach a copy of your resume. A copy is attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years. None.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.
Board Chair, In Shifra's Arms (Crisis Pregnancy Center).
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
In Shifra's Arms, Chair of Board, 2014 to present. Board
member, 2009 to 2014. Does not restrict membership.
Ohev Sholom, The National Synagogue, 2005 to present. Restricts
membership to Jews.
Reform Club, London, UK. July 2017 to present. Club does not
restrict membership.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt. No.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years. Also list all offices
you have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national
political party or election committee during the same period. None.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements. None.
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
Books
Disinherited: How Washington is Betraying America's Young, with
Jared Meyer, Encounter Books, May 2015. Winner of Sir Antony
Fisher International Memorial Award, Atlas Foundation, 2016
Regulating to Disaster: How Green Jobs Policies Are Damaging
America's Economy, Encounter Books, 2012.
Women's Figures: An Illustrated Guide to the Economic Progress
of Women in America, AEI Press, 2012.
How Obama's Gender Policies Undermine America, Encounter Books,
2010.
Overcoming Barriers to Entrepreneurship in the United States
(edited volume), Lexington Books, 2008.
The Feminist Dilemma: When Success Is Not Enough, with
Christine Stolba, AEI Press, 2001.
Women's Figures: An Illustrated Guide to the Economic Progress
of Women in America, with Christine Stolba, AEI Press and
Independent Women's Forum, 1999.
Op Eds and Columns
``Working Wives Widen `Income Gap','' Wall Street Journal,
Tuesday, June 20, 1995.
``Congress Scores Again,'' Investor's Business Daily, Tuesday,
November 28, 1995.
``Abuses of Income Distribution Tables in Tax Policy,'' Tax
Notes, Volume 69, Number 11, Monday, December 11, 1995, pp.
1414-1416.
``Revolution of the Heart,'' review of Revolution of the Heart
by Bill Shore, IntellectualCapital.com, October 3, 1996.
``Affirmative Action for Women: Just Don't Do It,''
IntellectualCapital.com, October 31, 1996.
``The Gender Gap in Taxation: Women Stand to Gain Most from
Reform,'' IntellectualCapital.com, December 12, 1996.
``The Myth of the Glass Ceiling,'' IntellectualCapital.com,
January 23, 1997.
``Should Women Worry About Glass Ceilings?'' Insight on the
News, February 10, 1997, pp. 25-27.
``A Good Starting Point,'' review of Taxing Women by Edward
McCaffery, IntellectualCapital.com, April 24, 1997.
``Put a Stop to Comp-Time Discrimination,'' Investor's Business
Daily, Monday, June 2, 1997.
``Women's Work: Choice or Necessity?'' review of The Time Bind:
When Work Becomes Home and Home Becomes Work by Arlie Russell
Hochschild, IntellectualCapital.com, June 26, 1997.
``A Working Woman's Retreat,'' review of When Work Doesn't Work
Anymore by Elizabeth Perle McKenna, IntellectualCapital.com,
September 18, 1997.
``The Skyline Tax,'' with Kevin Hassett, The Weekly Standard,
September 29, 1997, pp. 13-14.
``Plato Speaks of Gender,'' review of Cultivating Humanity: A
Classical Defense of Reform in Liberal Education by Martha
Nussbaum, Washington Times, October 22, 1997.
``Uncle Sam's Dowry,'' with Kevin Hassett,
IntellectualCapital.com, October 30, 1997.
``The Trial of the Unabomber: A Moral Guide,''review of Drawing
Life: Surviving the Unabomber by David Gelernter,
IntellectualCapital.com, November 27, 1997.
``Tax Code Penalizes Work, Not Marriage,'' Investor's Business
Daily, Friday, January 16, 1998.
``Women Don't Need Equal Pay Day,'' with Christine Stolba,
Investor's Business Daily, Monday, April 6, 1998, A36.
``Sex and Affirmative Action,'' Heterodoxy, Volume 6, Number 8,
October 1998, 11.
``Faster Than You Think,'' review of Why So Slow? The
Advancement of Women by Virginia Valian,
IntellectualCapital.com, October 8, 1998.
``Undoing Favoritism That Serves to Disfavor,'' with Christine
Stolba, Washington Times, Thursday, November 12, 1998, A15.
``American Women Aren't Really So Cheap,'' with Christine
Stolba, Wall Street Journal, Friday, November 20, 1998, A18.
``The Pitfalls of Politicizing Science,'' review of The
Baltimore Case: A Trial of Politics, Science, and Character by
Daniel Kevles, IntellectualCapital.com, January 7, 1999.
`` `Comparable Worth' Makes a Comeback,'' with Christine
Stolba, Wall Street Journal, Thursday, February 4, 1999, A22.
``Money Can't Buy Fulfillment,'' review of What Our Mothers
Didn't Tell Us: Why Happiness Eludes the Modern Woman by
Danielle Crittenden, IntellectualCapital.com, March 4, 1999.
``Sense and Sensibility in the Tax Reform Debate,'' review of
The Greedy Hand: How Taxes Drive Americans Crazy and What to Do
about It by Amity Shlaes, IntellectualCapital.com, March 25,
1999.
``Keep Goose That Lays Golden Eggs,'' Los Angeles Times,
Thursday, April 1, 1999, A17.
``MIT Report Flunks Statistics 101,'' Investor's Business
Daily, May 4, 1999, A22. ``Call Off the Troops,'' review of
Ceasefire! Why Women and Men Must Join Forces to Achieve True
Equality by Cathy Young, IntellectualCapital.com, July 15,
1999.
``The Victim Myth,'' Investor's Business Daily, Friday, July
30, 1999.
``Your Surplus Checks Aren't in the Mail Yet,'' with Kevin
Hassett, Los Angeles Times, Thursday, August 5, 1999, A17.
``The Myth of the Wage Gap,'' Civil Rights Journal, Fall 1999,
28-30. ``Suicide Mission: The Union Push for Comparable
Worth,'' Labor Watch, Capital Research Center, December 1999.
``Eliminating the Marriage Penalty through Flatter Taxation,''
New York Law School Journal of Human Rights, Volume XVI Part
One, Symposium 1999, pp. 153-158.
``This Pay Gap Is a Phony,'' Washington Post, Monday, January
31, 2000, A19. ``On One Tax Proposal, Clinton Has It Right,''
Investor's Business Daily, Thursday, February 10, 2000, A24.
``Subpoena Elian,'' Washington Times, Monday, May 1, 2000, A17.
``Equal or Equivalent? Feminist Activists Ignore the Data about
Women's Pay,'' Investor's Business Daily, Thursday, May 11,
2000, A24.
``Bourgeois-Bohemian Rhapsody,'' review of Bobos in Paradise:
The New Upper Class and How They Got There by David Brooks,
IntellectualCaptial.com, June 1, 2000.
``Harry Potter's America,'' IntellectualCapital.com, Thursday,
July 13, 2000.
``Tired Feminist Claims,'' National Review Online, Thursday,
July 13, 2000. ``Left with the Bill: Women, Not Men, Carry the
Largest Estate Tax Burden,'' Investor's Business Daily,
Thursday, July 20, 2000, A26.
``Euro Record Troubling So Far,'' United Press International,
Friday, August 11, 2000.
``Where's the Crisis? Democrats Decry the World's Best Health
Care System,'' Investor's Business Daily, Friday, August 25,
2000, A28.
``Comparable Worth Is Back,'' The American Spectator, September
2000, 38-43. ``Susan Estrich's America: Why Can't a Woman Be
More Like a Man?'' The Weekly Standard, November 13, 2000, 32-
34.
``Good Policy Should Stay Sans Linda,'' National Review Online,
Wednesday, January 10, 2001.
``What U.S. Labour Laws Can Teach Europe,'' Financial Times,
Friday, August 11, 2005.
``Roberts Was Right,'' New York Sun, Tuesday, August 23, 2005.
``Labor: Past, Present and Future,'' Indianapolis Star, Sunday,
September 4, 2005.
``La France Peut Mieux Faire,'' (``France Can Do Better'') Le
Figaro, Friday, September 30, 2005.
``Even the Low-Wage Workers Move Up,'' Indianapolis Star,
Sunday, October 25, 2005.
``High Holy Days Ticket Prices Are Costing Community,''
Forward, Friday, November 4, 2005.
``In Anacostia, A Model for Job Training,'' The Washington
Post, Sunday, November 6, 2005.
``Challenges in Staffing,'' HR Magazine, 50th Anniversary 2005,
December 2005.
``A `Moral Road Map' for Israel's Economy,'' The Jerusalem
Post, Friday, February 17, 2006.
``A True Believer,'' review of Washington's God: Religion,
Liberty and the Father of Our Country by Michael and Jana
Novak, New York Post, Sunday, March 12, 2006.
``Getting the Sack Really Would Help French Workers,'' The
Sunday Times, Sunday, March 19, 2006.
``10K Handout: Better Than Welfare,'' review of In Our Hands by
Charles Murray, New York Post, Sunday, April 2, 2006.
``Immigrants Don't Depress Wages,'' New York Sun, Wednesday,
April 12, 2006.
``ACI Spells Progress in `Funded Science','' Investor's
Business Daily, May 8, 2006.
``No Honor, No Victory,'' review of Honor: A History by James
Bowman, New York Post, Sunday, June 4, 2006.
``Sexist Taxation,'' review of Leaving Women Behind: Modern
Families, Outdated Laws, by Kimberly Strassel, Celeste Colgan,
and John Goodman, New York Post, June 4, 2006.
``Walls to No Avail,'' New York Sun, July 19, 2006.
``Friends for Life, Today and Then,'' review of Friendship: An
Expose, by Joseph Epstein, New York Post, August 20, 2006.
``The Case for Immigration,'' New York Sun, September 22, 2006.
``America, Job Frontier,'' New York Sun, October 9, 2006.
``The Borjas Blame Game,'' New York Sun, October 13, 2006.
``Minimum Wage, Still Crazy After All These Years,'' New York
Sun, October 20, 2006.
``Cheer Up, Homeowner,'' New York Sun, October 27, 2006.
``Doing Just Fine after All,'' New York Sun, November 6, 2006.
``Keeping America Competitive,'' New York Sun, November 10,
2006.
``Now Wage a Campaign for Economic Growth,'' Washington Post,
November 11, 2006.
``Money Myths: Work Really Does Pay,'' review of Income and
Wealth, by Alan Reynolds, New York Post, November 12, 2006.
``Where the Money Goes,'' New York Sun, November 17, 2006.
``Watch How They Shop,'' New York Sun, November 24, 2006.
``Free Trade Advantage,'' New York Sun, December 1, 2006.
``Richer Than You Think,'' New York Sun, December 11, 2006.
``School Lessons from New York,'' New York Sun, December 15,
2006.
``The Road Not Taken,'' New York Sun, December 22, 2006.
``Running Out of Time,'' New York Sun, December 29, 2006.
``How Democrats Tell Time,'' New York Sun, January 5, 2007.
``Gaining Security in the Workforce,'' New York Sun, January
12, 2007.
``Pelosi's Fishy Deal,'' New York Sun, January 15, 2007.
``More for Mike to Do,'' New York Sun, January 19, 2007.
``The President's Slippery Solution,'' New York Sun, January
25, 2007.
``Class Facts: Why Education Is Key To Success,'' review of
Tough Choices or Tough Times: The Report of The New Commission
on The Skills of The American Workforce, by National Center on
Education and The Economy, New York Post, January 28, 2007.
``America's Budget,'' New York Sun, February 6, 2007.
``Traffic Congestion Solutions,'' New York Sun, February 9,
2007.
``Income Inequality's Reality,'' New York Sun, February 16,
2007.
``Intimidating Workers,'' New York Sun, February 23, 2007.
``Markets' Problem Is Politics,'' New York Sun, March 2, 2007.
``Fruits of Immigration,'' New York Sun, March 9, 2007.
``Hillary Underrates Women,'' New York Sun, March 16, 2007.
``Not Just the Ears,'' New York Sun, March 23, 2007.
``Wages of Senator Schumer,'' New York Sun, April 2, 2007.
``Losing Paychecks to Union Officials,'' New York Sun, April 6,
2007.
``Dangerous Tax Times,'' New York Sun, April 13, 2007.
``Staircase of Tax Plenty Steep,'' New York Sun, April 20,
2007.
``Who's the Better Feminist?'' New York Sun, April 27, 2007.
``An Overtaxed Electorate,'' New York Sun, May 4, 2007.
``Get Pumped,'' New York Sun, May 11, 2007.
``Give This Law An `A','' New York Sun, May 18, 2007.
``Skip This CAFE,'' New York Sun, May 25, 2007.
``Rushing the Numbers,'' New York Sun, June 1, 2007.
``This CAFE Is Served Without Dessert,'' The American, June 8,
2007.
``The Evil We Overcame,'' New York Sun, June 8, 2007.
``Checking a Card,'' New York Sun, June 15, 2007.
``We Need Their Money,'' New York Sun, June 22, 2007.
``Stop Singing Soak the Rich,'' The Guardian (U.K.), June 29,
2007.
``Sick of Working,'' New York Sun, June 29, 2007.
``The Silent Echo,'' New York Sun, July 6, 2007.
``The Wrong Fire,'' New York Sun, July 13, 2007.
``Extravagant Spending,'' New York Sun, July 18, 2007.
``Keep Our Money Here,'' New York Sun, July 27, 2007.
``Wising Up,'' New York Sun, August 3, 2007.
``Sick of SCHIP,'' New York Sun, August 10, 2007.
``Farewell, Karl,'' New York Sun, August 17, 2007.
``New York's Collapsible Bridges,'' New York Sun, August 24,
2007.
``Labor Reconsidered,'' New York Sun, August 31, 2007.
``Fred Can Win,'' New York Sun, September 7, 2007.
``Ticking Time Bomb,'' review of The Iranian Time Bomb: The
Mullah Zealots' Quest for Destruction, by Michael Ledeen, New
York Sun, September 14, 2007.
``Fixing Airport Delays,'' New York Sun, September 21, 2007.
``A Prelude to Health,'' New York Sun, September 28, 2007.
``Keep Them Here,'' New York Sun, October 5, 2007.
``An Unnecessary Flub,'' New York Sun, October 8, 2007.
``Repeg the Peg,'' New York Sun, October 12, 2007.
``A Blind Eye to Prevention,'' New York Sun, October 22, 2007.
``A Subprime Debacle,'' New York Sun, October 26, 2007.
``Making Sense of Income Equality,'' American.com, October 26,
2007.
``Adjusting to Free Trade,'' American.com, November 1, 2007.
``Wrong Way Charlie,'' New York Sun, November 2, 2007.
``Clock Watching,'' New York Post, November 4, 2007.
``Better Than Ever,'' New York Sun, November 9, 2007.
``Punishing the Consumer,'' New York Sun, November 16, 2007.
``A Marathon of a Life,'' New York Sun, November 23, 2007.
``Breaking Through,'' New York Sun, November 30, 2007.
``Frightening Food,'' New York Sun, December 7, 2007.
``Credit Verdict,'' New York Sun, December 12, 2007.
``Keeping Unions Accountable,'' New York Sun, December 19,
2007.
``The Great Recession of 2008?'' American.com, December 21,
2007.
``New York Can Do Better Than London,'' New York Sun, December
26, 2007.
``Desperately Seeking Visas,'' New York Sun, January 2, 2008.
``FairTax's Plausible Solution,'' New York Sun, January 9,
2008.
``The Health Care Rub,'' New York Sun, January 16, 2008.
``Rangel, Recession, and Rebates,'' New York Sun, January 23,
2008.
``Who's Afraid of Expensive Petrol?'' American.com, January 25,
2008.
``My McCain,'' New York Sun, January 30, 2008.
``The Right Energy Solution,'' New York Sun, February 6, 2008.
``Opportunity Knocks for the GOP: A Winning Loss,'' New York
Sun, February 8, 2008.
``Spend Now While You Have It,'' New York Sun, February 13,
2008.
``Abusing Sick Leave,'' New York Sun, February 19, 2008.
``The Ethanol Catch-22,'' New York Sun, February 27, 2008.
``Steinem's Got Clinton All Wrong,'' New York Sun, March 5,
2008.
``Not So Fast On the Recession,'' New York Sun, March 10, 2008.
``Bear Stearns Better than U.K. Bailout,'' New York Sun, March
19, 2008.
``We Need More of Them,'' New York Sun, March 26, 2008.
``Paulson's Mixed Bag,'' New York Sun, April 2, 2008.
``The Colombian Imperative,'' New York Sun, April 9, 2008.
``You Better Shop Around,'' (with Andrew Brown) American.com,
April 14, 2008.
``Our Own Tax Hell,'' New York Sun, April 15, 2008.
``The Case for Ending Ethanol Subsidies,'' New York Sun, April
22, 2008.
``Incentives for a Kidney,'' New York Sun, April 23, 2008.
``Foul Play on Fair Pay,'' New York Sun, April 30, 2008.
``Revolt of the Renters,'' New York Sun, May 7, 2008.
``Following Unions' Money Trail,'' New York Sun, May 14, 2008.
``Union Leaders Should Disclose Their Compensation to the
Public,'' The Examiner, May 20, 2008.
``Norquist's Five-Point Plan,'' New York Sun, May 21, 2008.
``Desperately Seeking Visas,'' New York Sun, May 28, 2008.
``Caps For Sale,'' New York Sun, June 4, 2008.
``$2 Gas And $1 Eggs,'' New York Sun, June 11, 2008.
``Wisdom of Irish Voters,'' New York Sun, June 18, 2008.
``HIRAs Are the Future,'' New York Sun, June 25, 2008.
``Geoengineering,'' New York Sun, July 2, 2008.
``Holding Up a Mirror to the SEIU,'' New York Sun, July 9,
2008.
``SEC Sells Economy Short,'' New York Sun, July 16, 2008.
``New Rules for OSHA,'' New York Sun, July 18, 2008.
``Termites in the Trading System,'' review of Termites in the
Trading System, by Jagdish Bhagwati, New York Post, July 27,
2008.
``Battleground for Sound Science,'' New York Sun, July 30,
2008.
``Teenagers' Right to Work,'' New York Sun, August 6, 2008.
``New York Vs. South Carolina,'' New York Sun, August 13, 2008.
``Union Label Reads `No Growth','' New York Sun, August 20,
2008.
``Obama Wife Penalty,'' New York Sun, August 28, 2008.
``Obama and Inequality: On Women in the Workforce,'' New York
Sun, September 3, 2008.
``Health Care: To Tax or Not To Tax,'' New York Sun, September
10, 2008.
``New York's Rising Sarah Palin,'' New York Sun, September 17,
2008.
``Short-Selling Is Not Market Abuse,'' Forbes.com, September
20, 2008.
``New Hope on Organ Donation,'' New York Sun, September 24,
2008.
``A Bill That Deserves to Fail,'' American.com, October 2,
2008.
``Capitalism Is Not Dead,'' Reuters.com, October 16, 2008.
``House For Sale--To Immigrants,'' Forbes.com, October 20,
2008.
``Moving Beyond Conventional Remedies,'' Reuters.com, October
24, 2008.
``Is The Buck Back?'' Reuters.com, October 31, 2008.
``After Victory, A Reality Check For Obama,'' Reuters.com,
November 7, 2008.
``The U.S. Won't Stomach a New Bretton Woods,'' Reuters.com,
November 14, 2008.
``Obama's Family-Friendly Agenda Will Hurt Job Growth,''
Reuters.com, November 21, 2008.
``Fix Immigration by Next Thanksgiving,'' Reuters.com, November
27, 2008.
``The Economic Fight of the Year,'' Forbes.com, December 3,
2008.
``Bail Out the Car Buyers,'' Reuters.com, December 4, 2008.
``The Right Way to Spend Billions on Infrastructure,''
Reuters.com, December 10, 2008.
``Electric Cars Will Not Cure Environmental Woes,''
Reuters.com, December 18, 2008.
``A Christmas Wish: End Traffic Congestion in 2009,''
Reuters.com, December 24, 2008.
``Health Care Degree Leads to Higher Earnings,'' Reuters.com,
December 31, 2008.
``The $300 Billion Tax Cut: Let's Do It Right,'' Reuters.com,
January 8, 2009.
``Saving Millions from Spectrum Sales,'' Reuters.com, January
15, 2009.
``Pardon Scooter Libby,'' Forbes.com, January 15, 2009.
``First 100 Days: The Mirage of Pay Equity,'' Reuters.com,
January 21, 2009.
``SCHIP: The Creeping Nationalization of Health Care,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 29, 2009.
``Uncle Sam Pays for Middle-Class Health Care,'' Reuters.com,
January 29, 2009.
``How Congress is Harming the Economy,'' Reuters.com, February
5, 2009.
``First, Do No Harm,'' RealClearMarkets.com, February 5, 2009.
``Hold Your Wallet--Here Is TARP 2,'' Reuters.com, February 12,
2009.
``The Financial Instability Plan,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 12, 2009.
``Do You Know Where Your Food Comes From?''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 19, 2009.
``Sickness and Death Are No Way to Regulate Food,''
Reuters.com, February 19, 2009.
``The Challenge of Health Insurance Reform,'' Reuters.com,
February 26, 2009.
``So Much for Fiscal Responsibility,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 26, 2009.
``Obama's Higher Taxes Hit Working Wives,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 5, 2009.
``Jump-Start U.S. Growth through Immigration,'' Reuters.com,
March 12, 2009.
``Card Check Workers Can Only Check In,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 12, 2009.
``A Show Trial for AIG,'' Reuters.com, March 19, 2009.
``AIG Bashing Is a Political Smokescreen,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 19, 2009.
``Trillion-Dollar Deficits Are Not the Answer,'' Reuters.com,
March 26, 2009.
``Obama's Spending Masquerades as Investment,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 26, 2009.
``Keep the Charitable Tax Deduction,'' Reuters.com, April 2,
2009.
``Charity Begins At Home,'' RealClearMarkets.com, April 2,
2009.
``Unequal Protection under the Law,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 9, 2009.
``Immigration Can Speed Economic Recovery,'' Reuters.com, April
10, 2009.
``A Simpler Way to Pay Taxes,'' Reuters.com, April 15, 2009.
``Choose Tax Cuts for Economic Recovery,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 16, 2009.
``The Economic Cost of Climate Change Legislation,''
Reuters.com, April 23, 2009.
``Job Loss by Millions, Tax Hikes by Billions,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 23, 2009.
``President Obama's First 100 Days,'' Reuters.com, April 29,
2009.
``The Folly of `Equal Pay' Laws,'' RealClearMarket.com, April
30, 2009.
``Lessons from Jack Kemp,'' Reuters.com, May 6, 2009.
``After Card Check, Don't Forget Binding Arbitration,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 7, 2009.
``Thousands Lose Jobs Due to Higher Federal Minimum Wage,''
Reuters.com, May 14, 2009.
``The Minimum Wage and Its Employment Impact,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 14, 2009.
``The Hidden Agenda behind Card Check,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 15, 2009.
``Develop Domestic Oil Reserves for Energy Independence,''
Reuters.com, May 21, 2009.
``Obama's Upside-Down Energy Logic,'' RealClearMarkets.com, May
21, 2009.
``New Fuel Standards Aren't as Tough as They Look,''
Reuters.com, May 28, 2009.
``Obama Should Ditch Deadly CAFE Standards,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 28, 2009.
``The Health Insurance Reform Stakes Begin,'' Reuters.com, June
4, 2009.
``We Face Major Healthcare Choices,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
June 4, 2009.
``A Better Way to Fund Roads,'' Reuters.com, June 11, 2009.
``High-Speed Rail: A Big-Ticket Item That Drives Deficit,''
RealClear
Markets.com, June 11, 2009.
``Workers Deserve Better Pension Plan,'' Worthington Daily
Globe, June 17, 2009.
``A VAT Tax Is Not the Answer,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 18,
2009.
``Starting a Trade War with `Buy America','' Reuters.com, June
19, 2009.
``Socialized Medicine through the Eyes of a Recipient,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 25, 2009.
``What Will The Climate Change Bill Do to Your Job?''
Reuters.com, June 26, 2009.
``It's Time to Go Nuclear,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July 2,
2009.
``Getting a Summer Job: Entrepreneurship for Teens,''
Reuters.com, July 3, 2009.
``Gender Equality: From Sports to Math and Science,''
Reuters.com, July 9, 2009.
``Obama, Title IX, and Academics,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
9, 2009.
``Minimum Wage Hike Spreads Blue State Unemployment Misery,''
Examiner, July 14, 2009.
``A Very Unhealthy Health Bill,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
16, 2009.
``Is America Ready for Single Payer Healthcare?'' Reuters.com,
July 23, 2009.
`` `Rich' Taxes Cripple Small Towns,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
July 23, 2009.
``The Healthcare Bankruptcy Myth,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
30, 2009.
``Reduce the High Cost of Medical Malpractice,'' Reuters.com,
August 6, 2009.
``The High Cost of Medical Malpractice,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 6, 2009.
``Real Madrid, a Threat to Anyone,'' with Theodore Furchtgott,
RealClear
Sports.com, August 10, 2009.
``Obama's Health Care Bogeyman Is Obama,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 13, 2009.
``Are Women Paid Less Than Men?'' Reuters.com, August 14, 2009.
``Turning Uncle Sam into Peeping Tom,'' National Review, August
20, 2009.
``Obama's Excessively Optimistic Deficit Projections,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 27, 2009.
``Don't Buy Unions' Labor Day Bluster,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 3, 2009.
``Union Bigs Get the Best Deals: A Sour Labor Day Lesson on
Pensions,'' New York Daily News, September 7, 2009.
``Nothing New with Obama's Health Plan,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 10, 2009.
``Who's Looking After the Workers?'' Human Events Online,
September 14, 2009.
``Don't Buy Specter's EFCA ``Compromise,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 17, 2009.
``The True Cost of the Baucus Bill,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 18, 2009.
``The Truth about Income Inequality,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 24, 2009.
``Job Creation Bills Will Kill Them,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 1, 2009.
``The Baucus Bill: An October Trick,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 8, 2009.
``Health Reform Won't Benefit Women,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 15, 2009.
``Higher Education and Economic Mobility,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 22, 2009.
``The Public Option Opt-Out Is No Panacea,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 29, 2009.
``U.S. Health Care Gets Cancer Right,'' Forbes.com, November 5,
2009.
``Health Reform and Job Destruction,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 12, 2009.
``Fixing the Wrong Disease,'' New York Post, November 20, 2009.
``Big Labor's Multi-Billion Dollar Bailout,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 25, 2009.
``Job Creation: The Seen and Unseen,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 3, 2009.
``Climate Change: Another Option,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 10, 2009.
``Kiss Your Health Plan Goodbye,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 24, 2009.
``Budget Deficits Have Consequences,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 31, 2009.
``Don't Ignore Public Pensions,'' RealClearMarkets.com, January
7, 2010.
``Obama Regulates Away Jobs,'' RealClearMarkets.com, January
11, 2010.
``It's Time to Elevate Entrepreneurs,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 21, 2010.
``Bank Robbery by another Name,'' Tax Notes, January 25, 2010.
``A New Approach to Health Reform,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 28, 2010.
``Job Creation vs. Ideology,'' RealClearMarkets.com, February
4, 2010.
``It's Time for Volcker, But Not Bank Taxes,''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 11, 2010.
``Obama Goes Nuclear, In a Good Way,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 18, 2010.
``Where Tax Policies Diverge,'' Tax Notes, February 22, 2010.
``Obamacare 2.0 Is a Job Killer,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 23, 2010.
``Washington's `High Road' to Robbery,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 4, 2010.
``Paycheck Fairness Is a Misnomer,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 11, 2010.
``Why the SEIU Wants Health Reform,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 18, 2010.
``Miracle on the Potomac: A Bipartisan Tax Proposal,'' Tax
Notes, March 22, 2010.
``Desperately Seeking Bipartisan Tax Simplification,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 25, 2010.
``The Health Bill's Unemployment Implications,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 1, 2010.
``Decrying the Union Pension Bailout Bill,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 8, 2010.
``Equal Pay Advocacy Based on Bad Assumptions,'' Washington
Examiner, April 19, 2010.
``Marriage Penalties Rise Under the New Healthcare Law,'' Tax
Notes, April 19, 2010.
``Hello Health Care, Goodbye Marriage,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 22, 2010.
``Immigration: The Great Race for Brains,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 29, 2010.
``Health Care's Impact on the Low-Skilled Worker,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 6, 2010.
``Kerry-Lieberman Equals Lost Jobs,'' RealClearMarkets.com, May
13, 2010.
``Mileage Fees Over Gas Taxes?'' RealClearMarkets.com, May 20,
2010.
``The Awesome Naivete of Dodd's Reform,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 27, 2010.
``Rising Minimum Wage, Rising Teen Unemployment,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 3, 2010.
``Congress Returns to Financial Reform Behemoth of a Bill,''
Washington Examiner, June 4, 2010.
``Behind the Numbers: Stimulus Created Jobs--for Government,''
Washington Examiner, June 4, 2010.
``The Danger of High Taxes on Carried Interest,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 10, 2010.
``Thank Congress for Teen Unemployment,'' Washington Examiner,
June 11, 2010.
``Skewing the Playing Field for Investment Partnerships,'' Tax
Notes, June 14, 2010.
``Hoosiercare or Obamacare?'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 17,
2010.
``EPA Killing Jobs Amidst Recession,'' Washington Examiner,
June 18, 2010.
``Congress's Medicare Canary,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 24,
2010.
``Medicare ``Fix'' is Just a Gimmick,'' Washington Examiner,
June 25, 2010.
``Expand New York City's Living Wage?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
July 1, 2010.
``Why President Obama Has Not Created More Jobs,'' Washington
Examiner, July 2, 2010.
``Racial, Gender Quotas in the Financial Bill?''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 8, 2010.
``Race and Gender Employment Quotas Hidden In Financial
Reform,'' Washington Examiner, July 9, 2010.
``Cap and Trade Equals Lost Jobs,'' Tax Notes, July 12, 2010.
``Title IX for Math and Science?'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
15, 2010.
``Financial Reform Fixes Debit Cards That Weren't Broken,''
Washington Examiner, July 15, 2010.
``U.S. Workers Aren't Better Off,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
22, 2010.
`` `Paycheck Fairness' is Anything But,'' Washington Examiner,
July 23, 2010.
``Deficits Up, Unemployment Up,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
29, 2010.
``A New York Financial Guru Runs for Senate,'' Washington
Examiner, July 30, 2010.
``Analyzing the Deflation Scare,'' RealClearMarkets.com, August
5, 2010.
``In the Deficit Battle, the U.K. Leads the Way,'' Tax Notes,
August 9, 2010.
``Congress Decides to Help Its Own,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 12, 2010.
``Democrats' Retreat From Immigration Delays Reform,''
Washington Examiner, August 12, 2010.
``The Benefits of Immigration,'' RealClearMarkets.com, August
19, 2010.
``A Private-Sector Challenge to A Maryland Incumbent,''
Washington Examiner, August 19, 2010.
``Ask Unemployed How the Stimulus is Working,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 26, 2010.
``It's a Tough Time to Be Young and Unemployed,'' Washington
Examiner, August 26, 2010.
``Another Labor Day, Little Labor Cheer,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 2, 2010.
``No Taxpayer Bailout for Union Pensions,'' Washington
Examiner, September 2, 2010.
``Avoiding the Next Bailout: Multiemployer Pension Funds,'' Tax
Notes, September 7, 2010.
``Obama Gets Tax Cuts Right,'' RealClearMarkets.com, September
9, 2010.
``Rebuild the Ground Zero Orthodox Church,'' Washington
Examiner, September 9, 2010.
``Obama's Small-Business Schizophrenia,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
Septem-
ber 16, 2010.
``Bring Us Your Young, Hard-Working Immigrants,'' Washington
Examiner, September 16, 2010.
``Obama's Problem Is Ideology,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 23, 2010.
``GOP's Agenda Counters Obama's Big-Spending Anti-Growth
Strategy,'' Washington Examiner, September 23, 2010.
``Auctioning Visas Do I Hear Billions?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 30, 2010.
``'Paycheck Fairness an Insult to Women,'' Washington Examiner,
October 1, 2010.
``Lessons From Germany's Hartz Reforms,'' Tax Notes, October 4,
2010.
``The Wealth Inequality Mirage,'' RealClearMarkets.com, October
7, 2010.
``So Much for Keeping the Healthcare Plan You Like,''
Washington Examiner, October 7, 2010.
``Uncertainty Plagues Bad Jobs Numbers,'' Washington Examiner,
October 8, 2010.
``Health Care Plans, Waivers, Choice?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 14, 2010.
``Feds Don't Want Troops to Enjoy a Hot Meal,'' Washington
Examiner, October 14, 2010.
``An Unthinkable Tax Code,'' RealClearMarkets.com, October 21,
2010.
``White House Has Different Standards for Successful Women Than
Women Themselves,'' Washington Examiner, October 21, 2010.
``When Unions Vote Your Money,'' RealClearMarkets.com, October
28, 2010.
``GOP Shouldn't Allow RINO Upton to Chair Energy Committee,''
Washington Examiner, October 29, 2010.
``A Consumption Tax Without a VAT,'' Tax Notes, November 1,
2010.
``Seeking a Healthcare Compromise,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 4, 2010.
``Stop Campaign Funds From Public-Sector Unions,'' Washington
Examiner, November 5, 2010.
``The 77 percent of Income Fallacy, '' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 11, 2010.
``Obama's Commission Misdiagnoses Medicare Cost Crisis,''
Washington Examiner, November 12, 2010.
``The Done-Nothing 111th and Taxes,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 18, 2010.
``Democrats Prioritize Radical Feminists Over Low Taxes,''
Washington Examiner, November 19, 2010.
``Let's Not Internationalize Fairness,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 25, 2010.
``Black Friday Reveals Inequality Mirage,'' Washington
Examiner, November 26, 2010.
``With Taxes, Ignorance Is Bliss,'' Tax Notes, November 29,
2010.
``Cut Tax Expenditures, and Taxes,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 2, 2010.
``Grassroots Closely Eye House Energy and Commerce
Chairmanship,'' Washington Examiner, December 3, 2010.
``Cheers To Obama On Taxes,'' RealClearMarkets.com, December 9,
2010.
``An Expensive Tax Cut Deal,'' Washington Examiner, December 9,
2010.
``Is Europe America's Albatross?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 16, 2010.
``Obamacare Will Hurt Low-Skill Workers,'' Washington Examiner,
December 16, 2010.
``Where Unions Are, Americans Aren't,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 23, 2010.
``Americans Dodge Unions, But Feds Insist On Them Anyway,''
Washington Examiner, December 23, 2010.
``How to Reduce Unemployment,'' RealClearMarkets.com, December
30, 2010.
``Five Ways Washington Can Fix Unemployment,'' Washington
Examiner, December 30, 2010.
``A Challenge for the New Congress,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 6, 2011.
``End the Highway Trust Fund,'' Washington Examiner, January 6,
2011.
``Behind the Numbers: Workers drop out of work force, but it
can still be fixed,'' Washington Examiner, January 8, 2011.
``Revenue Neutrality for Tax Expenditure Cuts,'' Tax Notes,
January 10, 2011.
``Extreme Budget Illogic at the CBO,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 13, 2011.
``Number Games Obscure Value of Obamacare Repeal,'' Washington
Examiner, January 14, 2011.
``Obama Approaches Regulations Backwards,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 20, 2011.
``If Obama's So Big on Fixing Regulation, Why Can't Americans
Invest in Facebook?'' Washington Examiner, January 20, 2011.
``Workers Vote With Their Feet as Union Membership Rate
Drops,'' Washington Examiner, January 20, 2011.
``Bank Robbery by another Name,'' Tax Notes, January 25, 2010.
``Showing the Way On Spending Cuts,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 27, 2011.
``RSC Proposal Is A Reasonable Plan to Cut Spending,''
Washington Examiner, January 27, 2011.
``What Now, After Health Care Ruling? '' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 3, 2011.
``How Will Republicans Replace Obamacare?'' Washington
Examiner, February 3, 2011.
``People Leaving the Workforce Means Unemployment is Down,''
Washington Examiner, February 5, 2011.
``Time to Wind Down the Federal Highway Trust Fund?'' Tax
Notes, February 7, 2011.
``Legal Reform As Economic Stimulus,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 10, 2011.
``Cut, Don't Promote, High-Speed Rail,'' Washington Examiner,
February 10, 2011.
``Fiscal Sanity Requires Courage,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 17, 2011.
``Big Government is Taking its Bad Medicine,'' Washington
Examiner, February 17, 2011.
``With Unions, Follow the Money,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 24, 2011.
``Energy Independence Means More Domestic Production,''
Washington Examiner, February 24, 2011.
``Obama, Women's Wages, Myths,'' RealClearMarkets.com, March 3,
2011.
``Regulation Hampers the Very Medical Innovations We Need,''
Washington Examiner, March 3, 2011.
``America Needs More Oil Production, Not Less,'' Tax Notes,
March 7, 2011.
``Wisconsin Provides a National Model,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 10, 2011.
``Children Will Read, so Give Them Good Books,'' Washington
Examiner, March 10, 2011.
``Advice for Mr. Obama on Energy,'' RealClearMarkets.com, March
17, 2011.
``More Obama Energy Moves That Will Cripple the Economy,''
Washington Examiner, March 17, 2011.
``Coal, The Unsung Cheap Energy,'' RealClearMarkets.com, March
24, 2011.
``A Euro Collapse Will Harm U.S. Economy More Than Japan's
Disaster,'' Washington Examiner, March 24, 2011.
``Union Members Have a Right to Know,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 31, 2011.
``Why Not Disclose What Happens to $8 Billion in Union Dues?''
Washington Examiner, March 31, 2011.
``Cracking the Toughest Entitlement Nut: Medicare,'' Tax Notes,
April 4, 2011.
``Government Shutdown Myths,'' RealClearMarkets.com, April 7,
2011.
``Six of the Biggest Myths about Government Shutdowns,''
Washington Examiner, April 7, 2011.
``Tackling the Runaway Medicare Train,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 14, 2011.
`` `Premium Support' Isn't the Same as a `Voucher,' Mr.
President,'' Washington Examiner, April 14, 2011.
``No Cost-Benefit Studies Done for Obama's $53 Billion High-
Speed Rail Boondoggle,'' Washington Examiner, April 21, 2011.
``U.S. Aid Is Holding Africa Back,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 21, 2011.
``Let's Sunset the Ethanol Subsidy,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 28, 2011.
``Costly Ethanol Subsidies Should Be Ended Now,'' Washington
Examiner, April 28, 2011.
``The Real Ryan Resolution,'' Tax Notes, May 2, 2011.
``Forest Laboratories and the Facts,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 5, 2011.
``Obama, Sebelius Target 83-Year-Old Drug Executive,''
Washington Examiner, May 5, 2011.
``NLRB v. Boeing Is an Abuse of Power,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 12, 2011.
``NLRB's Boeing Suit Could Send U.S. Jobs Overseas,''
Washington Examiner, May 12, 2011.
``Response to Johnston on Healthcare Proposals,'' Tax Notes,
May 16, 2011.
``Fuel Taxes, Mileage Charges, and the Road Better Traveled,''
Tax Notes, May 17, 2010.
``Women Don't Need Federal Affirmative Action Programs,''
Washington Examiner, May 18, 2011.
``How to Address the Debt Ceiling,'' RealClearMarkets.com, May
19, 2011.
``If at First Government Fails, Then Spend, Spend Again,''
Washington Examiner, May 19, 2011.
``Let's Leave Our Roads to the States,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 26, 2011.
``What Ryan's Medicare Plan Really Does,'' Washington Examiner,
May 26, 2011.
``Ethanol Can Make It without Subsidies,'' Tax Notes, May 30,
2011.
``Sarkozy Confronts French Anti-Semitism,'' Moment Magazine,
May/June 2011.
``A Call For Light Bulb Sanity,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 2,
2011.
``Congress Should See the Light on Bulbs,'' Washington
Examiner, June 2, 2011.
``Hydrofracturing Can Fix State Budgets,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 9, 2011.
``Education Policies Fail A Promising Young Star,'' Washington
Examiner, June 9, 2011.
``Bringing Sanity To Student Loans,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
June 16, 2011.
``NLRB Assault on Boeing Will Cost Countless Jobs,'' Washington
Examiner, June 16, 2011.
``What Was the Wal-Mart Decision?'' RealClearMarkets.com, June
23, 2011.
``Trial Lawyers Won't Give Up on Wal-Mart Lawsuits,''
Washington Examiner, June 23, 2011.
``Exposing the Demonizers of Shale Gas,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
June 30, 2011.
``What the Times Didn't Tell You About Ian Urbina,'' Washington
Examiner, June 30, 2011.
``How to Create Jobs Without Spending a Dime,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 7, 2011.
``Mr. President, Pick Up the Phone and Call in Some Jobs,''
Washington Examiner, July 7, 2011.
``The Virtues of a Balanced Budget Amendment,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 14, 2011.
``More Red Tape Coming with Obama Spring Agenda,'' Washington
Examiner, July 15, 2011.
``Innovative New Ideas for Job Creation,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 21, 2011.
``A Workable Balanced Budget Amendment,'' Tax Notes, July 25,
2011.
``How to Cut Taxes, Boost Revenue,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July
28, 2011.
``Column on the Deficit,'' CNN.com, August 2, 2011.
``A Small Step Toward Fiscal Solvency,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 4, 2011.
``Proposed European Tax on U.S. Flight Emissions Should Be Shot
Down,'' Washington Examiner, August 4, 2011.
``Bipartisan Opposition To the EU Airplane Emissions Tax,''
RealClear
Markets.com, August 11, 2011.
``Josh Coyne Shows America Is Still the Land Of Opportunity,''
Washington Examiner, August 11, 2011.
``Obama's Jobs Policies Will Reduce Job Opportunities,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 18, 2011.
``Reality Is Found Beyond The Washington Beltway,'' Washington
Examiner, August 18, 2011.
``Europe's Unprecedented International Travel Tax,'' Tax Notes,
August 22, 2011.
``Congress, Not Obama, Should Set Immigration Policy,''
Washington Examiner, August 25, 2011.
``Getting Real On Immigration,'' RealClearMarkets.com, August
25, 2011.
``Supercommittee Is A Mere Appetizer For The Banquet Of Cuts To
Come,'' Newsmax.com, August 25, 2011.
``Mr. Obama, Tear Down Those Union Posters,'' Washington
Examiner, September 1, 2011.
``The NLRB's ``Gift'' Of Job Loss,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 1, 2011.
``Don't Forget the Job Killing EPA, Mr. Obama,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 8, 2011.
``Voters Get Clear Choice On Jobs With Obama, GOP,'' Washington
Examiner, September 8, 2011.
``Obamacare Is A Job Killer For Small Business, Franchises,''
Washington Examiner, September 15, 2011.
``Slow Employment Growth? Look to Obamacare,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 15, 2011.
``Job Creation and the Affordable Care Act,'' Tax Notes,
September 19, 2011.
``Solyndra Gave Feds 22 Pages Of Reasons Why The Firm Could
Fail,'' Washington Examiner, September 22, 2011.
``Solyndra and the Perils of Industrial Policy,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 22, 2011.
``What Obamanomics Has Meant for Latinos,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 29, 2011.
``Obama Should Call For Immigration Reform,'' Washington
Examiner, September 29, 2011.
``The DOE Hasn't Learned Its Solyndra Lessons,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 6, 2011.
``Steve Jobs Didn't Get Loan Guarantees,'' Washington Examiner,
October 6, 2011.
``The Republican Debate,'' The Guardian, October 11, 2011.
``Analyzing Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 13, 2011.
``Cain's `9-9-9' Could Lead To A VAT,'' Washington Examiner,
October 13, 2011.
``Examining Herman Cain's 9-9-9 Tax Plan,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 13, 2011.
``The Economic Disappointment of Generation O,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 20, 2011.
``Honesty Is the Best Policy for Federal Budgets,'' Tax Notes,
October 24, 2011.
``Dueling Tax Plans In the GOP,'' RealClearMarkets.com, October
27, 2011.
``Another Unpleasant Surprise from Obamacare,'' Washington
Examiner, October 27, 2011.
``Obama's Green-Energy Jobs Lie,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 3, 2011.
``More Green Energy Jobs Exposed as Myths,'' Washington
Examiner, November 3, 2011.
``Forget the Wealth Gap, It's the Age/Income Gap,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 10, 2011.
``David Salzman's Valiant Fight for What Truly Matters,''
Washington Examiner, November 10, 2011.
``The Pros and Cons of Carbon Taxes,'' Tax Notes, November 14,
2011.
``Will the Poor Be Able to Afford Obamacare?''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 17, 2011.
``No Sense In Democrats Supporting Occupy Protesters,''
Washington Examiner, November 17, 2011.
``Supercommittee Didn't Have To Fail,'' Washington Examiner,
November 24, 2011.
``There's No Appetite for Kyoto II,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 1, 2011.
`` `Geo-Engineering' May Solve Global Warming Problem,''
Washington Examiner, December 1, 2011.
``The Feds Pay Bureaucrats $137M/Year Not to Work,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 8, 2011.
``Obama's Keystone Slow-Walking Hurts Jobs Creation,''
Washington Examiner, December 8, 2011.
``The Portman Solution,'' Tax Notes, December 12, 2011.
``Payroll Tax GOP Hands Obama Potential Victory,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 15, 2011.
``House GOP Hands Obama a Re-Election Tool,'' Washington
Examiner, December 15, 2011.
``EPA Tries to Pull a Fast One,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 22, 2011.
``How to Revive Jerusalem, Israel's Poorest City,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 29, 2011.
``Opening Trade Could Ease West Bank Tensions,'' Washington
Examiner, December 29, 2011.
``The Economic Policies of Iowa's Winners,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 5, 2012.
``Obama Moving Imperial Presidency To Dangerous New Level,''
Washington Examiner, January 5, 2012.
``Will the rising star of Rick Santorum give Romney a run for
his money?'' Daily Mail, January 5, 2012.
``The Republican race all comes down to South Carolina,'' Daily
Mail, January 11, 2012.
``Obama Appointments No Way To Run A Democracy,'' Washington
Examiner, January 12, 2012.
``NLRB Obama Bludgeons the Constitution,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 12, 2012.
``The Economy Creates and Destroys Jobs Every Year,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 19, 2012.
``Obama Blows It on Keystone Decision,'' Washington Examiner,
January 19, 2012.
``How Can Obama's Class War Put An End To Partisan Politics?''
Daily Mail, January 25, 2012.
``President Obama's Capital Gains Tax Envy,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 26, 2012.
``Has Obama Seen the Light on Oil?'' Washington Examiner,
January 26, 2012.
``A Good, But Not Great, Highway Bill,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 2, 2012.
``Teens Will Lose If Minimum Wage Pegged to Inflation,''
Washington Examiner, February 2, 2012.
``Romney Has Serious Problems, He Has Dollars but No Sense,''
Daily Mail, February 3, 2012.
``Higher Capital Gains Taxes Will Cause Capital Erosion,'' Tax
Notes, February 6, 2012.
``Santorum Emerges as a Factor,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 9, 2012.
``Santorum's Economic Plan,'' Washington Examiner, February 9,
2012.
``The State and Local Pension Crisis,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 16, 2012.
``Uncle Sam Can't Bail Out States If He's Broke,'' Washington
Examiner, February 16, 2012.
``Taxing Miles Driven Over Fuel Consumed,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 1, 2012.
``Measuring Income Inequality,'' Tax Notes, March 5, 2012.
``The Misleading Tale of Income Inequality,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 8, 2012.
``Is Economic Mobility In the U.S. Dead?''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 15, 2012.
``Rep. Ryan's Common-Sense Budget,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 22, 2012.
``The Economic Costs of Obamacare,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
March 29, 2012.
``Battle of the Budgets,'' Tax Notes, April 2, 2012.
``Medicare Is a Future Budget Buster,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
April 5, 2012.
``The 4 percent Growth Project,'' RealClearMarkets.com, April
12, 2012.
``How To Get Warren Buffett to Pay His Fair Share,'' Daily
Mail, April 12, 2012.
``Dakota Wood,'' Newsmax.com, April 15, 2012.
``Women's Figures: Second Edition,'' American Enterprise
Institute, April 17, 2012.
``Gen O Discovers Washington's Debt Bomb,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 19, 2012.
``Your Future Share of U.S. Debt? There's an App for That,''
Daily Mail, April 20, 2012.
``The Mysterious White House/CBO Deficit Disparity,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 26, 2012.
``American Election: The Audacity of Obama's Deficit Reduction
Claims,'' Daily Mail, April 27, 2012.
``Congress Can Solve Illinois' Pension Crisis,'' Chicago
Tribune, April 28, 2016.
``Raising Oil Taxes Would Hurt Average Americans,'' Tax Notes,
April 30, 2012.
``Paycheck Act Is Trial Lawyers' Payday,'' Washington Examiner,
May 1, 2012.
``Romney Flirts With Pay Equity,'' RealClearMarkets.com, May 3,
2012.
``David McIntosh: A genuine voice for Congress,'' Daily Mail,
May 3, 2012.
``Paycheck Fairness Act Is Based on a Misapplied Statistic,''
USNews.com, May 4, 2012.
``Has The Euro's Demise Finally Arrived?'' Washington Examiner,
May 8, 2012.
``A Mortgage Deal With the Wrong Incentives,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 10, 2012.
``Fiscal Ruin? There's An App For That,'' Washington Examiner,
May 15, 2012.
``An Unemployment Crisis for Older or Younger Workers?''
RealClear
Markets.com, May 17, 2012.
``Fuzzy Math Undermines Budget Credibility,'' Washington
Examiner, May 22, 2012.
``Educated Children Are Successful Children,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 24, 2012.
``Budget Taxmageddon Is Here'', Tax Notes, May 28, 2012.
``Parental Choice Is The Best Reform To Education,'' Washington
Examiner, May 29, 2012.
``Bain Efficiency vs. Obama Cronyism,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 31, 2012.
``Solis Won't Testify On DOL Media Flap,'' Washington Examiner,
June 3, 2012.
``Green Power Corrupts,'' Washington Examiner, June 5, 2012.
``Aborting Girls Because They're Girls Is The Real `War On
Women','' Washington Examiner, June 6, 2012.
``Unions and Economic Mobility Is There a Link?''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 7, 2012.
``Green Power Corrupts, Again,'' Washington Examiner, June 12,
2012.
``Choose Lower Taxes for Economic Recovery,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 14, 2012.
``Tips For Teenage Entrepreneurs,'' Washington Examiner, June
19, 2012.
``Pipelines The Safest Way to Move Fuel,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 21, 2012.
``With Obamacare, It's The Economic Costs That Matter,''
Washington Examiner, June 26, 2012.
``Beyond the Supremes A Better Health Insurance System,''
RealClear
Markets.com, June 28, 2012.
``America Can Work Out A System of Health Insurance without the
Interference of Federal Government,'' Daily Mail, June 28,
2012.
``The Real War on Women,'' Tax Notes, July 2, 2012.
``Private Pensions Evade Honest Accounting,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 5, 2012.
``Presenting Alternatives To Obamacare,'' Washington Examiner,
July 10, 2012.
``ObamaTax Will Make Insured Sicker, More Costly,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 12, 2012.
``Perils Of A Corporate Profit Slowdown,'' MarketWatch.com,
July 14, 2012.
``Higher Taxes Won't Cure What Ails Us,'' Washington Examiner,
July 17, 2012.
``The War On Women Is an Economic Outrage,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 19, 2012.
``The Real War on Women,'' Washington Examiner, July 24, 2012.
``We Can't Rely On the Fed to Rescue Us,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 26, 2012.
``The Gender Wage Gap Is A Myth,'' MarketWatch.com, July 26,
2012.
``Congress vs. GASB: Differences in Assumed Pension Return
Rates,'' Tax Notes, July 30, 2012.
``Central Bankers Cannot Save Us,'' Washington Examiner, July
31, 2012.
``How To Keep The Young Unemployed,'' MarketWatch.com, August
1, 2012.
``The U.S. Is On India's Horrid Energy Path,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 12, 2012.
``Even 5th Graders Know Mitt Won't Raise Taxes,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 7, 2012.
``Flat-Out Lies On Romney's Tax Plan,'' Washington Examiner,
August 7, 2012.
``The WARN Act dilemma,'' MarketWatch.com, August 9, 2012.
``Paul Ryan's Economics Aren't Anti-Woman,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 14, 2012.
``A Serious Man In Unserious Times,'' Washington Examiner,
August 14, 2012.
``By Choosing Budget Geek Paul Ryan as His Running Mate, Romney
Proves He's Serious About Economic Reform,'' Daily Mail, August
14, 2012.
``The Case For Supply-Side Tax Cuts,'' MarketWatch.com, August
17, 2012.
``Tapping the SPR Is a Bad Idea Every Time,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 21, 2012.
``A Gas Price Emergency--For America, Or For Obama,''
Washington Examiner, August 21, 2012.
``Why Henry Blodget Is Dead Wrong,'' MarketWatch.com, August
24, 2012.
``Tax Rates and Economic Growth,'' Tax Notes, August 27, 2012.
``Why Henry Blodget Is Dead Wrong,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 27, 2012.
``The U.S. Needs a Vigorous Medicare Debate,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 28, 2012.
``Stop Demonizing And Start Discussing The Ryan Plan,''
Washington Examiner, August 28, 2012.
``Paul Ryan's Rousing Speech in Tampa Has Cemented Medicare As
The Big Issue Splitting Voters,'' Daily Mail, August 30, 2012.
``Obama's Fuel Standards Don't Add Up,'' MarketWatch.com,
August 31, 2012.
``Could School Choice Erase the Income Gap?''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 4, 2012.
``What The Democrats Won't Say About Education,'' Washington
Examiner, September 4, 2012.
``The Focus On Green Jobs Is Misplaced,'' MarketWatch.com,
September 6, 2012.
``Deloitte Has New Ideas For Fixing Joblessness,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 11, 2012.
``Take Your Pick: Trendy Green Jobs, Or Real Jobs?,''
Washington Examiner, September 11, 2012.
``Medicare Reform: Battling The Myths,'' MarketWatch.com,
September 13, 2012.
``Lax Rules Author Spike In Food Stamp Usage,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 18, 2012.
``Food Stamps Expand By Leaps,'' Washington Examiner, September
18, 2012.
``What Romney Should Have Said,'' MarketWatch.com, September
20, 2012.
``Apple's Been On a Tear--Without Government Assistance,''
RealClear
Markets.com, September 25, 2012.
``Rethinking 'Green' Tax Preferences,'' Washington Examiner,
September 25, 2012.
``How Obama's Green Energy Policies Are Bad For The Poor,''
Washington Examiner, October 1, 2012.
``Time to Rethink Green Tax Preferences,'' Tax Notes, October
1, 2012.
``J.D. Kleinke Is Wrong, Obamacare Isn't Conservative,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 2, 2012.
``Two Visions For Energy: Smugness Or Prosperity?'' Washington
Examiner, October 2, 2012.
``Green-Energy Policy Hurts America,'' MarketWatch.com, October
3, 2012.
``Obama Argues Anti-Romney Case--Not Pro-Obama,''
MarketWatch.com, October 4, 2012.
``Obama Asks Big Business to Break the Law,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 9, 2012.
``California Gas Prices Are A Warning,'' Washington Examiner,
October 9, 2012.
``A Fairer Look At Taxes And Wealth,'' MarketWatch.com, October
12, 2012.
``Biden Fibbed Green Cronyism Is Alive and Well,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 16, 2012.
``White House To Contractors: Break The Law, We'll Pay The
Costs,'' Washington Examiner, October 16, 2012.
``Romney's Tax Plan Will Drive Business Growth,''
MarketWatch.com, October 17, 2012.
``Obama and Romney on the Wage Gap,'' National Review, October
17, 2012.
``Are Lower Taxes Fair?'' Tax Notes, October 22, 2012.
``Obama Envisions An Energy Future Through Pink Shades,''
RealClear
Markets.com, October 23, 2012.
``Obama's Attacks On Romney Belittle Presidency,''
MarketWatch.com, October 23, 2012.
``Energy Sources Of The Future, Or Of The Next Election?''
Washington Examiner, October 23, 2012.
``Memo To Ceos: Higher Taxes Slow Economy,'' MarketWatch.com,
October 25, 2012.
``The Evidence Is In Green Jobs Are a Total Waste,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 30, 2012.
``Bogus AAUW Study Perpetuates Wage Gap Myths,'' Washington
Examiner, October 30, 2012.
``Bloomberg's Misguided Endorsement Of Obama,''
MarketWatch.com, November 2, 2012.
``How to Fix the Affordable Care Act In 2013,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 6, 2012.
``Fixing The Unemployment Problem,'' Washington Examiner,
November 6, 2012.
``Time For Obama To Show Leadership On Taxes,''
MarketWatch.com, November 7, 2012.
``The Fed Dismisses the Needs of Savers,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 13, 2012.
``Regulating to Disaster,'' Newsmax.com, November 13, 2012.
``Washington Must Not Kill America's Energy Revolution,''
Washington Examiner, November 13, 2012.
``Corporate Tax Reform Should Come First,'' Tax Notes, November
19, 2012.
``With Ethanol, Obama Ignores Common Sense,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 20, 2012.
``A Broken Immigration System Puts A Dad In Limbo,'' Washington
Examiner, November 20, 2012.
``Why The Fiscal Cliff Matters,'' MarketWatch.com, November 23,
2012.
``What Do Unions Not Want Walmart Employees to Know?''
RealClear
Markets.com, November 27, 2012.
``The Real Reason Unions Are Targeting Wal-Mart,'' Washington
Examiner, November 27, 2012.
``The Hard Facts About Spending Cuts,'' MarketWatch.com,
November 29, 2012.
``Review of Green is Good: Save Money, Make Money, and Help
Your Community Profit from Clean Energy by Brian F. Keane,''
Barron's, December 2, 2012.
``Cut Tax Rates, Boost Tax Revenues,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 4, 2012.
`` `Fiscal Cliff' Deal Needs Spending Cuts,'' Washington
Examiner, December 4, 2012.
``Medicare Is Unsustainable In Current Form,'' MarketWatch.com,
December 6, 2012.
``Medicare Is Clearly Unsustainable,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 7, 2012.
``It's a Fact That Politicians Wreck Work Incentives,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 11, 2012.
``Reform Is Needed To Save Medicare,'' Washington Examiner,
December 11, 2012.
``Right-To-Work Comes Just In Time For Michigan,''
MarketWatch.com, December 13, 2012.
``Low-Income Individuals Already Face a Fiscal Cliff,'' Tax
Notes, December 17, 2012.
``At the 11th Hour, Obama & Boehner Begin to Deal,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 18, 2012.
``Three Lost Issues In `Fiscal Cliff' Debate,'' Washington
Examiner, December 18, 2012.
``Cutting Corporate Taxes Would Stimulate Economy,''
MarketWatch.com, December 20, 2012.
``Maybe You Never Met Bork, But He Made Your Life Better,''
Washington Examiner, December 25, 2012.
``Obama Can Resolve Cliff By Backing His 2011 Plan,''
MarketWatch.com, December 27, 2012.
``A New Year's Resolution: Tax Reform,'' Washington Examiner,
January 1, 2013.
``Higher Taxes Penalize Working Wives,'' MarketWatch.com,
January 4, 2013.
``3 Ways Congress Can Boost Growth,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 8, 2013.
``A Good Dinner, A Friendly Chat, An Effective Policy,''
Washington Examiner, January 8, 2013.
``Just 1 Cheer for the American Taxpayer Relief Act of 2012,''
Tax Notes, January 14, 2013.
``Don't Be Fooled By the Meritless Carbon Tax,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 15, 2013.
``Obama Must Come Back To The Table,'' Washington Examiner,
January 15, 2013.
``Is Union Membership A Bad Deal For Workers?''
MarketWatch.com, January 18, 2013.
``Obama & The Anti-Business Agenda,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 21, 2013.
``Obama Lays Out the Case for Big Government,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 22, 2013.
``Why The Unions Are Shrinking,'' Washington Examiner, January
22, 2013.
``America's Major Problem Is Unlimited Spending,''
MarketWatch.com, January 25, 2013.
``Immigrants Come to Work, So Let's Ease Their Arrival,''
RealClear
Markets.com, January 29, 2013.
``A Critical Moment For Immigration Reform,'' Washington
Examiner, January 29, 2013.
``How To Create More Jobs In 2013,'' MarketWatch.com, January
31, 2013.
``India's In the News For All the Wrong Reasons,''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 5, 2013.
``Cheap Fixes For The Jobs Bust,'' Washington Examiner,
February 5, 2013.
``America Needs Immigration For Economic Growth,''
MarketWatch.com, February 8, 2013.
``Farewell to the Carbon Tax,'' Tax Notes, February 11, 2013.
``Obama Must Drop Green For Real Energy,''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 12, 2013.
``If Obama Wants Growth, That Means Oil And Gas,'' Washington
Examiner, February 12, 2013.
``The Fed Isn't Helping Economic Growth,'' MarketWatch.com,
February 14, 2013.
``With Federal Layoffs Coming, It's Time to WARN Workers,''
RealClear
Markets.com, February 19, 2013.
``Government Contractors Fail To Warn Employees Of Layoffs,''
Washington Examiner, February 19, 2013.
``Book Review: The Declining Importance of Race and Gender in
the Labor Market, Washington Times,'' February 21, 2013.
``Raising The Minimum Wage Is Bad News,'' MarketWatch.com,
February 22, 2013.
``To Cut Government Spending, Lay Off the Loafers,''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 26, 2013.
``The Federal Employees Who Don't Work For Taxpayers,''
Washington Examiner, February 26, 2013.
``Easy Money Will End in Tears,'' RealClearMarkets.com, March
2, 2013.
``To Navigate $12M Sequester, BLS Cuts Green Jobs,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 5, 2013.
``How The Fed Has Juiced The Stock Market,'' Washington
Examiner, March 5, 2013.
``Collecting Immigrants' Back Taxes: An Impossible Dream,'' Tax
Notes, March 11, 2013.
``Scrap Immigrant Taxes, Go For Amnesty Fee,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 12, 2013.
``How Will Illegal Immigrants Pay Back-Taxes?'' Washington
Examiner, March 12, 2013.
``Cyprus Forces Politics Back Into Banking and Bailouts,''
RealClear
Markets.com, March 19, 2013.
``Obamacare's Crushing Burden,'' Washington Examiner, March 19,
2013.
Green Jobs Haven't Lived Up To Obama's Promise,''
MarketWatch.com, March 22, 2013.
``Friends of the Poor Are Often Their Greatest Enemies,''
RealClear
Markets.com, March 26, 2013.
``How To Lift A Nation Out Of Poverty,'' Washington Examiner,
March 26, 2013.
``Pipelines Are The Safest Way To Transport Energy,''
MarketWatch.com, March 29, 2013.
``The Obamacare Story Starts To Unravel,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 2, 2013.
``Catastrophic Health Insurance Can Lower Costs,'' Washington
Examiner, April 2, 2013.
``Stockman's Rant Ignores What's Right With America,''
MarketWatch.com, April 3, 2013.
``Tragedy in Lac-Megantic,'' The Globe and Mail, April 7, 2013.
``Will the Medical Device Excise Tax Bite the Dust?'' Tax
Notes, April 8, 2013.
``Thatcher Loved Merit, Decried 'Equal Pay',''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 9, 2013.
``People Should Be Paid For Their Work, Not Their Gender,''
Washington Examiner, April 9, 2013.
``Column on Women,'' The Sunday Times, April 10, 2013.
``The Jobs Crisis For Younger Workers,'' MarketWatch.com, April
12, 2013.
``The Medical Device Tax Hurts Weak, Strong, Sick and
Healthy,'' RealClear
Markets.com, April 16, 2013.
``New Labor Rule Will Violate Attorney-Client Privilege,''
Washington Examiner, April 16, 2013.
``Labor Disclosure Rule Is Unfair To Business,''
MarketWatch.com, April 17, 2013.
``Italy's Economy Vindicates Skeptics of Big Government,''
RealClear
Markets.com, April 23, 2013.
``Stop Paying Federal Air Traffic Controllers To Do Union
Work,'' Washington Examiner, April 23, 2013.
``6 Ways To Bring Italy Out Of Crisis,'' MarketWatch.com, April
25, 2013.
``For An Obamacare Preview, Look To England,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 30, 2013.
``British National Health Service Shows Obamacare's Future,''
Washington Examiner, April 30, 2013.
``Carbon Tax: An Idea Whose Time Should Not Come,''
MarketWatch.com, May 3, 2013.
``It's No Time to Raise Taxes on Oil and Gas,'' Tax Notes, May
6, 2013.
``Lets Cut Benefits, Not Immigration,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 7, 2013.
``Heritage Report Misses Immigration Mark,'' Washington
Examiner, May 7, 2013.
``The Case For Fracking In New York,'' MarketWatch.com, May 9,
2013.
``Fracking Could Create New Wealth For New York As It Has For
Pennsylvania,'' Washington Examiner, May 13, 2013.
``Securing the Border Is No Easy Feat,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
May 14, 2013.
``6 New IRS Questions For 2014,'' MarketWatch.com, May 17,
2013.
``House Ag Bill Includes Needed Food Stamp Reforms,''
Washington Examiner, May 21, 2013.
``The Real Washington Scandal? The War On Youth,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 22, 2013.
``Apple, IRS Highlight The Need For Tax Reform,''
MarketWatch.com, May 24, 2013.
``Bernanke's Cures Are the Economy's Disease,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 28, 2013.
``Fed's Easy Money Policies Can't Go On Forever,'' Washington
Examiner, May 28, 2013.
``4 Benefits Of `Bare-Bones' Insurance Plans,''
MarketWatch.com, May 31, 2013.
``Bare-Bones Insurance Could Lower ACA Revenues, Increase
Hiring,'' Tax Notes, June 3, 2013.
``New York's Fracking Ban Suffocates New Yorkers,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 4, 2013.
``Tax Simplification Is Key To Growth, Fairness,'' Washington
Examiner, June 4, 2013.
``4 Ways The Government Is Discouraging Hiring,''
MarketWatch.com, June 6, 2013.
``While the Rest of Us Toil, Government Workers Get `Official
Time','' RealClearMarkets.com, June 11, 2013.
``Hundreds Of VA Employees Working For Union On Taxpayers'
Dime,'' Washington Examiner, June 11, 2013.
``Pipeline Safety,'' National Review, June 12, 2013.
``Avandia Win A Pyrrhic Victory For Consumers,''
MarketWatch.com, June 14, 2013.
``Women, and the Unequal Pay Myth,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June
18, 2013.
``Christina Hoff `Freedom Feminism' Is Right Path For Women's
Movement,'' Washington Examiner, June 18, 2013.
``The CBO And The Case For Immigration,'' MarketWatch.com, June
19, 2013.
``Obama's New Environmental Regulations Would Weaken The
Economy Further,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 25, 2013.
``Column on President Obama's Environmental Regs,'' Washington
Examiner, June 25, 2013.
``How Will Gay Marriage Impact The Deficit?'' MarketWatch.com,
June 26, 2013.
``Same-Sex Marriage Decisions Won't Affect Uncle Sam's Bottom
Line,'' Tax Notes, July 1, 2013.
``The Senate Immigration Bill Encourages More Illegal
Immigration,'' RealClearMarkets.com, July 2, 2013.
``Delay In Obamacare Penalties Won't Help Hiring,''
MarketWatch.com, July 3, 2013.
``Don't Require Union Wages For Immigrants,'' Washington
Examiner, July 3, 2013.
``Europe's Economic Crisis Explained Through Soccer,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 9, 2013.
``Energy Safety Requires More Pipelines,'' Washington Examiner,
July 9, 2013.
``6 Changes That Would Improve Obamacare,'' MarketWatch.com,
July 12, 2013.
``As Global Warming Stalls, Activists Talk `Climate Change',''
RealClear
Markets.com, July 16, 2013.
`` `Living Wage' Measures Hurt The Young, Unskilled Workers The
Most,'' Washington Examiner, July 17, 2013.
``Larry Summers' Views On Women Shouldn't Disqualify Him,''
RealClear
Markets.com, July 23, 2013.
``Larry Summers for Federal Reserve Chairman,'' Washington
Examiner, July 24, 2013.
``The Tax-Exempt Status of Worker Organizations,'' Tax Notes,
July 29, 2013.
``What You Should Know About Job Killing `Worker Centers',''
RealClear
Markets.com, July 30, 2013.
``More Of The Same In Chattanooga From A One-Tune President,''
Washington Examiner, July 30, 2013.
``The UAW Turns Its Crippling Sights South,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 6, 2013.
``A Homeless, Minimum-Wage Worker With A Union PR Agent?''
Washington Examiner, August 7, 2013.
``Why the Fed Should Start Tapering,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 9, 2013.
``With Immigration, Congress Shouldn't Set Wages,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 13, 2013.
``ROC United Diners Guide Will Keep Teens Out Of The Job
Market,'' Washington Examiner, August 14, 2013.
``Unlearning World Bank Lessons To Fix Local Poverty,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 20, 2013.
``Hilton Head Offers A Better Way Out Of Poverty Than Minimum
Wage Hikes,'' Washington Examiner, August 21, 2013.
``Making An Investment In At-Risk Kids,'' MarketWatch.com,
August 23, 2013.
``States Build Better Roads to Infrastructure Funding'', Tax
Notes, August 26, 2013.
``A Fast Food Strike Staged To Benefit a Rich Union,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 27, 2013.
``Harbor Windmills Are No Bargain For Massachusetts
Residents,'' Washington Examiner, August 28, 2013.
``Road Rage: States Get Creative To Fund Highways,''
MarketWatch.com, August 30, 2013.
``Under Charles Lollar, Maryland Could Achieve Elusive
Growth,'' RealClear
Markets.com, September 3, 2013.
``Charismatic Black Goper Sets Sights On Maryland
Governorship,'' Washington Examiner, September 4, 2013.
``Six Points To Note From Friday's Jobs Report,''
MarketWatch.com, September 5, 2013.
``When It Pays Not To Work,'' RealClearMarkets.com, September
10, 2013.
``The Cost of Syria Is Money the Military Doesn't Have,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 10, 2013.
``Syria Fight Came At Just The Right Time For Obama,''
Washington Examiner, September 11, 2013.
``Are Some Worker Rights Worth More Than Others?''
MarketWatch.com, September 13, 2013.
``You Know the Fed Chairman, And That's the Problem,''
RealClear
Markets.com, September 17, 2013.
``Federal Reserve Chairman Is Washington's Most Powerful
Official,'' Washington Examiner, September 18, 2013.
``How To Grow The Economy And Cut Spending,'' MarketWatch.com,
September 20, 2013.
``Where Not to Die,'' Tax Notes, September 23, 2013.
``No Glass Ceiling In Germany for Politicians,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 24, 2013.
``Obamacare Will Leave Millions Of Low-Income Americans Without
Health Insurance,'' Washington Examiner, September 25, 2013.
``Will Obamacare Hurt Job Creation And Marriage?''
MarketWatch.com, September 27, 2013.
``Calling Obama's Bluff On Obamacare,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 1, 2013.
``A Common-Sense Path Out Of The Government Shutdown Impasse,''
Washington Examiner, October 1, 2013.
``Can Fracking Save The U.S. Economy?'' MarketWatch.com,
October 4, 2013.
``Courts Hold the Key to Obamacare's Future,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 8, 2013.
``IRS Heist Of Premium Subsidies Could Wreck Obamacare,''
Washington Examiner, October 9, 2013.
``Janet Yellen Can't Fix The Economy,'' MarketWatch.com,
October 11, 2013.
``The Rich Don't Care For the Poor? What a Laugh,''
RealClearMarket.com, October 15, 2013.
``Don't Expect Magic From Janet Yellen At The Federal
Reserve,'' Washington Examiner, October 16, 2013.
``In Immigration, U.S. Loses Out To Canada,'' MarketWatch.com,
October 18, 2013.
``Watch Out, New York--De Blasio's Coming,'' Tax Notes, October
21, 2013.
``In Two Weeks, New York City Will Commit Suicide,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 22, 2013.
``U.S. Should Adopt Canada's Immigration System,'' Washington
Examiner, October 22, 2013.
``Court Could Block Obamacare Subsidies In 34 States,''
MarketWatch.com, October 25, 2013.
``Sorry New York Times, Inflation Doesn't Lead to Growth,''
RealClear
Markets.com, October 29, 2013.
``Vehicle Mileage Taxes Could Help States Take Over Road
Building From Washington,'' Washington Examiner, October 29,
2013.
``One Wish from Budget Negotiations,'' CNN.com, October 31,
2013.
``U.S. Highways Could Be Paved With Gold,'' MarketWatch.com,
November 1, 2013.
``In King v. Sebelius, Obamacare's Viability Hangs In
Balance,'' RealClear
Market.com, November 5, 2013.
``Obamacare Subsidies At Stake In Two New Federal Court
Cases,'' Washington Examiner, November 5, 2013.
``Calvin Coolidge Transformed The Economy--Can We?''
MarketWatch.com, November 8, 2013.
``Gasoline Lines and Cancelled Health Insurance Policies,''
RealClear
Markets.com, November 12, 2013.
``Obama Should Approve Keystone And Encourage More Pipelines,''
Washington Examiner, November 12, 2013.
``Pipelines are Safer than Rail, Period,'' Economics21.org,
November 13, 2013.
``Four Reasons To Choose Community College,'' MarketWatch.com,
November 15, 2013.
``Subsidizing the Green Theology of Wind Energy Tax Credits,''
Tax Notes, November 18, 2013.
``Will Congress Finally Kill Ethanol and Wind Energy?''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 19, 2013.
``Government Doesn't Work As A Health Insurance Middleman,''
Washington Examiner, November 19, 2013.
``6 Lessons From JFK On Tax Policy,'' MarketWatch.com, November
22, 2013.
``Unions Hate That Workers Highly Covet Wal-Mart Jobs,''
RealClear
Markets.com, November 26, 2013.
``Worker Centers Are Doing Unions' Dirty Work For The
Holidays,'' Washington Examiner, November 26, 2013.
``Forget Black Friday, The Tax Man Is Coming For You,''
MarketWatch.com, November 29, 2013.
``Tax Man Is Coming for New Yorkers,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 1, 2013.
``Minimum Wage Meets the Political Machine,'' Economics21.org,
December 3, 2013.
``Minimum Wage Boosters Don't Know Basic Economics,'' RealClear
Markets.com, December 4, 2013.
``Raising Minimum Wage Hurts Young People,'' Washington
Examiner, December 4, 2013.
``Let's Make Job Creation Easier,'' Economics21.org, December
5, 2013.
``The Income-Inequality Problem Is Overblown,''
MarketWatch.com, December 6, 2013.
``When it Pays Not to Work, People Stay Home,''
Economics21.org, December 9, 2013.
``Krugman's Unemployment Answer Stares Him In the Face,''
RealClear
Markets.com, December 10, 2013.
``Inequality Depends On How You Measure It,'' Washington
Examiner, December 11, 2013.
``Many Women Don't Want To Be CEO--And That's OK,''
MarketWatch.com, December 13, 2013.
``Courts Could End Obamacare in Most States,'' Tax Notes,
December 16, 2013.
``Obama Makes the IRS Free Speech Cop Too,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 17, 2013.
``Obama Administration Misuses Rules To Punish Enemies And
Reward Friends,'' Washington Examiner, December 17, 2013.
``The Real Cost Of Raising The Minimum Wage,'' MarketWatch.com,
December 20, 2013.
``If Possible, Fed Forecasts Are Worse Than Its Policies,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 24, 2013.
``Congress Should Let Everyone Buy Catastrophic Health
Insurance,'' Washington Examiner, December 24, 2013.
``Health Insurance For Everyone?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
December 27, 2013.
``10 Stocks For The U.S. Economy's Revival In 2014,''
MarketWatch.com, December 27, 2013.
``Ten Missed Economic Opportunities In 2013,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 31, 2013.
``Open Doors To Those Who Want To Come To The U.S. To Work,''
Washington Examiner, December 31, 2013.
``Turkey's Turmoil Will Only Get Worse In 2014,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 7, 2014.
``Enough Is Enough: No New Unemployment Insurance Extension,''
Washington Examiner, January 7, 2014.
``The IRS Should Not Regulate Political Speech,'' Tax Notes,
January 13, 2014.
``Who Is Dropping Out Of The Labor Force, and Why?''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 14, 2014.
``The Three Myths Of Labor Force Participation,'' Washington
Examiner, January 14, 2014.
``New Rules to Deprive Seniors of Drugs, Doctors,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 21, 2014.
``Snow Day Musing: Americans Don't Miss The Vast Federal
Bureaucracy That Sucks Up Their Tax Dollars,'' Washington
Examiner, January 21, 2013.
``The State Of The Union I'd Like To See,'' MarketWatch.com,
January 24, 2014.
``Does Paul Krugman Have a Retirement Account?''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 28, 2014.
``Obama's Minimum Wage Order Is Out Of Step With America,''
Washington Examiner, January 28, 2014.
``Making School Choice Work: A Lesson From Israel,''
MarketWatch.com, January 31, 2014.
``The Verdict On Keystone XL Is In,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 4, 2014.
``Obama's Solution To Phony Wage Gap Is Another Job-Killer,''
Washington Examiner, February 4, 2014.
``CVS's Decision Isn't Really About Smoking,'' MarketWatch.com,
February 5, 2014.
``Solving the State and Local Pension Crisis,'' Tax Notes,
February 10, 2014.
``Why Is VW Helping The UAW Unionize?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 11, 2014.
``Obama Should Work With Congress To Eliminate Employer
Mandate,'' Washington Examiner, February 11, 2014.
``Why Tipped Workers Don't Need A Raise,'' MarketWatch.com,
February 13, 2014.
``Oil Is Where the Growth Is, So Let's Drill,''
RealClearMarkets.com, February 18, 2014.
``International Union Politics At Play In UAW Bid For Tennessee
VW Workers,'' Washington Examiner, February 18, 2014.
``Can Higher Wages Actually Hurt The Economy?''
MarketWatch.com, February 21, 2014.
``CBO Misses Mark on Minimum Wage,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
February 23, 2014.
``The Fight Against Income Inequality Starts With Children,''
RealClear
Markets.com, February 25, 2014.
``Minimum Wage Supporters Mischaracterize Its Effects,''
Washington Examiner, February 25, 2014.
``Dave Camp's Tax Plan Doesn't Go Far Enough,''
MarketWatch.com, February 28, 2014.
``Public Employees Unions Help Boost State Debt Crisis,''
Washington Examiner, February 28, 2014.
``Save the Ukraine By Exporting Natural Gas,''
RealClearMarkets.com, March 4, 2014.
``Taxing Carried Interest Discourages Investment,''
MarketWatch.com, March 7, 2014.
``Can Maryland Eliminate Its Income Tax?'' Tax Notes, March 10,
2014.
``Unions Conclude Obamacare Will Make Inequality Worse,''
RealClear
Markets.com, March 11, 2014.
``Keystone XL Pipeline Delays: Don't Blame Canada,''
MarketWatch.com, March 14, 2014.
``Inequality As a Barrier to Growth? Invented Out of Thin
Air,'' RealClear
Markets.com, March 18, 2014.
``How The Fed Is Hurting Seniors,'' MarketWatch.com, March 21,
2014.
``Raise Your State's Minimum Wage? Why Be Like California?''
RealClear
Markets.com, March 25, 2014.
``How Obama Can Help, Not Hurt, Women In Today's Economy,''
Market
Watch.com, March 28, 2014.
`` `Paycheck Fairness' Will Lead to Fewer Paychecks, Less
Fairness,'' RealClear
Markets.com, April 1, 2014.
``Opponents Of Natural-Gas Exports Have It All Wrong,''
MarketWatch.com, April 4, 2014.
``To Boost the Economy, Let the Unemployment Bill Die,''
RealClear
Markets.com, April 8, 2014.
``Want to Help Women? End the Marriage Penalty,'' Tax Notes,
April 10, 2014.
``CVS, Walgreens Get Helping Hand From Obama,''
MarketWatch.com, April 11, 2014.
``On Tax Day, Tax-Cutting Candidates Take Center Stage,''
RealClear
Markets.com, April 15, 2014.
``It's Women Who Suffer Most From The Marriage Penalty,''
MarketWatch.com, April 18, 2014.
``The Systematic Errors In Thomas Piketty's New Book,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 22, 2014.
``Instead Of Taking Kids To Work, Bring Work To Kids,''
MarketWatch.com, April 24, 2014.
``Hitting Putin in the Pocketbook,'' Economics21.org, April 25,
2014.
``Public Employees Unions Help Boost State Debt Crisis,''
Washington Examiner, April 28, 2014.
``With the Keystone Delay, U.S. Is the Only Loser,''
RealClearMarkets.com, April 29, 2014.
``4 Easy Ways To Boost The U.S. Economy,'' MarketWatch.com, May
1, 2014.
``A Man of Numerous Ideas, Gary Becker Will Be Missed,''
RealClear
Markets.com, May 6, 2014.
``6 Dubious Yellenisms From The Fed Chair's Testimony,''
MarketWatch.com, May 8, 2014.
``One Dem's Equal-Pay Day War on a Woman,'' National Review,
May 9, 2014.
``No, Professor Piketty, Capital and Wealth Are Not
Synonymous,'' Tax Notes, May 12, 2014.
``Janet Yellen's Meddling Is Robbing Us of a Recovery,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 13, 2014.
``Union-Backed `Day of Action' Will Hurt Teens,''
Economics21.org, May 15, 2014.
``America Can't Prosper With Low Rates, Weak Dollar,''
MarketWatch.com, May 19, 2014.
``It Costs You a Fortune for Obama To Be Green,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 20, 2014.
``Yellen Should Really Say This To College Graduates,''
MarketWatch.com, May 21, 2014.
``As Veterans Languish, Federal Employees Do Union Work,''
MarketWatch.com, May 25, 2014.
``Obama's Plan to Make the Poor Even Poorer,''
RealClearMarkets.com, May 27, 2014.
``Manhattan Moment: Obama Should Not Impose Cap-And-Trade
Through Regulation,'' Washington Examiner, May 30, 2014.
``The White House's Invisible Pay Gap,'' National Review, July
3, 2014.
``Inequality In America Fact or Fiction?''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 4, 2014.
``How to Solve Urban Problems,'' RealClearMarkets.com, June 6,
2014.
``Cities Can Be Saved--If Politicians Move Out,''
MarketWatch.com, June 6, 2014.
``End Retroactive Taxation,'' Tax Notes, June 9, 2014.
``U.S. Tax Policy Is That Of A Silly Nation,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 10, 2014.
``5 Reasons The Tea Party Should Favor Immigration,''
MarketWatch.com, June 11, 2014.
``To Help Working Women, Set Them Free,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
June 17, 2014.
``An Unfinished Job In Iraq Will Cost America Dearly,''
MarketWatch.com, June 19, 2014.
``The IRS's E-Mail `Coincidences' Are Too Many,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 24, 2014.
``Young Get Punished for Internship Law,''
RealClearMarkets.com, June 29, 2014.
``Let's Not Unionize Home Health Care Workers,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 1, 2014.
``Automatic Obamacare Enrollment Is Anti-Patient,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 8, 2014.
``Piketty's Inequality Cure Hurts the Poor,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 11, 2014.
``Portuguese Bank Is Tip of the Iceberg,'' MarketWatch.com,
July 11, 2014.
``It's Time for Drivers to Pay for Their Roads,'' Tax Notes,
July 14, 2014.
``Drivers Should Pay For the Roads They Use,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 15, 2014.
``Obama Dances Around Serious Transportation Fixes,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 22, 2014.
``The U.S. Can Export Putin To His Knees,''
RealClearMarkets.com, July 29, 2014.
``Bill To Address Fake Campus-Rape Epidemic Goes Too Far,''
Market
Watch.com, August 1, 2014.
``Suddenly Every McDonald's Franchisee Is Worth Suing,''
RealClear
Markets.com, August 5, 2014.
``Manhattan Moment: Maryland's Motor Vehicle Bureaucracy Needs
an Overhaul,'' Washington Examiner, August 7, 2014.
``Tax Inversions Help the Economy,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
August 10, 2014.
``Watch Closely Obama's Treatment of Unions,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 12, 2014.
``One Easy Way To Save Up To 1 Million Lives A Year,''
MarketWatch.com, August 15, 2014.
``The Texas Economy Makes Rick Perry a Lefty Target,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 19, 2014.
``New Ideas for Ending Poverty,'' Tax Notes, August 18, 2014.
``Obama Executive Order On Immigration Would Backfire,''
MarketWatch.com, August 22, 2014.
``The Tale of Missing IRS E-Mails Gets More and More Curious,''
RealClearMarkets.com, August 26, 2014.
``Money Is Not The Answer For Our Bloated Public Education
System,'' MarketWatch.com, August 29, 2014.
``What to Look For In Friday's Unemployment Report,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 2, 2014.
``Fast-Food Worker Strikes Aren't What They Appear To Be,''
Market
Watch.com, September 4, 2014.
``The `Coincidence' of CVS and Tobacco,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
September 9, 2014.
``More Military Spending Could Actually Save The U.S. Money,''
MarketWatch.com, September 11, 2014.
``Nothing Unpatriotic About Doughnuts to Dollars,'' Tax Notes,
September 15, 2014.
``LNG Exports Are a Win For All Concerned,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 16, 2014.
``Women, Get Real: Here's The New Feminists' Manifesto,''
MarketWatch.com, September 19, 2014.
``The FDA Should Be In Ebola-Mode All the Time,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 23, 2014.
``5 Reasons To Counter Climate-Change Regulation,''
MarketWatch.com, September 25, 2014.
``Federal Workers Are Rewarded When They Waste Your Money,''
RealClearMarkets.com, September 30, 2014.
``Political Correctness Endangers President Obama's Life,''
MarketWatch.com, October 2, 2014.
``To Grow, America Needs More Legal Work Visas,'' Hoover
Institute, October 6, 2014.
``Federal Employees Spent 3.4 Million Hours Working For Their
Unions,'' MarketWatch.com, October 7, 2014.
``Worker Interests Are Well Served By `Tipped Wage',''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 9, 2014.
``There's More to Internet Taxation Than Meets the Eye,'' Tax
Notes, October 13, 2014.
``Don't Be Fooled, the Internet Is Already Taxed,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 14, 2014.
``This Nobel Prize-Worthy Economist Figured Out How To Destroy
Terrorism,'' MarketWatch.com, October 15, 2014.
``5 Reasons Janet Yellen Shouldn't Focus On Income
Inequality,'' MarketWatch.com, October 20, 2014.
``Will Apple Redefine How We Shop?'' RealClearMarkets.com,
October 21, 2014.
`` `Just Say Yes' To Making Marijuana Legal,'' MarketWatch.com,
October 24, 2014.
``No Band-Aids, Let's Have Real Tax Reform,''
RealClearMarkets.com, October 28, 2014.
``Maybe There Should Be A State Ballot That Bans State
Ballots,'' MarketWatch.com, October 31, 2014.
``A Non-Partisan Case For Obamacare Reform,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 4, 2014.
``Here's The New Congress' Most Important Task,''
MarketWatch.com, November 5, 2014.
``Forget the Purple Line, Mr. Hogan,'' Economics21.org,
November 7, 2014.
``Ignore Inequality for Comprehensive Tax Reform,'' Tax Notes,
November 10, 2014.
``A Supreme Court Case That Could Upend Obamacare,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 11, 2014.
``Dear World Leaders: Ignore Obama's Economic Advice,''
MarketWatch.com, November 12, 2014.
``President Obama's Abuse of Power Calls for Tough Oversight,''
Economics21.org, November 14, 2014.
``Obama's War On Working Women,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
November 18, 2014.
``How Obama's Plan On Immigration Will Enrich Wal-Mart,''
MarketWatch.com, November 20, 2014.
``OUR Walmart Is 100 percent Union, 0 percent WMT,''
RealClearMarkets.com, November 25, 2014.
``Do Immigrants Boost Economic Growth? Yes,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 2, 2014.
``The EPA Pours On The Pain With New Ozone Regulations,''
Market
Watch.com, December 3, 2014.
``Who Is Terrance Wise, the Strong Voice In the Fight for 15?''
Economics21.org, December 5, 2014.
``Republicans Should Choose a New CBO Director,'' Tax Notes,
December 8, 2014.
``Union Interests Work Against Low-Wage Workers,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 9, 2014.
``6 Ways Govt. Criminalizes Economic Activity,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 12, 2014.
``Union Elections Make Cuba's Seem Fair,''
RealClearMarkets.com, December 16, 2014.
``This Tax Change Could Keep Your Business Alive After Your
Death,'' MarketWatch.com, December 19, 2014.
``You Can't Avoid Death, But You Can Postpone The Death Tax,''
MarketWatch.com, December 19, 2014.
``The NLRB Turns Government into Kafka's Nightmare,'' RealClear
Markets.com, December 23, 2014.
``What I Learned With My 10 Stock Recommendations A Year Ago,''
Market
Watch.com, December 23, 2014.
``South Dakota Could Trump Obama In Blocking Keystone,''
RealClear
Markets.com, December 30, 2014.
``A Healthier Russia Is In The U.S.'s Best Interest,''
MarketWatch.com, January 5, 2015.
``Harvard Assault Regulations About Inequality Before the
Law,'' RealClearMarkets.com, January 6, 2015.
``Keystone XL And Two Other Things That Won't Happen In 2015,''
MarketWatch.com, January 9, 2015.
``Things That Won't Happen in 2015,'' RealClearMarkets.com,
January 11, 2015.
``To Make Welfare Work, Hand It to the States,''
RealClearMarkets.com, January 13, 2015.
``Raising Taxes on Capital Hurts the Middle Class,''
Economics21.org, January 19, 2015.
``Obama's Joke Of A Tax Plan Only Fuels Class Warfare,''
MarketWatch.com, January 21, 2015.
``Why Not Marco Rubio For President In 2016?'' MarketWatch.com,
January 23, 2015.
``Turn the United States Into a Tax Haven,'' Tax Notes, January
26, 2015.
``Minimum Wage Advocates Should Support School Choice,''
Economics21.org, January 27, 2015.
``McDonald's, Already Struggling, Now Has To Fight The
Government,'' MarketWatch.com, January 30, 2015.
``Here Are Five Obama Tax Proposals That Make No Sense,''
MarketWatch.com, February 3, 2015.
``Manhattan Moment: Franchise Owners Deserve a Break Today From
The Labor Board,'' Washington Examiner, February 6, 2015.
``With Job Creation Up, Workers Still Choose to Stay Home,''
Economics21.org, February 10, 2015.
``With Staples, Obama Once Again Interferes With The Private
Sector,'' MarketWatch.com, February 12, 2015.
``A New Fix for Obamacare,'' New York Times, February 13, 2015.
``Millions Of Americans In Danger Of Losing Key Obamacare Tax
Subsidy,'' MarketWatch.com, February 20, 2015.
``A Supreme Solution: The Health Checks Option,'' Tax Notes,
February 23, 2015.
``Obamacare's Vending Machine Power Grab,'' Economics21.org,
February 25, 2015.
``Republicans Get A New Power Broker In Washington,''
MarketWatch.com, February 27, 2015.
``The Real Scandal Is The U.S.'s Embrace Of Iran,''
MarketWatch.com, March 3, 2015.
``Labor Unions Just Lost Even More Power,'' MarketWatch.com,
March 10, 2015.
``Republicans Want A Better Life For You That Democrats Can't
Stand,'' MarketWatch.com, March 19, 2015.
``A Pathway to Solvency,'' Economics21.org, March 20, 2015.
``Congress Tackles the Weird World of Washington Budgeting,''
Tax Notes, March 23, 2015.
``Cruz's Gamble As The Only True Conservative May Pay Off,''
MarketWatch.com, March 24, 2015.
``House Subcommittee Raises Questions on New Union Election
Rules,'' Economics21.org, March 25, 2015.
``Seductive Liberal Agenda No Match for Modern Conservatism,''
CNSNews.com, March 30, 2015.
``Here's What An Almost Perfect Tax-Reform Plan Looks Like,''
MarketWatch.com, March 31, 2015.
``Hysterical Reaction To Indiana Law Is Destructive To Our
System Of Government,'' MarketWatch.com, April 1, 2015.
``Why Conservatives Win When Expectations Rise,''
TheFiscalTimes.com, April 1, 2015.
``More Americans Give Up Looking for Work,'' Economics21.org,
April 8, 2015.
``Feminists Overreach With Equal Pay Day,'' MarketWatch.com,
April 13, 2015.
`` `Popular Economics' Contains Inconvenient Truths For
Liberals,'' Market
Watch.com, April 15, 2015.
``New Congress Breaks Into Action With Smart Bills,''
MarketWatch.com, April 17, 2015.
``The Economic Benefits of Tax Integration,'' Tax Notes, April
20, 2015.
``New Purple Line Study Fails Economics 101,'' Economics21.org,
April 27, 2015.
``Trade Agreement Will Accomplish Nothing If Ports Aren't
Open,'' MarketWatch.com, April 28, 2015.
``Rubio Already Spearheading Tax Reform,'' Economics21.org, May
1, 2015.
``New York Times Explains Gender Wage Gap,'' Economics21.org,
May 4, 2015.
``3 Reasons Democrats Should Find Someone Other Than Hillary,''
MarketWatch.com, May 6, 2015.
``Teachers' Unions Throw Students Under the Bus,'' CNSNews.com,
May 7, 2015.
``Occupational Licensing Laws Hurt New Graduates,''
Watchdog.org, May 8, 2015.
``The Young Lose From a Higher Minimum Wage,'' Townhall, May 9,
2015.
``Four Ways to Reduce Poverty In America,'' MSNBC.com, May 10,
2015.
``Young Americans Have Yet Another Debt Burden,''
MarketWatch.com, May 11, 2015.
``Unpaid Internships: Do As Congress Says, Not As It Does,''
TheFederalist.com, May 11, 2015.
``Education Reform That Works,'' City Journal, May 13, 2015.
``How Government Debt Disinherited the Next Generation . . .
and How to Fix It,'' TheFiscalTimes.com, May 12, 2015.
``Dear Class of 2015, You're in Big Trouble,'' Wall Street
Journal, May 12, 2015.
``Washington Is Betraying America's Young,'' Tax Notes, May 18,
2015.
``Obamacare Is a Horror Story for Young Americans,'' National
Review, May 19, 2015.
``New Grads, Start A Business If You Can't Find A Job,''
MarketWatch.com, May 21, 2015.
``How Occupational Licensing Harms the Young,''
RealClearPolicy.com, May 22, 2015.
``A Crucial Service Lacking For Veterans: Investment
Management,'' MarketWatch.com, May 25, 2015.
``Review of Only One Thing Can Save Us: Why America Needs a New
Kind of Labor Movement,'' Claremont Review of Books, May 25,
2015.
``Regulation's Stranglehold on Millennials' Futures,'' Forbes,
May 26, 2015.
``Why Unions Exempt Themselves from Hard-Fought Minimum Wage
Hikes,'' CNSNews.com, May 29, 2015.
``Millennials Can't Afford to Ignore Washington,''
RealClearPolicy.com, May 31, 2015.
``Cuomo's Fishy Fast Food Wage Board,'' Economics21.org, June
4, 2015.
``Americans Are Fine with Spying--As Long as It's Google and
Not the NSA,'' MarketWatch.com, June 5, 2015.
``Old Money: How the Fed's Actions Harm Millennials,'' Atlas
Network, June 10, 2015.
``Unwanted Touching Is Not Sexual Assault,'' Economics21.org,
June 14, 2015.
``Op Ed on Disinherited Youth'', The Sunday Times, June 14,
2015.
``The Affordable Care Act Is Unaffordable for the Young,'' Tax
Notes, June 15, 2015.
``Pope Francis' Plan To Help The Environment Will Backfire,''
MarketWatch.com, June 19, 2015.
``The U.S. Government Is Making Full Use Of Arbitrary Power
Again,'' MarketWatch.com, June 25, 2015.
``Proposed Retirement Investment Regulations Could Backfire on
Savers,'' Economics21.org, June 25, 2015.
``Obama Deals A Blow To Parents, Women And Millennials In New
Overtime Rules,'' MarketWatch.com, June 26, 2015.
``Six Priorities for Obamacare Reform,'' Economics21.org, June
26, 2015.
``This Supreme Court Case Will Decide The Fate Of Unions In The
U.S.'' MarketWatch.com, July 2, 2015.
``Good News on Internships From the Second Circuit,''
Economics21.org, July 6, 2015.
``Obama and Hillary Gloat: Obamacare Is `Here to Stay'; But
America Must Seek Reform,'' CNSNews.com, July 7, 2015.
``IRS Ramps Up Obamacare Employer Penalties,'' Tax Notes, July
13, 2015.
``Hillary Clinton Promises Higher Taxes and More Regulation,''
CAPX.co, July 13, 2015.
``Don't Supersize the Minimum Wage,'' City Journal, July 13,
2015.
``For Hillary Clinton, Donald Trump Is A Godsend,''
MarketWatch.com, July 14, 2015.
``Hillary, Obama Meddle In The Workplace Again,''
MarketWatch.com, July 16, 2015.
``Generation Y Needs an Office for Inter-Generational
Responsibility,'' CAPX.co, July 21, 2015.
``The Newest Obamacare Fail: Penalties Of $36,500 Per Worker,''
Market
Watch.com, July 23, 2015.
``GDP Numbers Should Be a Wake-Up Call,'' Economics21.org, July
30, 2015.
``GOP Debate Served As The Grand Equalizer,'' MarketWatch.com,
August 7, 2015.
``Obama's `Clean Power Plan' Punishes Workers, Consumers, and
States That Voted for Romney,'' National Review, August 10,
2015.
``How A Few D.C. Bureaucrats Will Destroy College Football,''
Market
Watch.com, August 17, 2015.
``How To Keep The EPA Honest,'' MarketWatch.com, August 18,
2015.
``Focus on Anchor Babies Misses Broader Immigration Problems,''
Economics21.org, August 25, 2015.
``DC Bureaucrats Upend Franchise Businesses,'' Economics21.org,
August 28, 2015.
``Workers Don't Do Better In Unions,'' MarketWatch.com,
September 2, 2015.
``How Jeb Bush And Marco Rubio Would Help Women,''
MarketWatch.com, September 11, 2015.
``When Is a Contractor Not a Contractor?'' Tax Notes, September
14, 2015.
``The Republican Debate Was Missing These Eight Key Issues,''
MarketWatch.com, September 17, 2015.
``Marco Rubio Is the Beneficiary of Scott Walker's Departure,''
CAPX.co, September 22, 2015.
``Pope Francis' Policies Won't Help The Poor,'' Washington
Examiner, September 24, 2015.
``VW Diesel Buyers Could Have Discovered Cheating Before The
EPA Did,'' MarketWatch.com, September 25, 2015.
``5 Ways To Get A College Education Without Amassing A Lot Of
Debt,'' MarketWatch.com, October 2, 2015.
``White House's Summit On Unions Is A One-Sided Affair,''
MarketWatch.com, October 7, 2015.
``Paid-Leave Bill Would Be A Lose-Lose For Women And D.C.,''
Market
Watch.com, October 16, 2015.
``Tax Carried Interest as Capital Gains,'' Tax Notes, October
19, 2015.
``Paul Ryan Is Just Who The Republicans Need Now,''
MarketWatch.com, October 22, 2015.
``Republicans Have Themselves To Blame For Such A Shoddy Debate
Format,'' MarketWatch.com, October 29, 2015.
``Why Jeb Bush's Campaign Is in Such Deep Trouble,'' CAPX.co,
October 30, 2015.
``Trump Or Carson May Repeat What Eisenhower Did In 1952,''
Market
Watch.com, November 4, 2015.
``Bipartisan Budget Act Increases Burden on Millennials,'' Tax
Notes, November 9, 2015.
``Why the Fed Should Raise Rates,'' CAPX.co, November 9, 2015.
``Donald Trump's Ideas In `Crippled America',''
MarketWatch.com, November 12, 2015.
``Why Rubio Beats Cruz On Immigration Policies,'' CAPX.co,
November 17, 2015.
``Free College Tuition Promised By Democrats Is One Big
Illusion,'' Market
Watch.com, November 19, 2015.
``Proposed D.C. Metro Line May Run Foul Of Environmental
Laws,'' Washington Examiner, November 23, 2015.
``Princeton Students Stand Up To Political Correctness,''
MarketWatch.com, November 25, 2015.
``Obamacare Bailouts Prove That The Law Is Flawed And Lousy,''
MarketWatch.com, December 2, 2015.
``Clinton's Wall Street Attack Would Only Hurt You And Me,''
MarketWatch.com, December 8, 2015.
``Why ISIS Laughs at the West,'' Tax Notes, December 14, 2015.
``Student Bullies At Yale,'' CAPX.co, December 14, 2015.
``The Negative Side of Negative Interest Rates,'' USNews.com,
December 16, 2015.
``U.S. Renewable Energy Isn't Helping The Economy--Or The Fight
Against ISIS,'' MarketWatch.com, December 17, 2015.
``Three Reasons Why It's Good to Be Rubio Right Now,'' CAPX.co,
December 28, 2015.
``Seven Missed Opportunities to Double Our Growth,''
MarketWatch.com, December 30, 2015.
``Hillary Clinton Is Wrong On The So-Called War Against
Women,'' MarketWatch.com, January 7, 2016.
``One Woman's Fight to Opt Out Of Her Union,'' CAPX.co, January
11, 2016.
``Ted Cruz And Rand Paul Have a Terrible Idea: A New Tax,''
Market
Watch.com, January 14, 2016.
``Resist the Seductive VAT,'' Tax Notes, January 18, 2016.
``Court to Decide Legal Merits, Not Union Politics,'' CAPX.co,
January 20, 2016.
``Unions vs. Students,'' National School Choice Week, January
26, 2016.
``Teachers Unions Fight Educational Progress,''
Economics21.org, January 27, 2016.
``Presidential-Election Winner To Be Decided By 2016 Economy,''
Market
Watch.com, January 30, 2016.
``With Zika, Time to Bring Back DDT,'' Economics21.org, January
31, 2016.
``Obama's Latest Lifeline for Unions,'' Wall Street Journal,
February 1, 2016.
``Resist the Value-Added Tax: Opposing View,'' USA Today,
February 3, 2016.
``What Unions Don't Do for the Middle Class,'' National Review,
February 4, 2016.
``5 Wasteful Items That Obama Should Cut From The Budget,''
Market
Watch.com, February 11, 2016.
``Bernie Sanders's Robin Hood Tax Plan,'' Tax Notes, February
15, 2016.
``In Praise Of Antonin Scalia, The Gold Standard For
Conservative Thought,'' MarketWatch.com, February 16, 2016.
``Privatize Air-Traffic Control? Not if It's a Union
Giveaway,'' National Review, February 17, 2016.
``Bernie Sanders' Tax Plan Would Hinder Economic Growth,''
Washington Examiner, February 20, 2016.
``Air-Traffic Control Needs Real Privatization,'' National
Review, February 22, 2016.
``Marco Rubio Can Defeat Hillary, If He Can Stop Trump,''
CAPX.co, February 24, 2016.
``Trump Is Most Vulnerable On These Four Crucial Issues,''
MarketWatch.com, February 26, 2016.
``Carbon Tax Is Unpopular for Good Reason,'' Economics21.org,
February 29, 2016.
``Confiscating Private Property Won't Make America Great,''
Economics21.org March 1, 2016.
``Donald Trump Wins Republicans' Hearts With Democratic
Ideals,'' MarketWatch.com, March 2, 2016.
``Bulldozing Property Rights Won't Make America Great Again,''
Foundation for Economic Education, March 3, 2016.
``McDonald's Labor Trial Could Upend The Restaurant's Business
Model,'' MarketWatch.com, March 11, 2016.
``Double Taxation for Passengers Under the FAA Reauthorization
Bill,'' Tax Notes, March 14, 2016.
``Donald Trump Leads The Uprising Against The `Ruling Class',''
MarketWatch.com, March 17, 2016.
``7 Obamacare Failures That Have Hurt Americans,''
MarketWatch.com, March 24, 2016.
``A Higher Minimum Wage Is No Way To Solve The Problem Of
Poverty,'' MarketWatch.com, March 30, 2016.
``Free Pfizer! Why Inversions Are Good for the U.S.,'' New York
Times, April 7, 2016.
``Millennials Are in The Driver's Seat as Companies Ramp Up
Hiring,'' MarketWatch.com, April 8, 2016.
``The Pay-Equity Police Get New Ammunition,'' Wall Street
Journal, April 11, 2016.
``New York's Suicidal Attempted Takeover of Capital Gains
Taxation,'' Tax Notes, April 18, 2016.
``New Yorkers, You Can Do Something About Those Brutally High
Taxes,'' MarketWatch.com, April 18, 2016.
``UnitedHealthcare's Exit Augurs Badly For Obamacare,''
Economics21.org, April 19, 2016.
``New Overtime Rules Would Hit Women and Millennials Hardest,''
Economics21.org, April 22, 2016.
``New York Legislators Enter Dangerous Territory with
Investment Tax Bill,'' MarketWatch.com, April 25, 2016.
``Congress Can Solve Illinois' Pension Crisis,'' CAPX.co, April
29, 2016.
``Businessman Trump Trumps Politician Trump,'' Economics21.org,
May 2, 2016.
``What Would Ronald Reagan Do to Fix America Today?''
MarketWatch.com, May 5, 2016.
``Congress Should Solve America's Pension Crisis,'' Washington
Examiner, May 6, 2016.
``Teamsters Pension Crisis Shows How Unions Add Risks to
Workers,'' MarketWatch.com, May 10, 2016.
``A New Approach to Solving Illinois's Pension Crisis,'' Tax
Notes, May 16, 2016.
``Mandatory Paid Maternity Leave Will Hurt Women's Choices,''
Economics21.org, May 16, 2016.
``A Tip for College Graduates: It's the Little Things That Can
Get You a Job,'' MarketWatch.com, May 16, 2016.
``New Overtime Rule Causes Triple Damage to Economy,''
Economics21.org, May 18, 2016.
``Bad News from Labor Department's New Overtime Rules,''
Washington Examiner, May 20, 2016.
``New York Attorney General Doesn't Like Pizza,'' CNSNews.com,
May 27, 2016.
``What Would Happen If We Shut Down the Federal Reserve?''
Market
Watch.com, May 27, 2016.
``The AG's Guide to Ruining Business and Slowing State
Growth,'' TheFiscalTimes.com, May 29, 2016.
``French Workers Are Protesting Against Reforms,''
MarketWatch.com, June 10, 2016.
``Taxing E-Cigarettes Is Counterproductive,'' Tax Notes, June
13, 2016.
``Don't Let Air-Traffic Control Become Another Amtrak,''
MarketWatch.com, June 14, 2016.
``5 Reasons So Many Britons Favor Brexit And Want to Dump The
EU,'' MarketWatch.com, June 17, 2016.
``Happy Brexit day, from Washington,'' Reaction.life, June 24,
2016.
``Britain Punches Above Its Weight In EU,'' Economics21.org,
June 28, 2016.
``Federal Overreach Is Smacked Down by A Texas Judge,''
MarketWatch.com, June 29, 2016.
``The U.S. Doesn't Even Enforce Trade Rules, Never Mind Enact
Favorable Deals,'' MarketWatch.com, July 7, 2016.
``There's Nothing ``Socially Responsible'' About Low Pension
Returns,'' Economics21.org, July 22, 2016.
``DNC Speakers Decry Gender Pay Gap: In Reality, There Is No
Gap to Close,'' CNSNews.com, July 28, 2016.
``Why The Fed Should Raise Rates,'' Washington Examiner, July
25, 2016.
``Sorry, Elizabeth Warren, Women Already Have Equal Pay,''
Economics21.org, July 27, 2016.
``Why Women Shouldn't Vote for Hillary Clinton,''
MarketWatch.com, July 29, 2016.
``How to Stimulate Investment,'' Economics21.org, July 31,
2016.
``How to Finally Win the War on Terror,'' National Review,
August 4, 2016.
``Black Clouds Behind the Sunny Jobs Data,'' Economics21.org,
August 8, 2016.
``Administration Exceeds Its Power With New Inversion Regs,''
Tax Notes, August 15, 2016.
``Why the Washington D.C. Suburbs Need to Rethink This Light-
Rail Project,'' MarketWatch.com, August 15, 2016.
``Leaving Is Too Much Labor,'' USNews.com, August 17, 2016.
``Insurance Companies Wise Up to Obamacare,'' Economics21.org,
August 18, 2016.
``Obama's Bathroom Law Fails To Protect Those Who Need It Most:
Girls,'' MarketWatch.com, August 24, 2016.
``Why Minimum Wage Laws Hurt America,'' Jewish Policy Center's
inFocus, Summer 2016 Issue.
``Drowning in Child-Care Bills? Blame the Government For
Micromanaging,'' MarketWatch.com, August 31, 2016.
``I Was Forced to Join a Union,'' National Review, September 5,
2016.
``Mining Taxpayers' Pockets for Private-Pension Relief,'' Wall
Street Journal, September 8, 2016.
``Ryan's Corporate Plan Reverses Tax Code's Trade Bias,'' Tax
Notes, September 19, 2016.
``Why Trump is the right choice for America,'' Reaction.life,
September 19, 2016.
``Obama's Overtime Rules Hurt the Economy and American
Workers,'' MarketWatch.com, September 21, 2016.
``Princeton Students Push Back on Speech Ban,''
MarketWatch.com, September 27, 2016.
``How to Fulfill Donald Trump's Trade Promise Without Using
Tariffs,'' MarketWatch.com, October 7, 2016.
``Donald Trump Would Help Working Women More Than Hillary
Clinton Would,'' MarketWatch.com, October 18, 2016.
``How National Pollsters Are Helping Hillary Clinton,''
Economics21.org, October 20, 2016.
``The Tax Code's Treatment of Real Estate,'' Tax Notes, October
24, 2016.
``Obama Regulatory Order on Federal Contracts Misfires,''
MarketWatch.com, October 25, 2016.
``Is the Tax Code's Treatment of Real Estate Worthwhile?''
Economics21.org, October 25, 2016.
``Obama, In One Of His Last Blasts, Sends Out Another
Regulatory Order,'' MarketWatch.com, October 25, 2016.
``Why Trump Is the Right Choice for Israel,'' Bechadrei
Haredim, November 6, 2016.
``A Couple of Corrections to the Clarifiers,'' Tax Notes,
November 7, 2016.
``Why Trump Will Be Good for America--And For Britain,''
CAPX.co, November 9, 2016.
``Why America Has Chosen Donald Trump,'' MarketWatch.com,
November 9, 2016.
``Why Women Voted for Trump,'' The Guardian, November 9, 2016.
``Inequality No Excuse for Delaying Tax Reform,'' Tax Notes,
November 14, 2016.
``Obama Administration Is Chastised Once Again By The
Judiciary,'' MarketWatch.com, November 23, 2016.
``House Republicans Have A Big Decision To Make This Week,''
Market
Watch.com, November 29, 2016.
``The Trump Administration Ought To Target The `Fiduciary
Rule','' Market
Watch.com, December 8, 2016.
``Make Domestic Growth Great Again,'' USNews.com, December 20,
2016.
``Five Ways Trump Will Give Americans More Opportunities,''
Market
Watch.com, December 22, 2016.
``U.K. Must Go Full Steam Ahead With Brexit In 2017,''
MarketWatch.com, December 30, 2016.
``5 Health-Conscious Ways To Repeal Obamacare,''
MarketWatch.com, January 6, 2017.
``Kentucky 27th State to Protect Workers' Rights,''
Economics21.org, January 8, 2017.
``Punishing Theft Does Not Violate Free Trade,''
Economics21.org, January 10, 2017.
``The Potential for Stronger U.S. Growth Under President
Trump,'' Tax Notes, January 16, 2017.
``Trump Doesn't Need Economists,'' USNews.com, January 18,
2017.
``Big Labor's Misleading Attacks On Andy Puzder,'' Investor's
Business Daily, January 27, 2017.
``What Donald Trump Could Learn From The U.K.'s Theresa May At
Today's Meeting,'' MarketWatch.com, January 27, 2017.
``For Some in The Middle Class, Net Worth Slumps a Staggering
43 percent,'' MarketWatch.com, February 1, 2017.
``5 Things Betsy Devos Can Do to Help Students as Test Scores
Decline,'' MarketWatch.com, February 9, 2017.
``The Challenge for Secretary Betsy DeVos,'' Economics21.org,
February 9, 2017.
``More Lies About Puzder,'' Economics21.org, February 13, 2017.
``Carbon Tax Won't Curb Climate Change, But It Will Clobber
Growth,'' Investor's Business Daily, February 13, 2017.
``Trump's Job Promises Depend on This Ice-Cream-Scooper-To-CEO
Success Story,'' MarketWatch.com, February 15, 2017.
``Puzder's Withdrawal Was a Win for Big Labor,'' Washington
Examiner, February 16, 2017.
``A Carbon Tax Is Still a Terrible Idea,'' Tax Notes, February
20, 2017.
``My Draft Address to Congress for President Trump,''
Economics21.org, February 27, 2017.
``You Might Not Have to Pay More for Trump's Spending Plans,''
Market
Watch.com, March 3, 2017.
``Trump's Obamacare Replacement Has These Six Improvements,''
Market
Watch.com, March 8, 2017.
``No, CBO,'' USNews.com, March 15, 2017.
``President Trump Should Have Made Even Deeper Cuts in
Washington's Bloated Budget,'' MarketWatch.com, March 17, 2017.
``Want to Help Women? Lower Marginal Tax Rates,''
Economics21.org, March 20, 2017.
``How U.S. Economic Growth Could Accelerate To 4 percent,''
MarketWatch.com, March 23, 2017.
``Delivering Paid Maternity Leave,'' Tax Notes, March 27, 2017.
``State Department Cuts Too Small: Opposing View,'' USA Today,
March 30, 2017.
``Ten Problems with EPA's Clean Power Plan Analysis,''
Economics21.org, March 30, 2017.
``President Trump Should Repeal This Obama-Era EEOC Rule on
Pay,'' MarketWatch.com, March 31, 2017.
``America's High Corporate Taxes Make It a Loser on the Global
Stage,'' The Hill, April 6, 2017.
``March Jobs Report Shows Divergence Between Households and
Companies,'' MarketWatch.com, April 7, 2017.
``On the March Jobs Report,'' Economics21.org, April 7, 2017.
``Delivering Paid Maternity Leave,'' Tax Notes, April 10, 2017.
``Focus on Better Roads, Not Building Washington, D.C.'S Purple
Line,'' MarketWatch.com, April 10, 2017.
``Rebuilding America's Roads,'' Tax Notes, April 17, 2017.
``Three Steps to Lower Spending and Taxes,'' Economics21.org,
April 18, 2017.
``This Is the Election That Will Test the Foundations of the
French Republic,'' MarketWatch.com, April 21, 2017.
``President Trump Gets Serious About Tax Reform,''
Economics21.org, April 26, 2017.
``Hypocrites Hide Obamacare's Flaws,'' Economics21.org, May 8,
2017.
``Remembering Allan Meltzer,'' Investor's Business Daily, May
10, 2017.
``The Government Could Gift This One Thing to Mothers if It
Wanted To,'' MarketWatch.com, May 14, 2017.
``In Trump Budget, What Media Call `Cuts' Are Really
Increases,'' Investor's Business Daily, May 21, 2017.
``America Should Never Have Backed Paris Accord,''
Economics21.org, June 1, 2017.
``May's June Come-Uppance,'' Economics21.org, June 9, 2017.
``Tax Reform--a Sensible Tax System Means Economic Growth,
Simple as That,'' FoxNews.com, June 22, 2017.
``The Fed's Bloated Balance Sheet,'' US News & World Report,
June 22, 2017.
``New Study Proves Seattle Punishes the Poor,''
Economics21.org, June 26, 2017.
``Cities Should Embrace Innovation, Not Fight It,''
Economics21.org, June 27, 2017.
``CBO Gets Obamacare Reform Estimates Wrong--Again,''
Investor's Business Daily, June 27, 2017.
``DC Government Drove Grocery Stores from Poor Neighborhoods,''
Economics21.org, June 29, 2017.
``How High Taxes, Generous Welfare and Lack of Training Keep
Millions of Available Jobs Unfilled,'' Investor's Business
Daily, July 13, 2017.
``CBO Scores of ObamaCare Rollback Have Been Nothing but
Fantasy,'' The Hill, July 25, 2017.
``Five Fixes for Obamacare,'' Economics21.org, July 30, 2017.
``A Workable Balanced Budget Amendment,'' Investor's Business
Daily, August 3, 2017.
``The Missing Millions,'' Economics21.org, August 9, 2017.
``Standing up to China,'' USNews.com, August 16, 2017.
``Millennials Fulfill Their Entrepreneurial Dreams in Rural
Virginia,'' Economics21.org, August 27, 2017.
``EEOC Rule Repeal Means Employers Can Focus on Hiring,''
Economics21.org, September 5, 2017.
``A Federal Agency's Bogus Battle to Keep College Grads Out of
Work,'' The Hill, September 7, 2017.
``America Needs Congressional Action on Immigration,''
Economics21.org, September 15, 2017.
``A Change for Tax-Exemption Redemption,'' USNews.com,
September 21, 2017.
``Young People Need Greater Access to Practical Training,''
Economics21.org, September 25, 2017.
15. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
``The Puzzle of Job Vacancies,'' testimony before the Joint
Economic Committee, July 12, 2017.
``The Environmental Protection Agency's Flawed Cost-Benefit
Analysis Methodology,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on
Superfund, Waste Management, and Regulatory Oversight of the
Senate Committee on Environment and Public Works, October 21,
2015.
``Raising the Minimum Wage for Fast Food Workers,'' before New
York Wage Board, June 22, 2015.
``Empowerment in the Workplace,'' testimony before the U.S.
Joint Economic Committee, June 18, 2014.
``The Benefits of Natural Gas Exports,'' testimony before the
U.S. Joint Economic Committee, June 24, 2014.
``The Disadvantages of High Marginal Tax Rates,'' testimony
before the New York Senate Standing Committee on Finance and
Standing Committee on Investigations and Government Operations,
October 4, 2013.
``If Climate Change Is Happening Now, What Do We Do?''
testimony before the Senate Environment and Public Works
Committee, July 18, 2013.
``Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Jobs,'' testimony
before the Subcommittee on Health of the House Energy and
Commerce Committee, March 13, 2013.
``Sequestration: Examining Employers' WARN Act
Responsibilities,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on
Workforce Protections of the House Committee on Education and
the Workforce, February 14, 2013.
``Effects of Regulatory and Fiscal Uncertainty on
Entrepreneurs,'' testimony before the Senate Committee on Small
Business and Entrepreneurship, November 29, 2012.
``The American Energy Initiative: No More Solyndras'' testimony
before the Subcommittee on Energy and Power of the House
Committee on Energy and Commerce, July 12, 2012.
``Green Jobs in the U.S. Economy,'' testimony before the House
Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, June 6, 2012.
``Solving the Long-Term Unemployment Crisis for Older
Workers,'' testimony before the Senate Special Committee on
Aging, May 15, 2012.
``Disincentive Effects of the PPACA on Job Creation,''
testimony before the Subcommittee on Health Care of the House
Committee on Ways and Means, March 29, 2012.
``How to Lower Gasoline Prices,'' testimony before the House
Committee on Natural Resources, March 21, 2012.
``The Advantages of a Balanced Budget Amendment,'' testimony
before the Subcommittee on the Constitution, Civil Rights, and
Human Rights of the Senate Committee on the Judiciary, November
30, 2011.
``The Effects of the Affordable Care Act on Work and
Marriage,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on Health Care,
District of Columbia, Census, and the National Archives of the
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, October 27,
2011.
``Take 2: The President's Proposal to Stimulate the Economy and
Create Jobs,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on Regulatory
Affairs, Stimulus Oversight, and Government Spending of the
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform, September
13, 2011.
``Regulatory and Statutory Barriers to Employment,'' testimony
before the Joint Economic Committee, July 12, 2011.
``Social, Behavioral, and Economic Science Research: The Need
for Federal Investments and Priorities for Funding,'' testimony
before the Subcommittee on Research and Science Education of
the House Committee on Science, Space, and Technology, June 2,
2011.
``The Future of Union Transparency and Accountability,''
testimony before the Subcommittee on Health, Employment, Labor,
and Pensions of the House Committee on Education and the
Workforce, March 31, 2011.
``The Gender Pay Gap,'' testimony before the Joint Economic
Committee, September 28, 2010.
``Long-Term Unemployment: Problem and Solutions,'' testimony
before the Joint Economic Committee, April 29, 2010.
``The American Samoa Protection of Industry, Resources, and
Employment Act,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on Insular
Affairs, Oceans, and Wildlife, of the House Committee on
Natural Resources, November 4, 2009.
``Testimony on Medical Debt: Can Bankruptcy Reform Facilitate a
Fresh Start?,'' testimony before the Senate Committee on the
Judiciary, Subcommittee on Administrative Oversight and the
Courts, October 20, 2009.
``Testimony on the Effects of Health Reform Proposals on
Women,'' testimony before the Senate Committee on Health,
Education, Labor and Pensions, October 15, 2009.
``Testimony on the Gender Pay Gap,'' testimony before the Joint
Economic Committee, April 28, 2009.
``Testimony on the Growing Income Gap in the American Middle
Class,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on Workforce
Protections of the House Committee on Education and Labor, July
31, 2008.
``Promoting U.S. Worker Competitiveness in a Globalized
Economy,'' testimony before the Subcommittee on Investigations
and Oversight of the House Committee on Science, June 24, 2008.
``Consequences and Solutions to America's Energy Crisis,''
testimony before the House Committee on Natural Resources, June
18, 2008.
``Testimony on the Employment Status of Women,'' testimony
before the Joint Economic Committee, June 4, 2008.
``Testimony on Promoting Worker Competitiveness in a Globalized
Economy,'' testimony before the House Committee on Ways and
Means, June 14, 2007.
``Testimony on the Future of Undocumented Immigrant Students,''
testimony before the House Judiciary Committee's Subcommittee
on Immigration, Citizenship, Refugees, Border Security, and
International Law, May 18, 2007.
``Testimony on the Paycheck Fairness Act,'' testimony before
the House Committee on Education and Labor, April 24, 2007.
``Economic Security for Working Families,'' testimony before
the House Committee on Education and Labor, January 31, 2007.
``Testimony on Behalf of Judge John Roberts to Be Chief Justice
of the Supreme Court,'' testimony before the Senate Committee
on the Judiciary, September 15, 2005.
``The Challenges of the 21st Century Workforce,'' testimony
before the Senate Committee on Health, Education, Labor, and
Pensions, May 26, 2005.
``The Statistically Misleading 74 Cent Wage Gap,'' testimony
before the Equal Employment Opportunity Commission,
Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, April 12, 1999.
``The Economic Effects of Capital Gains Taxation,'' testimony
before the Senate Committee on Agriculture, Nutrition, and
Forestry, February 26, 1997.
``The Working Families Flexibility Act,'' testimony before the
House Committee on Education and the Workforce, Subcommittee on
Workforce Protections, February 5, 1997.
``The Difficulty of Interpreting Income Distribution Tables,''
testimony before the National Commission on Economic Growth and
Tax Reform, July 12, 1995.
16. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
I would be nominated for Assistant Secretary for Research and
Technology. Nothing is more important to the economic health of America
than getting the private sector involved in rebuilding the Nation's
infrastructure. As an economist with over 30 years of experience, I
have studied the provision of infrastructure and transportation
extensively. I have written articles on transportation issues and on
regulation. In addition, I have managed staffs at the Council of
Economic Advisers, at the Department of Labor, and at the Manhattan
Institute. I have reviewed hundreds of papers and articles to determine
their quality and suitability for publication.
17. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
I would be responsible for managing the Office of the Assistant
Secretary for Research and Technology. I would make sure that the
programs in the Office are efficiently run and that the legal and
technical responsibilities of the Office are met. I would ensure that
Congress's appropriated funds were properly managed. I have managed the
staff of the Council of Economic Advisers, a staff of 35 professionals
at the White House. For the past several years I have managed the
Washington office of the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research.
18. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
The first challenge is managing the Office of the Assistant
Secretary and the research portfolio. The second challenge is making
sure that the quality of the research is as high as possible. This is
particularly difficult given the rapidly changing technology, such as
autonomous vehicles and drones. The third challenge is getting the
private sector involved in rebuilding America's infrastructure.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
I am currently paid a salary by the Manhattan Institute and I
receive an annual bonus. The Manhattan Institute contributes to my
retirement account. I am paid a salary by George Washington University
for teaching labor economics if I teach a course, although I am not
teaching at present. I would no longer be employed by the Manhattan
Institute nor George Washington University if I were to be confirmed. I
have no deferred compensation or continuing dealings with these
institutions.
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain.
No.
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered
into with DOT's Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered
into with DOT's Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
5. Describe any activity during the past ten years in which you
have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing
the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting
the administration and execution of law or public policy.
I have never been a registered lobbyist. I have no consulting
clients. I have never accepted funds for taking any positions. I have
written many columns advocating lower taxes, less regulation, and lower
government spending in an effort to change our government's policies. I
wrote a paper for the Advanced Medical Technology Association measuring
the employment effects of the Medical Device Tax, for which I was paid
$15,000 in 2009 and $10,000 to update it in 2011.
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved in
accordance with the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered
into with DOT's Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been
provided to this Committee. I am not aware of any other potential
conflicts of interest.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency, association, committee, or group;
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, orother law enforcement authority ofany Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain. No.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain. No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so, please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees?
Yes, to the best of my ability.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Resume of Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Employment
Manhattan Institute for Policy Research, 2009 to present.
Senior Fellow and Director, Economics 21. Manage Manhattan Institute's
Washington office. Coordinate the Shadow Open Market Committee meetings
and publications. Write papers, books, articles, and columns on a
variety of economic issues, including taxation, economic growth, income
inequality, and labor market regulation.
George Washington University, 2016 to present.
Adjunct Professor. Teach Labor Economics and Public Policy in the
Applied Economics MA program.
Hudson Institute, 2005-2011.
Senior Fellow and Director, Center for Employment Policy. Wrote papers
on labor economics, including entrepreneurship, effects of financial
policies, and education and job training, in the United States and
overseas. Editor, Overcoming Barriers to Entrepreneurship in the United
States (Lexington Books, 2008).
U.S. Department of Labor, 2003-2005.
Chief Economist. Pcrformed and directed research on topics of interest
to the Secretary and senior staff, such as regulatory changes, effects
of regulation, minimum wage, pe1fsioi1s, health care, immigration, and
the changing workforce.
Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the President, 2001-
2003.
Chief of Staff; Special Adviser to the Council. Supervised production
of the Economic Report of the President. Managed 35-person staff for
the Chairman. Organized economists' representation at meetings within
the Executive Office of the President and outside agencies and their
interaction with White House staff.
American Enterprise Institute, 1993-2001.
Resident Fellow; Assistant to the President. Performed research on
taxation, labor economics, and sex discrimination. Coauthor of two
books on women in the workforce. Organized seminars and conferences on
economic and regulatory issues.
The White House, 1991-1993.
Associate Director and Deputy Executive Secretary, Domestic Policy
Council; Associate Director, Office of Policy Planning. Prepared and
reviewed domestic policy options for President Bush in the areas of
deregulation and taxation. Coordinated interagency working groups on
domestic policy issues.
American Petroleum Institute, 1987-1991.
Economist. Conducted studies, wrote papers, and directed research on
tax, energy, and environmental issues.
Council of Economic Advisers, Executive Office of the President, 1986-
1987.
Junior Staff Economist. Provided support to the Chairman and Members of
Council on microeconomic issues including labor, tax policy, and
regulation.
Policy Economics Group, 1985-1986.
Economist. Analyzed the effects of proposed changes in tax laws on
various industries including banking, railroad, and trucking.
Booz, Allen and Hamilton Inc., 1983-1984. Senior Consultant.
Books
Disinherited: How Washington is Betraying America's Young, with Jared
Meyer, Encounter Books, May 2015. Winner of Sir Antony Fisher
International Memorial Award, Atlas Foundation, 2016.
Regulating to Disaster: How Green Jobs Policies Are Imaging America's
Economy, Encounter Books, 2012.
Women's Figures: An Illustrated Guide to the Economic Progress of Women
in America, AEI Press, 2012.
How Obama's Gender Policies Undermine America, Encounter Books, 2010.
Overcoming Barriers to Entrepreneurship in the United States (edited
volume), Lexington Books, 2008.
The Feminist Dilemma: When Success Is Not Enough, with Christine
Stolba, AEI Press, 2001.
Women's Figures: An Illustrated Guide to the Economic Progress of Women
in America, with Christine Stolba, AEI Press and Independent Women's
Forum, 1999.
Columns
Weekly columnist for MarketWatch.com, 2012-2017.
Monthly columnist for Tax Notes, 2010-2017.
Weekly columnist for Washington Examiner, 2010-2014.
Weekly colunmist for RealClcarMarkets.com, 2009-2015.
Weekly colmnnist for Reuters.com, 2008-2009.
Weekly colunmist for New York Sun, 2006-2009.
Education
M. Phil. in Economics, Oxford University, 1982.
B.A. cum laude in Economics, Swarthmore College, 1979.
Senator Blunt. Thank you.
Mr. Martinez.
STATEMENT OF RAYMOND P. MARTINEZ, NOMINEE FOR
ADMINISTRATOR, FEDERAL MOTOR CARRIER SAFETY
ADMINISTRATION, U.S. DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Martinez. Thank you very much, Chairman Blunt, Ranking
Member Booker, and members of the Committee. Thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today as the President's
nominee for Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration. I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary
Chao for the opportunity to be nominated to serve in this key
position. It is integral to improving the safety of our
Nation's roadways.
As the former Motor Vehicle Commissioner and Chairman of
the Governor's Safety Committee in New York State and the
current Chairman and Chief Administrator of the State of New
Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, I have been a partner with
other State agencies, as well as stakeholders, to advance
safety on our roadways. I have developed close working
relationships with both the FMCSA, NHTSA, as well as safety
advocates, including AAA, the National Safety Council, and
other national, State, and local safety groups. I believe that
open communication and collaboration are very important and
would continue this practice as FMCSA Administrator.
The FMCSA has jurisdiction over more than 550,000 trucks
and bus companies and 6 million commercial driver license
holders who share the road with 250 million other motorists.
The majority of the FMCSA staff is field-based, about 1,100
strong. But much of its mission is to encourage State partners
to join in safety initiatives and to be a force multiplier for
commercial motor vehicle enforcement.
In both New York and New Jersey, to ensure that we were
utilizing the best available data when approaching
transportation and traffic safety challenges, we also routinely
engaged with thought leaders at some of the university research
institutions in our region that continue to do great work in
the area of traffic safety, including the Institute for Traffic
Safety Management and Research ITSMR at the State University of
New York at Albany, the Vorhees Transportation Research Center
at Rutgers University, the consortium of 19 major universities
that make up the University Transportation Research Center
based at the City University of New York, and the
transportation research program at Princeton University. I have
found this open dialogue and cross pollination of ideas
essential to problem solving. Implementation of laws and
promulgating regulations should be done with the best
information available and must be viewed by stakeholders as
reasonable, rational, and fair. If confirmed as FMCSA
Administrator, I would continue to pursue data-driven policies.
Each year, the safety landscape on our roadways becomes
more and more complex and challenging. The tried and true
approach of applying the three E's of traffic safety:
engineering, that is, applying the application of new
technologies; education, meaning the better training and
testing of those in the truck and bus industry, but also those
sharing the road with trucks and buses; and enforcement,
effective enforcement of our existing laws and regulations. As
an important mode within the Department of Transportation, the
FMCSA needs to do its part to keep our highways as safe as
possible and to drive the number of crashes, injuries, and
fatalities down to zero. Note I say crashes.'' I try not to
refer to accidents. Crashes are preventable. There is a cause
or causes, and we have to find them and reduce those causes.
Early on, my parents instilled in me that citizenship
carried responsibilities, including civic engagement, and that
public service was a good and honorable endeavor. Indeed, like
many here, I have found public service to be a calling. It has
given me a chance to work with dedicated and knowledgeable
colleagues in a field that makes a real difference in people's
lives and has the potential to improve the communities we all
live in.
I thank the Committee for your consideration. If confirmed,
I would look forward to working with you and your staff on our
mutual goals of highway safety and effective transportation. I
stand ready to answer any questions that you may have. Thank
you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Martinez follow:]
Prepared Statement of Raymond P. Martinez, Nominee for Administrator,
Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of
Transportation
Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, and members of the
Committee:
Thank you for the opportunity to appear before you today as the
President's nominee for Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration. I am grateful to President Trump and Secretary
Chao for the opportunity to serve in this key position that is
integrally involved in improving safety on our Nation's roadways.
As the former Motor Vehicle Commissioner and Chairman of the
Governors Traffic Safety Committee in New York State and the current
Chairman & Chief Administrator of the State of New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission, I have been a partner with other state agencies as well as
stakeholders to advance safety on our roads. I have developed close
working relationships with both FMCSA and NHTSA as well as with safety
advocates, including AAA, the National Safety Council, and MADD. I
believe that open communication and collaboration are very important
and would continue this practice as FMCSA administrator.
Additionally, FMCSA has jurisdiction over more than 550,000 truck
and bus companies and 6 million commercial driver license holders who
share the road with 250 million other motorists. The majority of the
FMCSA staff is field based, and much of its mission is to encourage
state partners to join in safety initiatives and to be a force
multiplier for CMV enforcement.
In both New York and New Jersey, to ensure that we were utilizing
the best available data when approaching transportation and traffic
safety challenges, we also routinely engaged with thought leaders at
some of the university research institutions in our region that
continue to do great work in the area of traffic safety including the
Institute for Traffic Safety Management and Research (ITSMR) at the
State University of New York at Albany, the Vorhees Transportation
Center at Rutgers University, and the consortium of 19 major
universities that make up the University Transportation Research Center
(UTRC) based at the City University of New York. I have found this open
dialogue and cross pollination of ideas was essential to problem-
solving. Implementation of laws and promulgating regulations should be
done with the best information available, and must be viewed by
stakeholders as reasonable, rational and fair. If confirmed as FMCSA
administrator, I would continue to pursue data-driven policies.
Each year, the safety landscape on our roadways becomes more and
more complex and challenging. The tried and true approach of applying
the three ``E's'' of traffic safety: Engineering applies the
application of new technologies; Education means better training and
testing of those in the truck and bus industry and the sharing of
important safety information for those who share the road with trucks
and buses; and Enforcement of laws and regulations. As an integral part
of the Department of Transportation, FMCSA needs to do its part to keep
our highways as safe as possible and to drive the number of crashes,
injuries and fatalities down to zero.
Early on, my parents instilled in me that citizenship carried
responsibilities, including civic engagement, and that public service
was a good and honorable endeavor. Indeed, like many, I have found
public service to be a calling. It has given me a chance to work with
dedicated colleagues in a field that makes a real difference in
people's lives and has the potential to improve the communities we all
live in.
I thank the Committee for your consideration. If confirmed, I would
look forward to working with you and your staff on our mutual goals of
highway safety and effective transportation. I stand ready to answer
any questions you may have.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Raymond Phillip Martinez.
2. Position to which nominated: Administrator, Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration, U.S. Department of Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: September 29, 2017.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, 225 East State
Street, Trenton, NJ 08666.
5. Date and Place of Birth: December 9, 1960; Bronx County, New
York City, New York.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse: None.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Juris Doctor--1993--St. John's University School of Law
Baccalaureate--1983--Long Island University/C.W. Post College
8. List all post-undergraduate employment, and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
All post-undergraduate employment
1/10--Present New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission--Chairman &
Chief Administrator
12/05-1/09--United States Department of State--Deputy United
States Chief of Protocol
12/00-12/05--New York State Department of Motor Vehicles
Commissioner/Chairman Governors Traffic Safety Committee--State
Highway Safety Representative
2/99-12/00--Long Island Power Authority--Assistant General
Counsel
7/97-1/99--New York State Attorney General's Oflice--Deputy
Chief of Staff & Special Counsel
1/94-7/97--Davidoff & Mali, LLP--Associate Attorney
2/92-6/93 Queens County District Attorney's Office--Criminal
Court Bureau Legal Assistant
6/89-3/90--Citicorp/Citibank--Assistant Vice President for
Protocol & Special Events
9/86-2/89--The White House--Deputy Director for Scheduling &
Advance for the First Lady
3/85-9/86--U.S. Department of Housing & Urban Development,
Region II--Special Assistant
12/82-2/85--New York State Senate, 6th Senatorial District--
Legislative Aide to Senator
Current and Past employment related to position to which I have been
nominated
Chairman & Chief Administrator--New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission
Commissioner New York State Department of Motor Vehicles/Chair
Governors Traffic Safety Committee--State Highway Safety
Representative
New York State Attorney General's Office--Deputy Chief of Staff
& Special Counsel
New York State Senate--Legislative Aide
9. Attach a copy of your resume. Resume attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal. State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years.
As Chairman & Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission I serve as a Member of the Executive Board of the Federal
Bureau of Investigation, Joint Terrorism Task Force for New Jersey.
As Chairman & Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission I serve as the Governors appointee on the New Jersey State
Planning Commission.
Both of these positions are uncompensated. If confirmed. I will
resign from both positions.
11. List all positions held as an officer, director. trustee,
partner. proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership. or other business. enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.
None/Not Applicable.
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex. race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
Member of the Board of Directors of the American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA). I serve on this Board by virtue
of my position as the Chief Motor Vehicle Administrator for the State
of New Jersey. This organization has no membership restrictions based
upon sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or handicap.
13. Have you ever been a candidate for and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt.
I have never been a candidate for public office or incurred
campaign related debt. I currently serve as Chairman & Chief
Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, a state
cabinet level position which requires nomination by the Governor and
confirmation by the State Senate.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more for the past ten years. Also list all offices
you have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national
political party or election committee during the same period.
I have not held office with or rendered services to any state or
national political party or election committee in the past ten years.
My contributions to individuals. campaign organizations, political
parties, political action committees or similar entities of $500.00 or
more in the last ten years are as follows:
5/22/2009--$500. To the Republican Campaign Committee of New
York
10/04/2011--$1,000. To State Senator Joe Kyrillos, N.J. 13th
Legislative District
10/25/2012--$500. To Mitt Romney Presidential Campaign
2/11/2013--$1,000. To Chris Christie, 2013 Governor Primary
Campaign
6/28/2013--$500. To Christopher J. Christie 2013 Governor
General Campaign
15. List all scholarships, fellowships. honorary degrees. honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Summer 2005--American Association of Motor Vehicle
Administrators (AAMVA) Fellowship to the John F. Kennedy School
of Government/Harvard University, Program for Senior Executives
in State & Local Government
2005--New York State Bar Association and the Committee on
Volunteer Lawyers--Award for Leadership
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position for which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
Presenter--Princeton University Smart Driving Vehicle Summit
Presenter--New Jersey Association of Chiefs of Police
Presenter--New Jersey Traffic Officers Association
Presenter--Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey
Presenter--International Association of Transportation
Regulators
Presenter--City University of New York--Urban Transportation
Research Center
Presenter--NYU--Connected & Autonomous Vehicles Symposium
Presenter--Connect:ID, Identification Security Conference
All of these speeches have been given in my official capacity as
Chairman & Chief Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle
Commission and I have received no additional compensation for their
presentation.
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
I have not testified orally or in writing before Congress.
18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
The mission of the FMCSA is to reduce crashes, injuries and
fatalities involving large trucks and buses. As Chairman and Chief
Administrator of the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, an
organization of 2,300 employees located throughout the state, I believe
I am qualified to lead the FMCSA. I am eager to assist the FMCSA focus
on its mandate by developing and enforcing data driven regulations that
enhance safety, with a particular focus on higher risk carriers;
ensuring proper attention and resources are dedicated to enforcement;
targeting educational messages and information to carriers, commercial
drivers, and the public; and partnering with stakeholders including
Federal, State. and local enforcement agencies, the motor carrier
industry, safety groups, and organized labor on efforts to reduce bus
and truck related crashes.
Similarly, as Commissioner of the New York Department of Motor
Vehicles and Chairman of the Governors Traffic Safety Commission, I
coordinated statewide traffic safety activities and promoted the
state's highway safety program to provide for the safe transportation
of people and goods on the roadways throughout the state. I managed the
state highway safety pro, ram by reviewing and monitoring grant
programs, coordinating special programs throughout the state and
providing guidance and oversight to state and local agencies. I believe
this experience will enable me to be an effective partner with other
modal administrations at DOT to improve safety.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls. and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
I have experience in leading large public agencies and agree that
accountability is critically important .If confirmed, I would expect to
be charged with the responsibility of establishing or maintaining
processes and procedures that would generally provide the Secretary and
Congress continued assurance that:
FMCSA data and information is accurate, reliable, complete and
timely: the actions of FMCSA personnel are at all times in
compliance with all applicable Jaw, regulation, policies,
standards and procedures; FMSCA employees are effectively
deployed, engaged, and encouraged in accomplishing the mission;
and that FMCSA is a good, honest steward of public resources.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
1. Safety must remain the FMCSA top priority. Emerging technologies
like highly automated or self-driving vehicles, especially
large trucks, provide potential for great improvement in
highway safety as well as operational efficiencies for industry
stakeholders. However, these same emerging technologies and
related safety concerns and enforcement issues also pose
challenges to the FMCSA regulatory and oversight role and its
safety mission. The FMCSA must ensure appropriate, balanced
regulation and seamless integration of any new and developing
technologies into the existing highway safety landscape without
hindering innovation.
2. The FMCSA is increasingly dependent upon its IT infrastructure
and the use of outside vendors in order to accomplish is core
safety mission. Safeguarding this infrastructure by employing
stringent management and strong risk mitigation will help to
ensure the security, stability and sustainability of its data
management and communications capability.
3. The FMCSA must continue to expand and enhance its relationship
with its transportation safety partners at every level of
government as well as with those stakeholders in the private
sector. Highway traffic safety, especially in relation to the
truck and motorcoach sectors, requires extensive and continued
cooperation between all of these entities. Effective regulation
and continued improvement of safety in this area can only be
achieved by leveraging current. valid and verifiable data from
all of these sources in order to identify areas of risk and
focus enforcement efforts more efficiently on those identified
areas.
b. potential conflicts of interest
A. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements. and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients. or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
I currently receive a salary from the State of New Jersey for my
position as Chairman & Chief Administrator of the State Motor Vehicle
Commission. If confirmed, I will resign from my salaried position as
Chairman & Chief Administrator of the State Motor Vehicle Commission.
My retirement accounts include in total, state retirement accounts
from New York and New Jersey:
A New York State Deferred Compensation Plan [a 457 Plan].
Neither my former employer nor I, currently or in the future,
will make contributions to this plan.
A New Jersey Defined Contribution Retirement Plan [a 401(a)
Plan] and a New Jersey State Employees Deferred Compensation [a
457 Plan]. If confirmed. neither I nor my current employer will
make any further contributions to the plans.
I also have a Thrift Savings Plan Account from my previous
Federal service. If confirmed, I will retain my TSP account.
I have no other financial arrangements or agreements that would
involve continuing dealings with current associates, clients, or
customers.
1. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment') If so,
please explain.
No.
2. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
(DOT) Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts
of interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved with
the terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered into with DOT's
Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been provided to this
Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.
3. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved with the
terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered into with DOT's
Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been provided to this
Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.
4. Describe any activity during the past ten years in which you
have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing
the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting
the administration and execution of law or public policy.
I serve as the Chairman & Chief Administrator of the New Jersey
Motor Vehicle Commission (NJMVC). In that capacity, I and the Motor
Vehicle Commission are asked by both the Governor and the Legislature
to assess the impact of proposed legislation that is in any way related
to the NJMVC. In any given legislative session dozens of bills are
submitted that require review and submission of comments through the
Legislative Liaison in the NJMVC Office of Legislative and Regulatory
Affairs.
On an annual basis, I testify before both the State Assembly and
the State Senate Budget Committees.
I have also testified before the State Senate and State Assembly
Transportation Committees on matters related to the Motor Vehicle
Commission.
5. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
In connection with the nomination process, I have consulted with
the Office of Government Ethics and the Department of Transportation's
Designated Agency Ethics Official to identify potential conflicts of
interest. Any potential conflicts of interest will be resolved with the
terms of an ethics agreement that I have entered into with DOT's
Designated Agency Ethics Official and that has been provided to this
Committee. I am not aware of any other potential conflicts of interest.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct. or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee. or other
professional group? If yes:
a. Provide the name of agency. association. committee. or group:
b. Provide the date the citation, disciplinary action, complaint, or
personnel action was issued or initiated;
c. Describe the citation, disciplinary action, complaint. or
personnel action;
d. Provide the results of the citation, disciplinary action,
complaint, or personnel action.
No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense? If so. please explain.
Yes--DUI 8/89, Nassau County, New York
Yes--DUI 9/87, Fairfax County, Virginia
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
No. I have not been a party to civil litigation, administrative
agency proceedings, or criminal proceedings, except as described in
response to Question 4 below. The public agencies of which I have been
an officer have on occasion been parties to litigation, but none of
those litigation matters has concerned activities involving me
personally.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? If so, please explain.
Yes--DUI 8/89, Nassau County, New York (Same as above)
Yes--DUI 9/87, Fairfax County, Virginia (Same as above)
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis? If so. please explain. No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable. which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees?
Yes, to the extent reasonable and feasible.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee?
Yes, to the extent consistent with legal and customary
requirements.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Resume of Raymond P. Martinez
Experience
January 2010-Present
New Jersey Motor Vehicle: Commission--Trenton, NJ
Chairman & Chief Administrator
Nominated by the Governor to serve in his Cabinet and confirmed by the
State Senate. Chief Executive of a public agency with 2,500 employees
located at 70 locations throughout the state handling over 25 million
customer contacts annually. Advisor to the Governor and the Legislature
on all areas of motor vehicle transportation and traffic safety. Serve
as the Chairman of the MC Board, a regulatory policy making body made
up of government and public members. Interact daily with local, state
and federal government officials. Responsible for the development of
the agency legislative and regulatory agenda and all project
prioritization. Oversee an operating budget of 330 million dollars and
an annual revenue stream of over 1 billion dollars. Spokesperson on
motor vehicle traffic safety issues via legislative testimony, news
media and public service announcements. Board Member of the New Jersey
State Planning Commission representing the state in oversight of land
use, environmental protection issues, transportation planning and
development. Executive Board Member--U.S. Department of Justice/FBI,
Joint Terrorism Task Force for New Jersey (JTTF). Federal clearance
level: DOJ/Secret.
December 2005-January 2009
United States Department of State & The White House--Washington, DC
Deputy Chief of Protocol of the United States
Managed five operational divisions: Diplomatic Affairs; Foreign Visits;
Ceremonial Events; Blair House; and Administration. Accompanied the
President on official visits abroad. Oversaw U.S. delegations appointed
by the President and traveled with them overseas for meetings. with
foreign leaders. Served as the President's liaison to 186 foreign
Ambassadors in Washington. Coordinated the visits of foreign heads of
state and coordinated meetings with members of congress, cabinet
officials and the President. Served as counsel on diplomatic immunity
issues pursuant to U.S. and international law. Managed a staff of 70
and an annual budget of 8 million. Acted as spokesman for all media
issues. Responsible for all operational matters including human
resources, legal, budget. intergovernmental relations and public
affairs. Served on U.S. Government missions to over 70 countries.
Federal clearance level: White House/State Department--Top Secret/SCI.
December 2000-December 2005
New York State Department of Motor Vehicles--Albany, NY
Commissioner
Nominated by Governor George Pataki to serve in his Cabinet and
confirmed by the State Senate Chief Executive of a state agency that
served more than 20 million customers per year and generated over $1
billion in annual revenues. Oversaw network of 129 offices statewide,
including Administrative Law Judges, Legal Department and a State
Investigators unit. Responsible for annual budget of over 350 million
dollars. Served Chairman of the Governor's Traffic Safety Committee,
administering over 50 million dollars annually in federal funds for
state and local highway safety projects. Interacted daily with local,
state and Federal officials. Developed Department legislative and
regulatory agenda, project prioritization and budget. State
spokesperson on traffic safety issues via legislative testimony, news
media and public service announcements.
February 1999-December 2000
Long Island Power Authority--Uniondale, NY
Assistant General Counsel
Handled legal matters for large public utility. Supervised work of
numerous outside legal counsel. Prepared briefings for the Chairman and
General Counsel. Regular interaction with local, state and Federal
officials.
July 1997-January 1999
New York State Attorney General's Office--New York & Albany, NY
Deputy Chief of Staff and Special Counsel
Reported to the Attorney General on wide variety of sensitive projects,
interacted daily with elected officials, advocates, business groups and
attorneys on legislative and case related matters. Supervised legal
aspects of responses to the media, other government officials and the
public.
January 1994-July 1997
Davidoff & Mali, LLP--Albany, NY
Associate Attorney
Handled legal assignments in the areas of government relations,
legislation, administrative and municipal law.
March 1992-June 1993
Office of the Queens County District Attorney--Queens, NY
Criminal Court Bureau Legal Assistant (while attending law school)
Appeared in court for daily calendar and hearings. Reviewed motions and
prepared responses. Assisted Bureau Chief in organizing case materials
for homicide trial.
June 1989-March 1990
Citicorp/Citibank, Corporate Headquarters--New York, NY
Assistant Vice-President for Protocol & Special Events
Handled program development and event management for the Chairman and
Board of Directors.
Sept 1986-Feb. 1989
The Whitehouse--Washington, DC
Deputy Director for Scheduling & Advance for the First Lady
Planned public events for the President and First Lady. Prepared
detailed schedules and briefings. Traveled extensively throughout the
U.S. and abroad. Federal Clearance Level: White House--Top Secret/SCI.
March 1985-Sept. 1986
United States Department of Housing & Urban Development--New York, NY
Special Assistant to the Regional Administrator for Region II
(New York, New Jersey, Puerto Rico, and the Virgin Islands)
Handled projects involving regional policy issues. Served as liaison to
government officials, business and citizens groups within the region.
Dec. 1982-Feb. 1985
New York State Senate--Albany & Garden City, NY
Legislative Aide to Senator John R. Dunne
Principal community relations assistant. Prepared reports on developing
public policy issues and represented senator at public hearings,
business and community group meetings throughout the district and the
region.
Education & Training
St. John's University School of Law--Jamaica, NY
Juris Doctor--Admitted to practice in New York State in February 1994
Long Island University/C.W. Post College--Greenvaley NY
B.A. in Political Science--June 1983
Summer 2005 Fellow
John F. Kennedy School of Government/Harvard University--Cambridge, MA
Program for Senior Executives in State & Local Government
Teaching & Independent Consulting
2010-Present Presenter--New Jersey Association of Chiefs of
Police
Presenter--New Jersey Traffic Officers
Association
Presenter--Constitutional Officers Association
of New Jersey
Presenter--International Association of
Transportation Regulators
Presenter--CUNY--Urban Transportation Research
Center
2005-2009 Presenter--National Association of State
Secretaries of State
Presenter--Washington, D.C. Consular Corps
Presenter--U.S. House of Representatives
retreat
2000-2005 Presenter--United States Secret Service
Electronic Crimes Task Force
Presenter--New York Prosecutors Training
Institute
DPresenter--New York State Sheriffs
Association
Presenter--New York State Association of
Chiefs of Police
1994-1997 Adjunct Faculty--Long Island University/C.W.
Post College, Greenvale, N.Y.
School of Public Administration
Professional Associations
2015 International Board, American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)--
Representing the State of New Jersey
2004-2005 International Board, American Association of
Motor Vehicle Administrators (AAMVA)--
Representing the State of New York
2005 President, AAMYA--Region I (Mid-Atlantic and
New England states & Northeast Canadian
Provinces) Worked with counterpart
commissioners and other jurisdiction
officials throughout the northeast region of
the United States and Canada.
2008 St. John's University School of Law--
Distinguished Alumni in Government Service
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Mr. Martinez.
Mr. Landsberg.
STATEMENT OF BRUCE S. LANDSBERG, TO BE A MEMBER OF THE NATIONAL
TRANSPORTATION SAFETY BOARD
Mr. Landsberg. Thank you, Chairman Blunt, Ranking Member
Booker, and distinguished Members of the Committee. I am
honored to appear before you today as you consider my
nomination as a member of the National Transportation Safety
Board. And I am grateful to President Trump for the confidence
he has placed in me in making this nomination.
I am joined today by my son Matthew who is here to observe
the proceedings.
My entire working career has been devoted to safety, either
directly or indirectly. As a young Air Force officer assigned
to nuclear weapons, safety was paramount. As a flight
instructor, my job was not only to keep the training aircraft
safe but to impart safety knowledge to my students.
Although I flew both light and corporate turbine aircraft
during my tenure here, that was never my primary
responsibility. For the last 33 years, my employers have had
the word ``safety'' in the organization name. For 22 years, I
was the Executive Director and President of the AOPA Foundation
and the Air Safety Institute. The mission was to promote safety
for all pilots with an emphasis on business and personal flight
operations where ongoing effort is placed to improve their
safety record.
I have served on many government committees, including
NASA's Aviation Safety Committee and the National Weather
Service's Modernization Transition Committee, as the aviation
representative. For the FAA, I served on the Research,
Engineering and Development Advisory Committee and was the
Industry Co-Chair on runway incursions, which remains an
ongoing challenge. My longest and most recent committee
assignment was as the Industry Co-Chair of the Joint Aviation
Steering Committee, which is similar to the Commercial Airline
Safety Team.
As industry co-chair, I spent 14 years working
collaboratively with FAA, NTSB, and many industry groups to
identify the primary sources of fatal accidents and address
them. We made many recommendations, and I am pleased to say
that there has been a significant reduction in the general
aviation fatal accident rate. There is still more to be done.
If confirmed, there are several areas that I believe would
be beneficial for the NTSB to address.
Automation implementation across all modes, surface,
airborne, and marine. The engineering and human factors
challenges are significant and urgent.
The integration of drones, or unmanned aerial systems, into
airspace to prevent collisions with manned aircraft.
And finally, the continuing and ongoing emphasis on human
factors across all modes.
There is a fine balance between appropriate and essential
regulation for the protection of life and practical
recommendations that allow as much freedom and innovation
consistent with safety. By learning from past tragedies across
all modes, there is great opportunity. As accidents become
fewer and data collection improves, looking for precursors to
high-risk operations and situations becomes the next frontier.
Data leads the way, but safety first, always.
If confirmed, it would be my honor to serve. I look forward
to working collaboratively with my fellow board members, the
NTSB staff, and this Committee to enhance transportation safety
for all modes for the benefit of all.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here, and I look
forward to your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Landsberg follow:]
Prepared Statement of Bruce S. Landsberg Nominee to be a Member,
National Transportation Safety Board
Thank you, Chairman Thune, Ranking Member Nelson, and distinguished
Members of the Committee. I am honored to appear before you today as
you consider my nomination as a Member of the National Transportation
Safety Board (NTSB). I am grateful to President Trump for the
confidence he has placed in me to make this nomination.
My entire working career has been devoted to safety, either
directly or indirectly. As a young Air Force Officer, assigned to
nuclear weapons, safety was paramount. As a flight instructor, my job
was not only to keep the training aircraft safe but to impart safety
knowledge to my students.
Although I flew both light and turbine corporate aircraft, that was
never my primary responsibility. For the last 33 years my employers
have had the word ``Safety'' in the organization name. For 22 years I
was executive director and president of the AOPA Foundation and Air
Safety Institute. The mission was to promote safety for all pilots with
emphasis on business and personal flight operations where ongoing
effort is placed to improve the safety record.
I have served on many government committees, including NASA's
Aviation Safety Committee and National Weather Service Modernization
Transition Committee as aviation representative. For the FAA, I served
on the Research, Engineering and Development Advisory committee and was
Industry Co-Chair for Runway Incursions, which remains an ongoing
challenge. My longest and most recent committee assignment was Industry
Co-Chair for the General Aviation Joint Steering Committee--similar to
the Commercial Airline Safety Team.
As Industry Co-Chair, I spent 14 years working collaboratively with
FAA, NTSB and many industry groups to identify the primary sources
fatal accidents and address them. We made many recommendations and I'm
pleased to say that there has been a significant reduction in the
General Aviation fatal accident rate. There is still more to be done.
If confirmed, there are several areas that I believe would be
beneficial for the NTSB to address:
1. Automation implementation across all modes, surface, airborne and
marine. The engineering and human factors challenges are
significant and urgent.
2. The integration of drones, or UAS, into the airspace to prevent
collisions with manned aircraft.
3. The continuing and ongoing emphasis on human factors across all
modes.
There is a fine balance between appropriate and essential
regulation for the protection of life and practical recommendations
that allow as much freedom and innovation consistent with safety. By
learning from past tragedies across all modes there is great
opportunity. As accidents become fewer and data collection improves,
looking for precursors to high-risk situations becomes the next
frontier. Data leads the way. Safety comes first, always!
If confirmed, it would be my honor to serve. I look forward to
working collaboratively with my fellow Board Members, the NTSB staff
and this committee to enhance transportation safety across all modes
for the benefit of all.
Thank you for the opportunity to be here. I look forward to
answering your questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames: Bruce S. Landsberg.
2. Position to which nominated: NTSB--Board Member, Vice Chair.
3. Date of Nomination: September 29, 2017.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not provided to the public.
Office: Information not provided.
5. Date and Place of Birth: July 15, 1949; Washington, D.C.
6. Provide the name, position, and place of employment for your
spouse (if married) and the names and ages of your children (including
stepchildren and children by a previous marriage).
Spouse--Janet D. Landsberg; Son--Matthew E. Landsberg; Son--
Neil C. Landsberg (Deceased)
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
B.A. Psychology, 1971, University of Maryland
M.A. Industrial Technology, 1976, University of Maryland
8. List all post-undergraduate employment and highlight all
management-level jobs held and any non-managerial jobs that relate to
the position for which you are nominated.
1973-1976: Beacon Flying Service, Assistant Chief Flight
Instructor
1977-1980: Cessna Aircraft Company, Manager Air Age Education
1981: American Airlines Training Corporation Instructor
1981-1992: Product Marketing Manager Flight Safety
International
1992-2014: A Foundation & Air Safety Institute, Executive
Director/President
2015-2016: AOPA Air Safety Institute, Senior Safety Advisor
9. Attach a copy of your resume. Attached.
10. List any advisory, consultative, honorary, or other part-time
service or positions with Federal, State, or local governments, other
than those listed above, within the last ten years.
2001-2015: FAA--General Aviation Joint Steering Committee--
Industry Chair
2001-2010 (dates approximate) NASA Aviation Safety Reporting
System Committee--Member
11. List all positions held as an officer, director, trustee,
partner, proprietor, agent, representative, or consultant of any
corporation, company, firm, partnership, or other business, enterprise,
educational, or other institution within the last ten years.
Aviation Accreditation Board International (A)--Board member,
safety committee member (approximate) 2009-2014
12. Please list each membership you have had during the past ten
years or currently hold with any civic, social, charitable,
educational, political, professional, fraternal, benevolent or
religious organization, private club, or other membership organization.
Include dates of membership and any positions you have held with any
organization. Please note whether any such club or organization
restricts membership on the basis of sex, race, color, religion,
national origin, age, or handicap.
Coalition to End Veteran Suicide: 2014-2017, charitable group--
No restriction
East Cooper Pilots Association Member: 2015-Present--No
restriction
13. Have you ever been a candidate tor and/or held a public office
(elected, non-elected, or appointed)? If so, indicate whether any
campaign has any outstanding debt, the amount, and whether you are
personally liable for that debt. No.
14. Itemize all political contributions to any individual, campaign
organization, political party, political action committee, or similar
entity of $500 or more tor the past ten years. Also list all offices
you have held with, and services rendered to, a state or national
political party or election committee during the same period. None.
15. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Aero Club of New England--Presidents Award
16. Please list each book, article, column, or publication you have
authored, individually or with others. Also list any speeches that you
have given on topics relevant to the position tor which you have been
nominated. Do not attach copies of these publications unless otherwise
instructed.
Making presentations was an integral part of my position with the
Air Safety Institute with hundred of programs over the past 22 years.
Subject was general aviation safety, pilot techniques, accident reviews
and procedure. Speeches were almost entirely to pilot groups and
occasionally to aviation associations. Did not use notes or keep
records.
2016 Speeches: NTSB Panelist--Pilot Report Forum--DC
Annual Speeches--given to these same groups every year
Aero Club of New England--Crash Course--Boston, MA--March
NATCA--Communicating for Safety--Las Vegas, March
Sun-N-Fun--Lakeland, FL--April
EAA Air Venture--Oshkosh, WI--July
Articles and Columns
My position at AOPA entailed considerable writing including monthly
magazine columns. Topics address aviation safety, pilot procedures and
techniques.
Articles--Below is a brief listing of recent writings. Many more
can be found at www.aopa.org/news-and-medialartic/es-by-author/bruce-
landsberg
AOPA Pilot Magazine
Margins to live by--August 2017--Pilots who successfully push
the envelope at larger airports sometimes find difficulty at
the bucolic grass strips where many go to vacation.
Sideways Slide--June 2017--Crosswinds affect all aircraft, big
and small. This ``Landmark Accident'' illustrates that previous
experience and training doesn't always serve us well.
Vertical Thinking--February 2017--Controlled flight into
terrain (CFIT) is the third leading cause of fatal accidents in
general aviation, according to the FAA.
Only using the Hammer to Train--December 2016--There's a
consensus that much of the flight training system is broken,
and has been for decades.
Flameout--December 2016--Distraction is present in one form or
another in almost every accident scenario, and the priorities
have to be clear as to what gets resolved first.
Soft Field, Soft Thinking--Sept 2016--When is a pilot-in-
command not responsible for a takeoff gone wrong? What is the
role of regulation and common sense?
Weather Wolves and Crowdsourcing--May 2016--Have you ever been
told that VFR was not recommended, or that there was moderate
turbulence ahead, or icing--and nothing bad happened? Ever
expected to have an easy flight, and all of those things
happened?
Nobody's Flying Today--April 2016--It was a little more than
three years ago when a Mooney pilot decided to challenge a big
wind in New Mexico.
Hosed--December 2015--Love the smell of jet fuel in the
morning? You'd better be flying a turbine or a diesel aircraft,
because Jet A in a conventional aircraft piston engine will
cause a lot of trouble.
The Annual Brush-up--November 2015--Feeling a bit rusty? Or,
perhaps you're the self proclaimed ace of the base. How about
an honest second opinion?
Watch That Basket--October 2015--One of the challenges pilots
face in powered flight is what to do when the flight becomes
unpowered. Clyde Cessna noted nearly a century ago that, ``If
the engine stops for any reason, you are due to tumble, and
that's all there is to it!''
Distracting Distractions--August 2015--The NTSB looks at the
annual carnage that occurs in all modes of transport to
determine its top 1O list of things not to do.
Trust But Verify--July 2015--The quote, ``First, do no harm''--
often attributed, erroneously, to the Hippocratic Oath--does
have application to aircraft mechanics.
Aviate First--June 2015--The late comedian, George Carlin,
offered solid advice to, ``Always do what is next.'' We
aviators usually hear it as ``Aviate, navigate, communicate.''
Losing it--May 2015--It's always a bad thing when we lose it--
whatever ``it'' may be. In flying, loss of control (LOG) might
lead to the ultimate calamity-the loss of life. The NTSB put
LOC on its top-10 list for 2015.
Wild Wings on Takeoffs--February 2015--The Lancair IV-PT is one
of the highest performance kit-built aircraft ever conceived.
While the pilot had considerable experience in high-performance
jets, including vintage fighters, he had received no
instruction in this amateur built speedster.
17. Please identify each instance in which you have testified
orally or in writing before Congress in a governmental or non-
governmental capacity and specify the date and subject matter of each
testimony.
Industry Co-Chair, FAA Runway Incursion Subcommittee of FAA
Research, Engineering & Development Advisory Committee--November 13,
1997 http://comm
docs.house.gov/committees/Trans/hpw105-47.000/hpw105-47_Of.htm
18. Given the current mission, major programs, and major
operational objectives of the department/agency to which you have been
nominated, what in your background or employment experience do you
believe affirmatively qualifies you for appointment to the position for
which you have been nominated, and why do you wish to serve in that
position?
As an active pilot and flight instructor for over 45 years, I've
had an abiding interest in safety, participating in both corporate and
personal aviation. My career has been dedicated to improving pilot
education and training, involving both turbine and light aircraft. My
most recent career position, which I held for over two decades,
addressed the challenges of the largest and most diverse group of
flight operations to improve their safety record, ranging from turbine
business aircraft to the lightest of training aircraft.
All channels were employed (live seminars, online Weimar and
courses, video, direct mail and publications) much like NTSB. While
considerable safety improvement has been made, there is still much to
be done in all modes.
The NTSB's enabling legislation directs it to conduct independent,
unbiased investigation of accidents across all modes of transportation.
There can be no higher calling than to preserve life. It would be a
great honor to serve our Nation and its citizens in this capacity.
19. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department/agency has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
My role will be to support the Chairman and Managing Director to
insure proper setting of priorities with commensurate investment and
oversight to prevent waste and overspending.
20. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
1. Assessing effects of automation across all modes and making
safety recommendations.
2. The pros and cons of drones, or UAS, should be understood and
appropriate recommendations made to allow greatest possible use
without creating unacceptable risk to the public.
3. Continuing to expand understanding of human factors across modes,
including complacency, distraction and fatigue.
b. potential conflicts of interest
1. Describe all financial arrangements, deferred compensation
agreements, and other continuing dealings with business associates,
clients, or customers. Please include information related to retirement
accounts.
AOPA, deferred compensation 457(b) plan--estimated final
cash payment to be received in January 2018, (AOPA has no
control over this item.)
FlightSafety International, defined benefit plan pension-
retirement payments received monthly--annuity via Mass Mutual
Life Insurance. (FlightSafety has no control over this item.)
AOPA Defined Benefit Plan: Metropolitan Life Insurance Fixed
Annuity--value not ascertainable--have not started annuity.
(AOPA has no control over this item.)
More detail provided in Section E--Financial Data
2. Do you have any commitments or agreements, formal or informal,
to maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during your appointment? If so,
please explain. None
3. Indicate any investments, obligations, liabilities, or other
relationships which could involve potential conflicts of interest in
the position to which you have been nominated. None
4. Describe any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction which you have had during the last ten years, whether for
yourself, on behalf of a client, or acting as an agent, that could in
any way constitute or result in a possible conflict of interest in the
position to which you have been nominated. None
5. Describe any activity during the past ten years in which you
have been engaged for the purpose of directly or indirectly influencing
the passage, defeat, or modification of any legislation or affecting
the administration and execution of law or public policy. None
6. Explain how you will resolve any potential conflict of interest,
including any that may be disclosed by your responses to the above
items.
There are no conflicts of interest.
c. legal matters
1. Have you ever been disciplined or cited for a breach of ethics,
professional misconduct, or retaliation by, or been the subject of a
complaint to, any court, administrative agency, the Office of Special
Counsel, professional association, disciplinary committee, or other
professional group? No.
2. Have you ever been investigated, arrested, charged, or held by
any Federal, State, or other law enforcement authority of any Federal,
State, county, or municipal entity, other than for a minor traffic
offense. If so, please explain. No.
3. Have you or any business or nonprofit of which you are or were
an officer ever been involved as a party in an administrative agency
proceeding, criminal proceeding, or civil litigation? If so, please
explain.
Civil litigation, DC Superior Court, 2014CA80, settled July 2016,
Medical Malpractice.
4. Have you ever been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation other than a minor traffic
offense? No.
5. Have you ever been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
another basis? No.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination. None.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees? Yes.
2. Will you ensure that your department/agency does whatever it can
to protect congressional witnesses and whistle blowers from reprisal
for their testimony and disclosures? Yes.
3. Will you cooperate in providing the Committee with requested
witnesses, including technical experts and career employees, with
firsthand knowledge of matters of interest to the Committee? Yes.
4. Are you willing to appear and testify before any duly
constituted committee of the Congress on such occasions as you may be
reasonably requested to do so? Yes.
______
Resume of Bruce Landsberg
Experienced aviation safety executive with broad industry background
and extensive volunteer government service seeks appointment to the
National Transportation Safety Board (NTSB).
Employment History
All positions required technical expertise, integrity, ability to
collaborate with others to accomplish complex tasks and programs,
creativity and persistence to achieve goals. With exception of USAF,
positions involved corporate flight operations, accident analysis,
safety promotion and management perspective.
Aircraft Owners and Pilot Association (AOPA) Air Safety Institute/AOPA
Foundation--Executive Director/President, 1992-2014--Developed and
expanded general aviation safety education programs including a
national live seminar program working in conjunction with FAA, managed
development of more than three dozen online training courses and
accident review case studies, developed national general aviation (GA)
accident database to provide pilots, industry and government free
universal access and published a nationally recognized annual report
(Joseph T. Nall Report) to specifically track accidents and analyze
general aviation safety trends for accident reduction purposes.
Considerable interaction with National Transportation Safety Board.
FlightSafety International--Product Marketing Manager, 1981-1992
Created marketing programs for general aviation pilots of turbine and
high performance multiehgine piston aircraft promoting initial and
recurrent simulator training, developed an airline transition training
program for new regional airline pilots, new business development,
insurance company liaison.
Cessna Aircraft Company--Manager, Aviation Education Department, 1977-
1980--Assisted colleges and universities integrate aviation operations
into their curriculum. Developed fleet sales program adjudication
programs/workshops to provide guidance to educational institutions.
U.S. Air Force--Missile Launch Officer 1971-1977, Nuclear ICBMs
(Minuteman II/III), Required high level of safety awareness and
procedural discipline, Top Secret Cryptographic clearance, includes
reserve duty.
Aviation QuaIifications
Current aircraft owner and active pilot, Airline Transport Pilot,
Flight Instructor, Ground Instructor Flight Experience: 6,200+ hours,
3,000+ hours flight instruction.
Committees and Working Groups
Provided service over 35 years to industry and government in support of
aviation safety, training, and accident prevention.
Aviation Accreditation Board International (AABI)--2010-2014, Board
Member, Safety Committee member--provided general guidance regarding
aviation flight operations and accreditation to collegiate aviation
programs.
FAA Research, Engineering and Development Committee member--1994-1998,
served as general aviation representative to assist FAA in choosing
appropriate programs for future investment.
FAA Runway Safety Program Industry Co-Chair--1997 (est), developed
recommendations for FAA Flight Standards, Airports, Air Traffic Control
and industry on how to reduce runway incursions. Key guidance reduced
ambiguity of ATC clearances and improved ground signage.
FAA General Aviation Joint Steering Committee (GAJSC) Industry Co-
chair--2000-2014, in leadership position, collaborating with FAA and
industry on improving General Aviation safety--successful in exceeding
10 year goal of reducing GA fatal accidents by ten percent.
FAA Accident Prevention Counselor--1975-1977, served as FAA safety
representative to small DC area GA airport (W32).
General Aviation Manufacturers Assn Transition Training Committee
Chair--1988 (est.), One year lead of an industry team to develop a
standard syllabus for transition into more complex aircraft.
NASA--Aviation Safety Reporting System/ASRS) Advisory Committee
member--1998-2006, Develop implementation plan for current and future
aviation safety needs and Federal Aviation Administration requirements.
NASA Advanced General Aviation Transportation Experiment (AGATE)
member--1996-2001, provided industry perspective and assistance in
helping to design weather in the cockpit and other aspects of modern
aircraft, including Cirrus Design SR20/SR22, highway in the sky
avionics.
National Weather Service--Modernization Transition Committee, aviation
representative--1994-1999, assisted NWS in executing congressional
oversight on consolidation of hundreds of forecast offices with no
degradation of service to either aviation entities or the general
public.
Publications & Education Outreach
Monthly safety columnist and feature writer for AOPA Pilot & Flying
Magazine--Safety, training articles and accident reviews. (AOPA Safety
Pilot, Landmark Accidents, AOPA Leading edge blog)--Several hundred
articles. Provided editorial guidance for video and online courses.
Keynote speaker and seminar presenter--major air-shows, domestic and
international conferences, aviation events, various aircraft owner
groups, colleges and university safety events.
Education
University of Maryland--BA, Psychology, English, AFROTC
University of Maryland--MA, Industrial Technology--[Thesis: comparison
of safety and effectiveness using various pilot training protocols--
published Flying Magazine].
Senator Blunt. Well, thank you, Mr. Landsberg.
And we will start a series of 5-minute rounds of questions
with Senator Booker and I and then others in the order that
they have come to the hearing today.
I know that all of you have had substantial public service
before, and we appreciate that. I also know that you each would
have reasons to appreciate the importance of cooperation
between the Executive Branch and the Congress. However, having
a hearing gives us a chance to put you on the record to be sure
that that is a commitment that you are making.
And so the question to each of you is, if confirmed, will
you pledge to work collaboratively with this Committee and its
Members and to provide thorough and timely responses to our
requests for information? This is a yes or no question, and
only a no will solicit a follow-up. So Congressman
Westmoreland?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir.
Senator Blunt. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Blunt. Mr. Martinez?
Mr. Martinez. Yes, Chairman.
Senator Blunt. Mr. Landsberg?
Mr. Martinez. Absolutely, Chairman.
Senator Blunt. Well, then let us start with questions.
Mr. Martinez, you had a substantial job dealing with motor
vehicles, and you mentioned the 250 million people that are on
the road that are not commercially on the road. Your experience
has been pretty much on the non-commercial side up till now.
Just a brief sense of how you think that has helped you get
ready for now regulating this important commercial industry and
the drivers in the industry?
Mr. Martinez. Certainly. In the two previous positions as
the Motor Vehicle Commissioner in New Jersey and the Motor
Vehicle Commissioner and Traffic Safety Chief in New York
State, it gives you the broad view of the traffic safety
landscape in both of those jurisdictions. Obviously, we license
commercial driver license holders and have to suspend some of
them when they run afoul.
Certainly when it comes to truck safety and bus safety, in
New Jersey--it is set up differently in many different states,
but in New Jersey, we do the inspection of commercial buses.
The Motor Vehicle Department does that. So we have involvement
in that aspect of it.
But I understand that this is a very complex area, and I
would look forward to working with all of our stakeholders.
Senator Blunt. Thank you.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, I think the job you have been
nominated for is a relatively new job looking at research
across the Transportation Department. And your sense of how you
deal with that intermodally, how you look at all aspects of
transportation and be sure that the research that needs to be
done for all of those aspects of transportation is being done.
Just a brief sense of your thoughts on that up till now?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. My priority would be working with
Secretary Chao and with all of you on research that can inform
policy proposals and policy decisions. I see very important
areas in autonomous vehicles safety, effect on the workforce,
funding highways, cybersecurity. So I would hope to be able to
work closely with all of you.
Senator Blunt. We appreciate that. And I think there will
be some more questions that come up on specific areas. Like
autonomous vehicles are one of the things that this Committee
is spending a lot of time thinking about, thinking about the
Federal role as opposed to the 50 states and what they might
do. And I think we will probably get back to that and other
areas of research here in a minute.
Congressman Westmoreland, there have been instances in the
past when you voted against Amtrak funding. Could you explain
the reasons for that vote? I think even on the last
transportation bill, there was a vote or two that you might
want to talk about, and I would be pleased to hear your
thoughts on those votes and how you think they would impact, if
at all, your job on the Amtrak Board?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir. Thank you. Mr. Chairman, I did
vote for the FAST legislation. In the past, there have been
amendments that have been tried to be put on the transportation
bill that called into question some of the supplement that was
paid on some of these train tickets. And what the amendment
said--and this has been more than one. There is about four of
these that I have listed on the sheet that I was given--that
basically said if the cost of the rail ticket was subsidized
twice more than what the passenger paid, that it would not be
funded.
And so I think this is a responsibility in my district, the
Congressional district I represent, a very conservative
district. It would be hard for me to explain to my folks at
home that jumping on a train to ride to Washington or New York
or Boston or New Jersey--why their ticket is not subsidized in
the same amount as somebody else. And so, therefore, I voted
with conscience of my constituents and also for the fact that
we have to be conscious of these supplements that we give.
And so I joined several Members on this Committee in a lot
of these votes. And so I think it was just a really--not that I
do not believe in the transportation system that we have here
but just as a matter to have these things looked at to see if
there is not some type of remedy that we can do to cut down on
the supplemental pay.
Senator Blunt. Thank you.
I think I will maybe get back to you later, Mr. Landsberg.
We will have a second round of questions if anybody needs them.
And to try to set the standard here that we will stay within
the 5 minutes on the first round, I am going to go to Senator
Booker.
Senator Booker. Out of respect to my colleague's time, I am
going to pass to Senator Klobuchar.
STATEMENT OF HON. AMY KLOBUCHAR,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MINNESOTA
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you very much. I appreciate it and
thank both of you.
And congratulations to all of you.
Mr. Westmoreland, I thought I would start with you. I
assume you served some with my friend and former Congressman
who died a few years ago, Jim Oberstar, who I think you know
cared a lot about rail and transportation and was always the
one that said, ``there is no such thing as a Democratic bridge
or a Republican bridge.'' And I hope you will bring that
philosophy to rail at Amtrak.
And I just wanted to remind you there is the Empire
Builder. I know we talk a lot about coastal services here, but
there is a very important service from Chicago that goes
through Minnesota and for cities like Winona where Amtrak has a
station and all the other towns. For the Empire Builder, it is
very, very important.
Mr. Westmoreland. Sure, and I agree with you, Senator. And
Chairman Oberstar was a great Chairman until he started
speaking in French.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Westmoreland. It was very hard to interpret what he was
trying to get across.
But I understand that. You know, rural communities have got
to have access to transportation, and sometimes rail is that
access that they have to get from one place to the other. And I
understand that. And my desire is that the Board--and I could
work with the Board to make sure that we make those possible
and do them in a very cost efficient way.
Senator Klobuchar. Very good. And I think for us just the
on-time issue and some of the things being a route that only
has a few trains that go a day is very, very important for us.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, ma'am.
Senator Klobuchar. Mr. Landsberg, I have worked a lot on
the pilot safety issue. Of course, former Senator Wellstone
died in a tragic crash. So I got interested in it because of
that. And we have, of course, passenger pilots. We put some
safety rest requirements in place, which was a bit of an issue
in this crash in Minnesota. But as we know, the Colgan flight
3407 really brought it to light for all of us. And I am trying
to work on a bill that Captain Sullenberger is very strongly
behind that would apply these same rules to cargo pilots.
Despite using the same runways and airspace, they currently
have looser rest requirements.
Could you talk about the pilot fatigue issue and how you
see this as applying to cargo pilots?
Mr. Landsberg. Absolutely, Senator. I have not noticed that
cargo pilots are significantly different than pilots flying
passenger planes, and they suffer from the same fatigue issues.
I realize that there are fewer people on board those aircraft.
I think it is difficult sometimes to put cost-benefit analyses
to these because our system is so safe. But having flown many,
many hours myself, including on the back side of the clock, I
think we really do need to defer to human factors. And I would
think that it makes sense to have cargo pilots adhere to the
same standards.
Senator Klobuchar. Thank you.
I have also worked distracted driving for quite a while.
Senator Hoeven and I passed a bill. And I just think for my
colleagues to think about this. We have had a lot of declines
for the last 5 decades with traffic fatalities, and that is a
lot of good work that has gone on here with seatbelt rules and
drunk driving rules on the State basis. All kinds of good
things have happened and education campaigns. Well,
unfortunately, from 2015 to 2016, there was a 5.6 percent
increase in traffic fatalities. And we know that much of this
is attributed to distracted driving. And can you commit to work
with me on this issue? I still think there is more we have to
do.
And, Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, I just sent a letter to
Administrator Rosekind urging him to work with us on getting
the data on this for individual states. I always figured, as
you said, you can use data in a better way if you have good
data to come up with policies.
But if you, Mr. Landsberg, could----
Mr. Landsberg. Senator, I could hardly wait.
Senator Klobuchar. Wow. You are really enthusiastic about
my issues. This has made my day. So I appreciate it.
In light of the time and Senator Blunt's admonition here, I
will ask my question about rail on the record. Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Thank you.
Before I go to Senator Inhofe, I have two letters in
support of Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. These letters were submitted by
William Winston, the Senior Fellow at The Brookings Institute,
and Erica Goshen at Cornell University's Industrial Labor
Relations School. So without objection, those will be included.
[The letters referred to follow:]
Brookings
Washington, DC, October 11, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune:
It is a pleasure for me to write a letter in support of Diana
Furchtgott-Roth's nomination to be Assistant Secretary for Research and
Technology in the U.S. Department of Transportation. I have known Diana
for decades and she is a highly intelligent, honest, and dedicated
researcher and policy analyst, who will greatly enhance policymaking at
DOT.
By way of background, I am a general transportation economist, who
studies all modes and infrastructure in the process of analyzing
domestic and international transportation policy issues. I have
interacted with Diana since the 1980s when I presented research at the
American Enterprise Institute and sought her feedback on issues
including deregulation of the airlines and surface freight
transportation industries and efficient pricing and investment of
highways and airports. I have always found Diana to offer constructive
and balanced insights, with sound policy judgments. I have also read
Diana's research at AET and more recently at Economics21 and found it
to be of high quality. Diana has a healthy respect for the price system
and a balanced view toward finding constructive government policy
interventions when appropriate.
Those qualities will serve her and the Nation well in her
responsibilities as an Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
In addition, Diana is honest about empirical analysis and data quality,
which are essential for credible policy recommendations.
In sum, I believe DOT would be fortunate to attract someone with
the intelligence, research abilities, judgment, and integrity as Diana
Furchtgott-Roth and I strongly hope the Senate gives unanimous consent
to her nomination.
Sincerely
Clifford Winston,
Senior Fellow.
______
Cornell University
New York, NY, October 12, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Senator Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senators Thune and Nelson:
I write to provide input on the nomination of Diana Furchtgott-Roth
to the position of Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research
and Technology. As Assistant Secretary, Ms. Furchtgott-Roth would
oversee the Bureau of Transportation Statistics and the Office of
Research, Development and Technology. I believe that Ms. Furchtgott-
Roth understands the need for trustworthy Federal statistical data and
will fully respect the integrity of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics and data-producing areas within her sphere.
On January 27, 2017, I finished my four-year term as the
Commissioner of the Bureau of Labor Statistics (BLS) in the Department
of Labor. As a former statistical agency head, I know the importance of
reporting to a leader who understands and supports the independence and
mission of the agency.
I have known Ms. Furchtgott-Roth professionally for many years. I
have seen that she has been consistently been supportive of the need
for gold-standard Federal statistical data to inform public and private
decision-making. When she served as Chief Economist for the Department
of Labor, she worked closely with BLS economists on detail to her and
interacted regularly with BLS leaders and staff. She treated the BLS
with the utmost respect and never attempted to suppress or otherwise
interfere with BLS data or undermine the agency's independence.
I hope you find this information useful and I would be happy to
respond to any follow-up questions you have.
Sincerely,
Erica L. Groshen,
Visiting Senior Scholar,
Cornell University--Industrial and Labor Relations School.
Senator Blunt. And we will go to Senator Inhofe.
STATEMENT OF HON. JIM INHOFE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM OKLAHOMA
Senator Inhofe. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
First of all, Mr. Landsberg, I am really excited that you
are going to be on the NTSB. I have had a lot of experience, as
you are fully aware of, and your time was very valuable that
you spent with the AOPA and particularly with the safety group.
I have had an opportunity to see your work personally, and I am
going to share with you an experience.
Five years ago, I introduced the Pilots Bill of Rights, and
that was one that had a lot to do with the NTSB. I had other
things in there too, other issues that we had that we found
that pilots were not really being treated properly. But one of
the main ones was if you were accused of something in the
field, as I was down in Port Isabel, Texas--that was 5 years
ago--when I had done nothing wrong, and it would go to the FAA.
Then if I wanted--now, it never got that far with me, but with
others it has--to take that on to the NTSB, then our experience
has been that 91 percent of all of the recording changes or
appeals that went to the NTSB were virtually rubber stamped by
the NTSB. And they did not even deny it because when I talked
to the NTSB, well, that investigation has already been going
forward.
So we added something to the first Pilots Bill of Rights,
and that is de novo so that if it then went to the next--it
went past the NTSB and went to the Federal district courts,
they would have start all over again. And that policy then was
assumed to be the same way as it went to the NTSB.
So my question of you is, will you see to it on anything
that is any action against a pilot that is appealed to the NTSB
from the FAA, that it be treated as a de novo in terms of the
investigation that would bring you to the conclusion to either
approve or disapprove the action of the FAA?
Mr. Landsberg. Absolutely, Senator. To the extent that an
investigation is appealed to the NTSB, there is obviously a
certain amount of energy and importance to that. And I think in
fairness to all and following due process and for the NTSB to
maintain its independent stature, it is appropriate for them to
take a very thorough look at that rather than just saying we
will let this go by the board.
Senator Inhofe. Yes. And you have actually had that
experience before in working with the NTSB from the experience
that you had with AOPA. Is that not correct?
Mr. Landsberg. Yes, sir, not personally, but I have on
occasion seen circumstances where I am not sure that things
worked out as fairly as they might have.
Senator Inhofe. Yes. Well, anyway, I think it is going to
work out real well to have someone with your background in that
position. And I am looking forward to working with you.
Let us see. Mr. Martinez, the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration has issued exemptions to Federal hours of
service based on what I call real world circumstances. And I
was disappointed that the FMCSA issued guidance excluding
certain types of commercial from being able to fully operate
around the service of oil and gas well sites. Now, I am from
Oklahoma and we do have a lot of these. And I appreciate very
much your coming into my office and going over this.
But right now, in terms of servicing, if you are involved
in hydraulic fracturing, you have six different trucks that are
waiting in line for their place, each moving up. You have your
heavy coil vehicles, the wireline trucks, the cement pumps, the
frack pumps, and the blenders, and the sand trucks. And all six
of them have to get to the site to make that work. And only one
of those does not have the same exemption that the rest of them
do.
Now, I will not ask you if you would change that, but I
would ask you that if your research tells you that all six of
these perform the same function in terms of their application
in waiting in line, would you then either consider adding the
sand truck to the rest of them.
This is a huge thing because if just one of these six
trucks has to go in a different way, that interrupts the whole
process. It makes it much more expensive.
Do you follow my thoughts here?
Mr. Martinez. I do, Senator. And thank you. I have been
made aware of this issue. I would look forward to, if
confirmed, working with my colleagues at the FMCSA and engaging
your office and learning more and also with other stakeholders
to learn more about the specifics of this issue to see how it
could be addressed.
Senator Inhofe. All right. Well, I think that is all I
would really ask, and I appreciate that very much.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator Inhofe.
We will go to Senator Schatz and then Senator Capito.
STATEMENT OF HON. BRIAN SCHATZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM HAWAII
Senator Schatz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you to all of you for your willingness to serve.
My first question is for Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. In discussing
the prospects of a government shutdown during the previous
administration, you highlighted the Department of
Transportation as being an appropriate target for spending
cuts. You stated, quote, perhaps we could benefit from a
shutdown by identifying nonessential services that could be
eliminated permanently. One sector ripe for cuts is
transportation. You have also repeated a call for the Federal
Government to devolve responsibility for the Federal highway
system to the states.
Is that still your view? Do you believe that it is vital to
our national interests that the Federal Government ensures a
fast, safe, efficient, accessible, and convenient
transportation system?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, I think that transportation is
important to everybody. There are many new facts that have come
to light, and I am open to talking about this to you and
changing my opinion. As everybody knows, there are many, many
important programs of the Department of Transportation,
including those under the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Research.
Senator Schatz. So do you want to take that back? Perhaps
we could benefit from a shutdown. One sector ripe for cuts is
transportation.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I think that in light of new facts
that have come to light, I think that a shutdown is not helpful
for anybody.
Senator Schatz. Do you think that the transportation sector
is ripe for cuts?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I think that the transportation sector
is extremely important and needs to be given a lot of support.
Senator Schatz. Is that a yes or a no? I mean, you said
that one sector that is ripe for cuts and nonessential services
that could be eliminated permanently is the transportation
sector. Is that still your view?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I have not been in the Department of
Transportation, and so I do not really know if these cuts--I
have not looked at the budgets, and I would have to look at it
in order to give you a more informed answer.
Senator Schatz. But you had that view before your
nomination.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. But the budget of the Transportation
Department is different from what it is right now.
Senator Schatz. OK.
In 2013, you testified before the Senate EPW Committee that
a review of the data over the past 100 years does not show a
steady increase in major storms such as hurricanes nor a steady
increase in the number of floods, even though greenhouse gas
emissions have increased.
What is your view on extreme weather?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, we have certainly seen a lot of
extreme weather this past year, and climate change is certainly
happening. In the 1960s, we used to regularly skate on the C&O
canal right next to the Potomac River, and now it hardly ever
freezes over.
Senator Schatz. Do you think climate change is primarily
caused by humans?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Certainly some aspects of it, of
course, by humans, and I think no one has the precise amount.
Senator Schatz. Do you think it is primarily caused by
humans?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, this is a scientific issue. It
is certainly caused by humans, and no one can specify the
precise amount.
Senator Schatz. What is the predominating view among
scientists?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. The predominating view among many
scientists is that it is caused by humans. And I am an
economist, and this is a subject that I would leave to the
scientists. And it is not a matter of the research under the
auspices of the Assistant Secretary for Research.
Senator Schatz. In looking at your writings, particularly
on American workers, there seems to be a common thread. And let
me just quote. You said that Congress should end the Highway
Trust Fund and devolve authorities to states because, quote,
such devolution of responsibility to states would release them
from expensive Federal laws and regulations associated with
current highway spending, such as environmental laws, nor would
states be bound by Davis-Bacon prevailing wage requirements and
project labor agreements which require the use of costly
unionized labor. Is that still your view?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I support the current law. Davis-Bacon
is the current law, and changing it would be up to Congress.
Senator Schatz. You also said that allowing collective
bargaining rights for air traffic control could determine
whether the Nation's air traffic control system is thriving and
a vibrant part of the U.S. aviation or it becomes as infamous
as the Post Office, Amtrak, and TSA. Is that still your view?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I support all American workers and the
rights of all American workers.
Senator Schatz. Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator Schatz.
Senator Capito.
STATEMENT OF HON. SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WEST VIRGINIA
Senator Capito. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, and thank you for
bringing these folks before us. And thank you for your
willingness to serve.
Congressman Westmoreland, well, well, well, I have been
waiting for 12 years that I served with you in the House to be
able to grill you in front of America.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Westmoreland. This should be fun.
[Laughter.]
Senator Capito. Anyway, it is good to see you. And I
remember our trip to Noonan, Georgia, and look forward to,
hopefully, supporting you and having you on the Amtrak Board.
In West Virginia, Amtrak services 10 stations across the
state, and ridership has increased by over 1,700 passengers
between 2015 and 2016. In the country, a record 31 million
traveled on America's railroad, and nearly 400,000 more than in
2015. And ticket revenue has been up, $12 million compared to
last year.
My question is--and I know these were votes that came up
frequently over on the House side because we were there
together. Your votes on funding for Amtrak I think reflected a
need to look at the spending, use your business background, and
use the dollars more efficiently. Could you address some of
your feelings on that particular issue?
Mr. Westmoreland. Sure. Senator, I voted in the affirmative
for passage of the Surface Transportation Act and FAST Act,
which included Amtrak.
Some of the votes that people are concerned with are some
of the amendment votes. And I think you have to show your
constituents and some of the agencies that there is concern for
some of the way they are operating. We have an entire railroad
system for this whole country. As you mentioned in West
Virginia, a lot of the rural areas need this railroad
transportation just to get back and forth to work. And the
Northeast Corridor is one of the biggest commuter rail systems
in the world, I think.
But the votes--I think that if you look at what has
happened since some of this attention has been brought, like
you said, revenues are up. The debt is down. I think Mr.
Moreland and I know that Mr. Anderson are going to continue to
work in that direction. But from all indications, I think some
of these votes helped them and helped the Board to say we need
to identify some of these problems and work on them. And they
have been successful with doing that.
Senator Capito. Thank you.
Mr. Landsberg, on May 9, 2017--I am not sure if you are
aware of this--a cargo plane crashed and killed two people at
Charleston's Yeager Airport. It was early in the morning. I
just wanted to take this opportunity again--I have done this
from the Committee--to thank the NTSB for their quick response,
for their transparency, and for the professionalism with which
they moved forward in the investigation of that particular
accident.
So I guess in terms of how you see--I heard you address the
difference between cargo pilots and others. But how do you see
the NTSB's role in terms of transparency and immediacy in
reacting to one of these accidents, whether it is an air
accident or a train accident or something of that nature?
Mr. Landsberg. Well, I have had the privilege of working
with the NTSB for quite a number of years, including Chairman
Hart, Senator. But I think it is absolutely essential that they
respond quickly. They are the premier accident investigation
group in the world. And to bring their expertise to bear in a
timely fashion I think is essential that we get to the bottom
of whatever happened and learn what we can as quickly as we
can.
Senator Capito. Thank you. And I join with you on your
commitment for that.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, you mentioned in your testimony--I
just have a minute left. But you mentioned at the very end of
your testimony that some of the innovations in the
transportation sector are occurring outside the United States.
If you could pick one or maybe two examples of where you see
some really innovative ideas occurring outside the United
States that you think would be good ideas for us to look at,
could you name, off the top of your head, one or two of those
countries?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. For example, there are the congestion
charges in London where if you come in during certain hours,
vehicles have to pay because they are imposing costs on others.
In New Zealand, there are these hubometers for electric cars.
So they are charged for their use of the road because they do
not pay gasoline taxes.
Senator Capito. And what are they called?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. They call them hubometers because you
charge up your car with a certain number of miles, and that
alleviates privacy concerns because you are actually putting a
number of miles in your electric vehicle, a charge that would
be equivalent to a gas tax charge that they have for their
normal gasoline----
Senator Capito. Well, that is an issue that we tried to
face with the transportation costs in the trust fund is with
the electric vehicles and others, how do you make an even
playing field in terms of road usage and paying for the road
usage.
Thank you all very much.
Senator Booker. Ms. Duckworth, we are going to go to you.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY DUCKWORTH,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
Senator Duckworth. All right. I am ready to go. Thank you.
I want to thank the Chair and Ranking Member for convening
today's hearing, and I want to thank the nominees for
participating in this very important conversation.
Mr. Landsberg, you have been nominated to serve in an
incredibly important position that requires a strong commitment
to independence and speaking hard truths despite the risk of
upsetting industry and other government agencies.
As you know, Congress has given NTSB a unique mission to
prioritize safety above all other concerns. And NTSB's role in
providing clear guidance to Congress and the public on what is
the safest course of action, irrespective of costs or political
hurdles, is incredibly valued. That is why we value NTSB.
When it comes to civil aviation policy, we already have
plenty of industry back panels and diligent government agencies
who are required to listen to all stakeholders and seek
compromises to achieve and improve the status quo. What we only
have one of is a strong, credible, and independent voice that
is solely focused on improving transportation safety.
That is why I was concerned to learn about your previous
writings that suggest that you believe that the FAA's 1,500
hour rule has not benefited the flying public. As recently as
last month, FAA Administrator Michael Huerta has suggested that
our Nation's civil aviation system remains safer and better off
as a result of the 1,500 hour rule.
So yes or no. Do you agree with Administrator Huerta?
Mr. Landsberg. Senator, first off, as a family who has lost
a loved one due to the incompetence of others, I have great
empathy for the Colgan families and I commend their response to
taking action.
As far as my writings were concerned, which I think----
Senator Duckworth. Well, my question of you was, do you
agree with Michael Huerta's statement that our Nation's civil
aviation system remains safer and better off as a result of the
1,500 hour rule? It is a simple yes or no.
Mr. Landsberg. I think that there are two aviation
rulemaking advisory committees----
Senator Duckworth. Are we better off since the rule?
Mr. Landsberg.--as recently as last week, who had struggled
with this. I believe in the performance of pilots, and I think
that setting an arbitrary number is not necessarily the best
way to go.
Senator Duckworth. Looking at the accident rates since the
1,500 hour rule, in terms of fatalities in U.S. commercial
aviation, yes or no, do you agree with Administrator Huerta?
Mr. Landsberg. The accident rate has gone down.
Senator Duckworth. OK, thank you. Thank you. I am running
out of time. I apologize. I apologize. The Chairman can give
you more time to respond, but I only have 2 minutes left.
Mr. Landsberg. I understand.
Senator Duckworth. Pilots need to know how aircraft respond
in all conditions. Classroom and simulator experience is
helpful, but they are not a substitute for preparing a pilot
for the split second decisions required to operate aircraft
safely.
Before the 2009 Colgan air crash, pilots only needed 250
hours of experience before becoming a first officer. This
included only 50 hours of cross country experience, 5 hours of
night experience, and 10 hours of instrument time. And today
pilots must obtain 500 hours of cross country experience, 100
hours of night experience, and 75 hours of instrument time, as
well as gain multi-engine aircraft experience and an aircraft
type rating. This is why it has been safer since the 1,500 hour
rule was put into effect.
Since these rules were enacted 8 years ago, we have had
zero fatalities on passenger airlines compared with 154 tragic
airline fatalities in the 8 years preceding the reforms, in
addition to the Colgan air crash.
If confirmed, Mr. Landsberg, are you committed to providing
independent recommendations for pilot and first officer
training certification requirements that would achieve the
safest civil aviation system, not what is the safest system
balanced against industry claims of pilot shortages, just
simply what is safest?
Mr. Landsberg. Yes.
Senator Duckworth. OK. Thank you.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, very quickly, thank you for joining us
today.
If confirmed, you will oversee several U.S. DOT programs,
including the Bureau of Transportation Statistics. Is that
correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Correct, yes.
Senator Duckworth. As you may know, on November 2, U.S. DOT
published its final rule entitled, ``Reporting of Data of
Mishandled Baggage and Wheelchairs and Scooters Transported in
Aircraft Cargo Compartments.'' And yet, that rule has not yet
been complied with.
If confirmed, will you commit to prioritizing the
development of reporting requirements for the baggage,
wheelchair, and scooter rule and guarantee their successful
implementation ahead of the new January 2019 deadline?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I would be very happy to work with you
on that. I have not yet been at the Department, so I am not
familiar with that rule.
Senator Duckworth. Thank you.
Mr. Chairman, I am over time. I would like to ask for
consent to enter the following documents into the record.
Senator Blunt. Without objection.
Senator Duckworth. Do you want me to name them?
Senator Blunt. If you want to name them.
Senator Duckworth. Sure. October 25, 2017, the letter for
Mr. Landsberg asking him to clarify his position on the 1,500
hour rule. Second, Mr. Landsberg, October 30, 2017, response to
that letter. The third, Ms. Furchtgott's June 2009 article
entitled ``Starting a Trade War with Buy America.'' An October
25, 2017 from Bloomberg Business Week entitled ``Under Trump
Made in America is Losing Out to Russian Steel.'' And the fifth
item is an October 30, 2017 letter from the American
Association for Justice opposing Ms. Furchtgott-Roth's
nomination.
Senator Blunt. Without objection.
[The information referred to follows:]
United States Senate
Washington, DC, October 25, 2017
Bruce Landsberg,
Nominee as Board Member,
National Transportation Safety Board,
Washington, DC.
Dear Mr. Landsberg:
Congratulations on your nomination by President Trump to serve on
the National Transportation Safety Board (``NTSB.''). We write to
determine the degree to which you, if confirmed, would faithfully
execute this important responsibility, and to request specific
commitments from you as we consider your pending nomination before the
United States Senate.
NTSB operates as an independent Federal agency responsible for
investigating and determining the probable cause of every civil
aviation accident in the United States, along with significant
accidents in other modes of transportation railroad, highway,marine,
and pipeline. With this vested responsibility, NTSB develops
recommendations to prevent future accidents or reduce their effects in
terms of injury, loss of life, or damage to property. With a reputation
for objectivity and thoroughness, NTSB has achieved such success in
shaping transportation safety.
NTSB was instrumental in effectuating change in the wake of the
horrific tragedy of the Colgan Air flight 3407 that crashed into a
house in Clarence Center, New York, killing all 49 passengers and crew
onboard, as well as one person on the ground. The crash alerted the
Nation to shortfalls in our aviation safety system, particularly at the
regional airline level, and following subsequent investigation by NTSB
and numerous congressional hearings, Congress passed the Airline Safety
and Federal Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010. This law
required the FAA to issue new safety regulations governing pilot
fatigue, training and minimum qualifications, including duty time and
rest requirements and a requirement that all prospective commercial
pilots have 1,500 hours of flight time before receiving an Airline
Transport Pilot Certificate. Since these regulations have been in
place, there have been no airline passenger fatalities on a U.S.
domestic carrier, far surpassing the previous longest period without a
fatal commercial crash.
If confirmed, you would be responsible for ensuring the NTSB
continues to investigate and develop thorough recommendations to
prevent or reduce the effects of tragic accidents such as the Colgan
Air flight 3407. The NTSB is critical to providing honest and
thoughtful recommendations for how to improve transportation safety
without being biased by industries that all too often fight common
sensesafety regulations. While we hope that you will continue in this
important objective, it has come to our attention that while employed
by the Aircraft Owners and Pilots Association (AOPA) you made a number
of public comments about important safety requirements. In order to
understand your willingness to fulfill the responsibility of serving on
the NTSB, we request that you respond to the following questions:
1. While employed by AOPA, you authored multiple articles appearing
to attack the 1,500 hour flight time safety regulation issued
by the FAA following the Airline Safety and Federal Aviation
Administration Extension Act of 2010. Specifically, in November
2012, you wrote the following about the rnle:
``The Colgan accident was tragic and avoidable. There was a
systemic failure that needed to be addressed, but this result
is disappointing. A blunt instrument was used when a scalpel
would leave fewer scars and promote faster healing. Sometimes
even good intentions result in an unintended and undesirable
outcome. There are better ways to address the Colgan
disaster.''
Can you please clarify these comments and provide additional detail
about your view of the 1,500 hour rule? As you can imagine, these
comments are particularly concerning to us because they seem to suggest
that you do not support the current law. As recently as September 2017,
FAA Administrator Huerta stated Congress raised the safety standard
when requiring the FAA issue the 1,500 hour rule and that the system
remains safer and better off with the rule in place, do you share that
view?
2. In addition, you wrote the following in a 2012 article about the
rule:
``Nowhere in any of this are the first officer's flight-hour
qualifications mentioned as a cause or a factor, yet a law has
passed addressing a non-issue. This non sequitur was caused by
the understandable grief and outrage of the families who lost
loved ones on the flight. They somehow were led to believe that
the FO was under-qualified and she was a proximate cause.''
Can you please provide additional clarification on your position
that first officer qualifications are a ``non-issue''? Is this a view
you continue to hold? We have been working closely with the Families of
Flight 3407 since the horrific crash and there is no doubt that their
strength, determination, and advocacy has helped to improve aviation
safety. But to be clear, the landmark Airline Safety and Federal
Aviation Administration Extension Act of 2010 was not passed as a
result of outrage or grief, but rather as a clear and substantive
effort to improve aviation safety and address tragic shortfalls in the
existing regulations, including the different levels of safety that
existed across the aviation industry. For you to categorize their
efforts in this fashion is concerning, at best.
3. Furthermore, in 2015 Capt. Chesley B. ``Sully'' Sullenberger III
provided the following testimony to Senate Commerce Committee:
``Some lobbyists would like you to significantly roll back the
1,500-hour minimum. Short of that, they want the FAA to allow
simulator and academic training hours to count toward meeting
the 1,500-hour minimum. They see this as an easier, more
convenient, less expensive path to getting young pilots into
regional airline cockpits. But there are no shortcuts to
experience. There is no shortcut to safety. The standards are
the standards because they are necessary.''
Do you agree with Capt. Sullenberger's testimony that the
current standards are necessary? If confirmed, are you
committed to upholding, and under no circumstances recommending
weakening, existing pilot and first officer training
certification requirements which have proven to deliver the
longest period of time without a fatal commercial airline
crash?
4. Finally, the full text of a 2010 column written by you on Safety
Pilot has been removed from the AOPA website. Can you please
provide the full transcript of this article and any other
articles you have authored on pilot training and aviation
safety standards?
The United States traveling public deserve the highest integrity
and objectivity when NTSB determines an accident's probably cause and
then issues safety judgments and recommendations. We plan to continue
to hold NTSB accountable for delivering on this responsibility. We look
forward to hearing from you and receiving answers to our questions in a
timely manner.
Sincerely,
Charles E. Schumer,
United States Senator.
Richard Blumenthal,
United States Senator.
Cory A. Booker,
United States Senator.
Tammy Duckworth,
United States Senator.
Margaret Wood Hassan,
United States Senator.
Kirsten Gillibrand,
United States Senator.
______
October 30, 2017
Hon. Tammy Duckworth,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Duckworth:
Thank you for your letter dated October 25, 2017, regarding my
pending nomination to serve on the National Transportation Safety Board
(NTSB).
This appointment is a responsibility that I will faithfully execute
to the best of my abilities and, if confirmed by the United States
Senate, will uphold the Board's longstanding objectivity and
thoroughness with respect to accident investigations.
With respect to aviation safety, I have always relied solely on a
review of the facts and data analysis in my decision-making process,
which has helped in the formulation and implementation of safety
programs intended to educate and train general aviation pilots to
reduce or eliminate accidents.
My past writings with respect to the Airline Safety Act are based
solely on facts as outlined by the NTSB's accident investigation
findings. The captain's poor airmanship, the crew's distraction,
complacency, fatigue, and failure caused that tragedy. Significant
management failures in Colgan training programs and FAA oversight were
also prominently cited. The failure to identify the captain's ongoing
substandard performance, the lack of monitoring for procedural
compliance regarding sterile cockpit and distraction, training
inadequacies relative to the Q400s stall warning indications/recovery,
and others were cited by the NTSB.
Also, my ``non-issue'' comment was made in the context of specific
NTSB findings and recommendations in the Colgan accident final report,
which did not recommend any flight hour minimums for pilots. It was
never intended as a comment that pilots should not be fully qualified
and competent. All pilots must meet certification requirements to
ensure a high level of knowledge, skills, and professionalism.
My role at the NTSB would be to objectively analyze accident data
and review the facts and make recommendations accordingly. You have my
commitment to adhere to these principles.
Also, as you requested, here is the link, https://www.aopa.org/
news-and-media/all-news/2010/november/01/safety-pilot-(5), to a 2010
Column that appeared in Safety Pilot. In addition, following are links
to other aviation safety columns that I authored regarding this issue:
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2010/may/pilot/
safety-pilot-a-personal-and systemic-failure
https://blog.aopa.org/aopa/2012/11/14/not-exactly-the-intended-
destination/
https://www.aopa.org/news-and-media/all-news/2014/december/
pilot/landmark
In addition, the Air Safety Institute produced many online safety
courses, safety seminars, and publications during my tenure. These can
be seen at www.airsafety
institute.org and are open to the public.
My writings on accidents and aviation safety matters were derived
from NTSB accident reports and nearly 50 years as an active private
pilot, flight instructor, and other pilot certifications including an
Airline Transport Pilot (ATP) certificate.
I believe we share the belief that integrity and objectivity are
essential to the NTSB's function of ensuring the Nation's
transportation safety. A facts-based driven analysis is paramount in
the field of safety and accident prevention. I also fully expect the
Congress to hold NTSB Board members and staff fully accountable to
fulfill this critical mandate.
Sincerely,
Bruce Landsberg.
______
The Great Debate--June 19, 2009
Starting a trade war with ``Buy America''
By Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Diana Furchtgott-Roth, former chief economist at the U.S. Department of
Labor, is a senior fellow at the Hudson Institute. The views expressed
are her own.
When Congress inserted ``Buy America'' protectionist provisions
that required some goods (such as steel, cement, and textiles) financed
by the stimulus bill to be made in America, our government invited a
trade war with important economic partners. Now China and Canada are
imposing their own protectionist regulations, potentially destroying
well-paid American jobs in the export sector. Other countries may
follow suit.
This week China reported that the government now requires stimulus
projects to use domestic suppliers when possible, even though in
February it promised to treat foreign companies equally. The Chinese
$585 billion stimulus package has resulted in a World Bank growth
forecast of 7.2 percent for China this year, far above other
industrialized countries.
And on June 6 the delegates at the Federation of Canadian
Municipalities passed a resolution calling on ``local infrastructure
projects, including environmental projects such as water and wastewater
treatment projects, [to] procure goods and materials required for the
projects only from companies whose countries of origin do not impose
trade restrictions against goods and materials manufactured in
Canada.''
The tragic losers of ``Buy America'' are free trade agreements and
potential job growth in the American economy. Seductively, ``Buy
America'' promises workers they can have it all--cheap goods from
China, oil from Canada, as well as protection from global competition.
But real life just doesn't work that way. In reality, ``Buy America''
is shorthand for fewer jobs as other countries retaliate.
Many markets no longer have national boundaries but global reaches.
America sits at the center of global markets for technology, equipment
manufacturing, finance, banking, fashion, and advertising--to name but
a few. When international markets expand, America grows. When barriers
are erected to trade, jobs--and also wages--shrink.
Trade creates jobs not just through investments of foreign
companies at home, but also by increasing employment at exporting
firms. This effect, though less obvious, is far more significant.
That's why ``Buy America'' hurts employment.
Andrew Bernard, a professor at Dartmouth College, together with
economists Bradford Jensen and Peter Schott, find that firms that trade
goods employ over 40 percent of the American workforce. They conclude
that approximately 57 million American workers are employed by firms
that engage in international trade.
They analyze American imports and exports using customs documents
that accompany shipments of goods crossing the border, along with
reports of firms' employment. The resulting information provides the
most precise picture available of the employment effects of American
trade.
Back in February, Caterpiller spokesman Jim Dugan declared, ``Our
position is that, while `Buy American' may sound good, in fact we're
very concerned that if this stimulus legislation contains the `Buy
American' provision, other nations and regions of the world would
follow our lead and pass similar provisions.'' He was right.
Trade also benefits millions of families who cut their shopping
bills by buying low-cost imports. To take just one example, the amount
that Americans spend on clothing has declined by 21 percent in real
terms over the past 20 years, yet our closets are fuller than ever.
The benefits of free trade, such as increased employment, higher
economic growth, and lower prices, are often taken for granted. But the
disadvantages of free trade--such as the occasional instances of
shuttered plants and lost jobs where American firms are not as
efficient as international competitors--are all too visible.
Trillions of international dollars pass through America each year
not because we are isolated, but because we are the hub of the world.
Terrorists twice attacked the World Trade Center because the building
symbolized international trade. They destroyed a building and murdered
thousands of innocent Americans, but they failed to vanquish world
trade. Sadly, politicians who erect barriers to trade are hostile not
only to trade but to our country and to our jobs.
______
October 25, 2017, 4:00 AM EDT, Updated on October 25, 2017, 6:01 PM EDT
Under Trump, Made in America Is Losing Out to Russian Steel
By Margaret Newkirk and Joe Deaux
An oligarch-owned steel company is winning pipeline contracts, and
foreign steel imports are up 24 percent this year.
President Trump signed presidential memoranda on Jan. 24, 2017,
reviving the construction of two controversial oil pipelines including
Keystone XL, but said the projects would be subject to renegotiation.
PHOTOGRAPHER: NICHOLAS KAMM/AFP/GETTY IMAGES
Four days after his inauguration, Donald Trump signed a handful of
executive memos to advance the Keystone XL pipeline and revive the U.S.
steel industry. He invited builder TransCanada Corp. to reapply for a
permit denied by Barack Obama and ordered up fast-track rules forcing
not only Keystone but also all new U.S. pipelines to be made from
American steel. ``From now on, we're going to be making pipeline in the
United States,'' he said.
Made-in-America Keystone was a stunt. Most of its pipes had already
been manufactured, a fact the White House grudgingly admitted when it
exempted the project from any new Buy American rules a few months
later. While some of Keystone's pipes were made in the U.S., at least a
quarter of them came from a Russian steel company whose biggest
shareholder is an oligarch and Trump family friend. The company, Evraz
North America, supplied Keystone from its steel plants in Canada and
for years has lobbied in Washington against Trump-style protectionism.
Ten months after his Keystone event, Trump has yet to deliver on
his pledge to boost the fortunes of American steel. Two self-imposed
deadlines for trade action, one in June and one in July, have come and
gone. Meanwhile, the prospect of tariffs has led to a surge of cheap
foreign steel into the U.S., with imports rising 24 percent in 2017,
the fastest increase in years.
As Federal and congressional investigators probe Moscow's
interference in the 2016 U.S. election, Evraz North America shows that
Russians are also involved in pressing against one of Trump's main
campaign promises. The company is a wholly owned subsidiary of Evraz
Plc, Russia's second-largest steelmaker. It has two factories in the
U.S., in Colorado and Oregon, and four in western Canada, where it
produces steel and large-diameter steel pipe. The company's top
shareholder is Roman Abramovich, a billionaire who owns 31 percent of
Evraz's stock. In 2005 he was the first oligarch allowed to sell his
oil company to the state, taking in $13 billion in a deal approved by
Vladimir Putin.
Abramovich's ties to the Trumps stem from a decade-long friendship
between Ivanka Trump and Abramovich's wife, Dasha Zhukova, from whom he
announced a separation in August. Jared Kushner and his brother,
Joshua, invested in Zhukova's art collection business. The Russian
couple hosted Ivanka and Jared in Russia in 2014, when they shared a
table at a fundraiser for Moscow's Jewish museum. Zhukova went to the
2016 U.S. Open tennis tournament with Ivanka and attended Trump's
inauguration as Ivanka's guest.
From left, Ivanka Trump and Dasha Zhukova attend the U.S. Open
men's singles final on Sept. 11, 2016, in Queens, N.Y. PHOTOGRAPHER:
ELSA/GETTY IMAGES
Evraz won its share of the Keystone XL business in 2009 and hired a
Washington lobbyist named John Stinson the next year, according to
disclosures collected by Bloomberg Government and Open Secrets, a
nonprofit that tracks money in politics. Over the next seven years,
Stinson lobbied the House, Senate, U.S. Department of Commerce, and
Office of the U.S. Trade Representative, earning $2.2 million for
representing Evraz's interests. He fought Buy American language in
Federal spending bills for transportation, water infrastructure, and
defense, as well as in a bill specifically about Keystone in 2015--the
same year Obama denied its cross-border permit.
According to Federal disclosures, Evraz paid Stinson $100,000 in
the first half of 2017 to persuade Congress and the Commerce Department
to exclude its Canadian products from Trump's steel import crackdown.
Stinson declined to comment. Christian Messmacher, the company's vice
president for development, says its lobbying efforts are typical for
the industry. ``We, like all other North American companies, work to
provide public officials with our insights on issues that affect us and
our ability to provide good North American jobs,'' he says.
In late May, Evraz won a contract with liquefied natural gas
company Cheniere Energy Inc. to supply the steel pipe for a 200-mile
pipeline to bring natural gas from Oklahoma to the Gulf Coast. The
contract, worth an estimated $100 million, was expected to go to a
Florida-based company, Berg Steel Pipe Corp., according to the American
Line Pipe Producers Association. The association put out a press
release in June arguing that Evraz was undercutting U.S. companies. It
asked the Trump administration to act quickly on new rules and stop
``Russian-owned Evraz'' from ``aggressively'' seeking U.S. contracts
ahead of any new tariffs or quotas on imports.
The Cheniere contract shows how hard it is to differentiate between
foreign and U.S.-made steel. While losing out to Evraz cost Berg 216
jobs, or 42 percent of its workforce, company Vice President Jonathan
Kirkland told the Mobile, Ala., Press-Register in June, Berg makes
pipelines using steel from Germany and France. U.S. steel supplies
aren't reliable enough, Chief Executive Ingo Riemer told the U.S.
International Trade Commission last year.
In September, Commerce Secretary Wilbur Ross said the
administration will defer a decision to impose tariffs on foreign steel
so it can focus on tax reform. The industry is getting impatient. Steel
executives have been meeting with administration officials. More than
60 steelworkers met with members of Congress on Sept. 21 to tell them
of their growing frustration with the White House's delays. ``The
president makes his policy decisions based on what is best for the
American people,'' says White House Deputy Press Secretary Lindsay
Walters. ``Moreover, to place unrelated information about his
daughter's social engagement with the ex-wife of one of a company's
shareholders in a story about actual policy is incredibly irresponsible
and misleading.''
Given the promises Trump made in the campaign, there may be
political blowback if he doesn't deliver. Although the United
Steelworkers union endorsed Hillary Clinton, many of its members voted
for Trump, helping him to narrow victories in states across the
Midwest. ``Those workers absolutely won't forget if they are empty
promises,'' says Dan Simmons, president of Steelworkers Local 1899 in
Granite City, Ill. ``Like Elvis says, we want a little less talk and a
little more action.''
(Updates with comments from White House Deputy Press Secretary in
the 10th paragraph.)
______
October 30, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Senator Nelson,
The American Association for Justice (AAJ), the world's largest
trial bar, writes to you today to express our vehement opposition to
the nomination of Diana Furchtgott-Roth as Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation (DOT).
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth lacks the substantive experience to prepare her
for this role, a role which will become increasingly important as
driverless cars and other technological innovations advance at a rapid
pace on our Nation's roadways. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth is unequipped and
unqualified to lead DOT's regulatory efforts on research and
technology. Other than a few articles loosely related to
transportation, there is nothing in the public record to explain why
she is a suitable--much less the best--person to fill this post.
Beyond the fact that she lacks any relevant knowledge and
experience, it's important to note that this position will be at the
center of the debate on driverless cars, serving as the lead for the
DOT's entire driverless car regulatory program. This technology has the
potential to dramatically affect public safety, redefine our
transportation infrastructure and literally change our American way of
life. It is critical that DOT have a leader in this position with a
strong grasp of this technology and the potential benefits and dangers
it will bring. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth is not that leader.
AAJ believes that driverless cars have the potential to eventually
reduce accidents and provide for safer travel, but we do not believe
that will happen overnight. There will be a time between introduction
and full deployment when new driverless cars will share the roadways
with human drivers. There will be a need for strict, minimum safety
standards for all the various technologies these new vehicles will
utilize. The DOT needs to carefully and thoughtfully craft a regulatory
framework that will adequately govern the way driverless cars perform,
and ensure access to the courts when defective driverless cars
inevitably crash and cause injuries. To that end, the person
responsible for that program should have the necessary experience to
successfully and thoughtfully oversee driverless technologies and other
transportation innovations--experience that Ms. Furchtgott-Roth lacks.
Even more disturbing than her lack of substantive experience is her
repeated public questioning of the need for workplace rights and
protections for women, which informs her management style and decision-
making as a Federal official. She has routinely and categorically
discounted the importance of the civil justice system to provide
remedies for those who are harmed, and to serve as a deterrent for
corporate wrongdoing. She has commented that sexual harassment laws
breed ``employer overreaction,'' that no gender gap exists, and that it
is unnecessary to strengthen or improve the existing laws that serve to
provide a remedy for victimized women. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth even said
that ``differences in pay and position stemming from women's choices
are not a reason to pass more workplace pay discrimination regulations
such as the Paycheck Fairness Act.''
As an organization whose mission is to safeguard victims' rights
and strengthen the civil justice system, we firmly believe that these
kinds of beliefs have no place in public office or anywhere else. Once
the committee reviews her sordid history and lack of expertise, we are
confident you will conclude that she is unfit for this office and
reject her nomination.
Given Ms. Furchtgott-Roth's lack of topical transportation
experience and her harmful views on gender equity, we urge you to
oppose her confirmation.
Sincerely,
Linda A. Lipsen,
Chief Executive Officer,
American Association for Justice.
Senator Blunt. Senator Cruz.
STATEMENT OF HON. TED CRUZ,
U.S. SENATOR FROM TEXAS
Senator Cruz. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Good morning. Welcome to everyone testifying.
Congratulations on your nominations.
Let me start, Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, with a question, one
concerning the Department of Transportation's Office of
Positioning, Navigation and Timing and Spectrum Management,
which coordinates the development of departmental positions on
PNT spectrum and policy and is a program in the Office of the
Assistant Secretary.
As you may be aware, our Nation's global positioning
system, GPS, is used by a number of critical infrastructure and
other key resource sectors. In 2014, the Department of Homeland
Security publicly recognized that of the Nation's 16 critical
infrastructure sectors, 15 of them use GPS. Should GPS be
disrupted or even flicker for a few hours, the U.S. could
potentially see widespread failure of cellular and
telecommunications networks, disruption or failure of the power
grid, breakdown of our financial system, air traffic control-
related failures, which occurred on January 25, 2016 when GPS
had a 7-hour internal flicker, and first responder network
failures, which also occurred on January 25.
Do you have concerns about the vulnerabilities confronting
GPS, and do you see the need for a backup system?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I have not yet been in the Department,
so I have not looked precisely at this issue. But there is
certainly a great need to address issues of cybersecurity, and
I would hope that the research, should I be honored being
confirmed, would definitely inform that. Cybersecurity is a
priority. We have had many high-level hacks recently. I know
that even if the Internet goes down in my house, it is a
disaster with my six kids. They are clamoring to get it fixed.
And I would commit to working with you on this very important
issue.
Senator Cruz. Now, one potential solution. Since 2001, U.S.
Federal agencies and Presidential directives have warned of our
dependence on GPS and lack of a backup and have recommended
using eLORAN as a backup system and that the eLORAN signal is
1.3 million times stronger than GPS and said to be virtually
jam- and spook-proof. Given tight budgets, would you be willing
to work with Congress on a public-private partnership that
would stand up eLORAN or another suitable system as a backup
system to GPS?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I would definitely want to work with
you on that issue.
Senator Cruz. Let me shift to another topic.
Mr. Martinez, one of my top priorities in Congress is
regulatory reform, and it has been a significant priority for
the administration. One of the major areas of policy victories
in this new administration have been the advances we have been
making on reg reform. You will not be surprised to know that
many industries involved in trucking have contacted my office
expressing concerns about the implementation of the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration's electronic logging
device, or their ELD mandate, which the Obama administration
estimated would cost $2 billion to implement. In fact, I have
in my possession a letter that President Obama sent to John
Boehner on August 30, 2011 which confirms that the mandate is
estimated to cost $2 billion.
In light of the costs, do you believe that the FMCSA should
delay the implementation of the ELD mandate prior to December
18, 2017?
Mr. Martinez. Senator, first of all, I believe that
regulatory reform should be an ongoing process. My
understanding with regard to ELDs are that they are now legally
required and that there is a December deadline for
implementation with a phase-in, with an ultimate deadline of
December 2019.
If confirmed and in position, I would look forward to
working with industry and all stakeholders, safety advocates,
and particularly impacted sectors of commerce. I have heard
that this rule could cause serious hardship to some small
independent truckers, particularly those working in the
agricultural sector. So I would want to meet with those
involved in those areas who oppose the rule to learn more about
their concerns. The goal is not to cripple commerce. The goal
is to make our roadways safer. That is our mission, and
everything that we approach this with is through that lens of
safety. So it would be my intention, if confirmed, to first and
foremost abide by the law but also to have an open door policy
and work with all the impacted stakeholders.
Senator Cruz. Very good. I look forward to working with you
on that issue and working to mitigate the cost to small
businesses and agriculture in particular.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Blumenthal.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thanks, Mr. Chairman.
Thank you all for being here and your willingness to serve.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, I am told--I have not seen it, but I
am told that in 2015 you wrote that, ``unwanted touching is not
sexual assault in a piece arguing that rape and sexual assault
on campus is over-reported.'' Is that correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. That is correct.
Senator Blumenthal. Do you continue to believe that
unwanted touching is not sexual assault?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. For example, if I touch Mr.
Westmoreland like this, he might not want me to touch him, but
that is not the same as sexual assault.
Senator Blumenthal. OK. So unwanted touching, as in
touching a part of your body that is private, is not sexual
assault?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. That definitely could be sexual
assault. Definitely, yes.
Senator Blumenthal. It could be but not always?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Touching a part of the body that is
private in an unwanted fashion is sexual assault.
Senator Blumenthal. Is sexual assault on campus over-
reported?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, this issue does not pertain to
the Assistant Secretary for Research in Transportation.
But I just want to say that the data from the Department of
Justice is very different from the commonly used data that 25
percent of young women are going to be raped on campus. It is a
tragedy when anyone is sexually assaulted, but the Department
of Justice data show 3 percent rather than 25 percent and that
was the purpose of writing my article. But it is definitely
something that we need to be addressing. We need to be
protecting young women on campuses.
Senator Blumenthal. It is, but you continue to believe that
sexual assault on campus is over-reported.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Not by the Department of Justice. It
is not over-reported by the Department of Justice.
Senator Blumenthal. Who is over-reporting it?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. The common statistic that 25 percent
of young women on campus are going to be raped at college is
over-reported. That is an exaggerated statistic that does not
meet the Department of Justice statistical standards.
Senator Blumenthal. Not all sexual assault, though, is
rape.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. That is correct, yes.
Senator Blumenthal. It can be unwanted touching.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Correct.
Senator Blumenthal. And can you give us some examples of
how unwanted touching might not be sexual assault?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes. For example, if I touch Mr.
Westmoreland like this. This is not sexual assault, but it
could be unwanted touching.
Senator Blumenthal. And what is the line?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. It is difficult to draw the line. It
does not have anything to do with transportation research.
Senator Blumenthal. It has nothing to do with
transportation research per se, but your statement, unwanted
touching is not sexual assault, is a pretty blanket statement
that indicates to me some lack of precision in an area
demanding both sensitivity and precision. Correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Sensitivity is extremely important and
precision is also extremely important.
Senator Blumenthal. And in many transportation issues?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes, Senator.
Senator Blumenthal. You come to this job with relatively
little background in transportation or safety, if any, issues
pertaining to transportation. I recognize you have a lot of
background and training in economics but none in the area that
you have been assigned to oversee in the position for which you
have been nominated. Correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I have overseen a very broad range of
research since 2001 as Chief of Staff----
Senator Blumenthal. Any relating to transportation?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. There was transportation at the
Council of Economic Advisors, and I have also written papers on
transportation. I am familiar with many of the issues. I was
speaking to Professor Kornhauser at Princeton on Sunday about
his concerns about autonomous vehicles.
Senator Blumenthal. But you have had some conversations
about it.
Let me ask you. Just a few months ago, you wrote that the
wage gap is, to quote you, a myth. You wrote, quote,
legislation to close the gender wage gap is misguided. In
reality there is no gap to close. I think there is a lot of
information, in fact, that a wage gap exists in a high
percentage of occupations and likely in transportation. Do you
agree?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. There is a wage gap I believe in equal
pay for equal work. That is the law of the land, and there are
many laws that enforce that and I support the enforcement of
those laws.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Blumenthal. Well, you have not answered my
question. I just want the record to reflect that you have not
answered my question.
My time has expired, Mr. Chairman, but the fact is that you
have contended factually there is no wage gap. Yes, there are
laws that forbid discrimination, but you have denied that there
is a wage gap. Correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. There is an overall aggregate wage
gap, but when experience, time in the workforce, and profession
are taken into account, it is a standard result in labor
economics that the wage gap is diminished. It still exists but
it is not the traditional 77 cents on the dollar. Professor
June O'Neill, Professor Marianne Bertrand, and other professors
all come to the same conclusion.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Cortez Masto.
There will be time for a second round of questions, if
anyone wants to stay for that.
STATEMENT OF HON. CATHERINE CORTEZ MASTO,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you, I appreciate that, Mr.
Chair.
Welcome. Thank you all to the nominees and your willingness
to serve. Welcome to your families, if they are here as well.
I apologize. I had another committee hearing, so I could
not be here for your statements. But thank you for the written
statements. They are very, very helpful.
Mr. Westmoreland, let me start with you. I am from Nevada
and parts of Nevada are very rural. And I was just recently
during the August break in some of our rural communities, one
of them being Elko, and had a chance to visit with our local
leaders there who really reiterated to me their fear over the
administration's efforts to cut funding to the California
Zephyr line service that stops in Elko, Winnemucca, and Reno,
Nevada where we have an average of 84,000 Nevada riders there.
Do you support the President's Fiscal Year 2018 budget,
especially the transportation aspects of it?
Mr. Westmoreland. Ma'am, I have not seen the President's
budget but let me address the rural lines.
Rail is very important to our rural communities across this
country. I do think that there is a time to look at the cost of
some of these rural routes and what the percentage is of
supplement over what the cost of the ticket is. And I think
that needs to be considered. I believe that the government and
Congress and this administration has the right or the necessity
to fund our rail system, but I do think that as a member of the
Board of Directors of Amtrak, that we need to do our due
diligence to find out what we can do to bring down some of
those subsidies that go to some of these rural lines. But I
hope that every person in America could have access to train
service.
Senator Cortez Masto. And I get the challenge that you are
going to have. I would like a commitment, though, because there
are so many parts of rural communities not just in Nevada but
all across this country, as you well know. And they are
challenged. They are challenged for transportation to get
around and transportation to get to services that they need
whether they be doctors or any other type of service. So I
would hope I can get at least a commitment that you would be
willing to work with me on--and I am sure you have heard from
some of my other colleagues on rural rail service and how we
still bring that service to our rural communities because that
sometimes is the only transportation they have to get to
services they need outside of their communities.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, Senator, I would be willing to work
with you on that. And if anybody really wants to see this
country and see the rural side of it, take a train ride across
the country and you will see a lot of the rural nature.
Senator Cortez Masto. That is right. Thank you. I
appreciate that.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, in June 2009, you penned, it looks
like, a Reuters op-ed and you highlighted a position of
transitioning gasoline taxes to a form of vehicle miles
traveled system to fund our roads.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Cortez Masto. Will you be asserting that position
in your role if you are to become the Assistant Secretary of
Transportation?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. My role would just be to oversee
research that would inform policymakers. It would not have
anything to do with transitioning to different forms of highway
financing. We have projects such as at the University of Nevada
in Reno looking at columns with high-strength steel and
investigation and design implications of seismic response to
span bridge systems. So we commission different kinds of
reports and then those are used to inform policy. The actual
decisions to policy is up to----
Senator Cortez Masto. Thank you. It sounds like you have
done your homework.
One of the things that you may not know, though, and one of
my concerns and that I have heard from this administration is
getting the private sector involved in rebuilding Nevada's
infrastructure. Although I think there always should be a
public-private partnership, I am concerned about that private
partnership taking over infrastructure in many communities
across the country. And quite honestly, in Nevada there is no
incentive. In Nevada, it is against the law to have toll roads.
In Nevada, it is against the law to have fees on some of our
roads. And so I am curious if you are going to play a role in
the incentivizing or bringing in that private sector to invest
in our transportation infrastructure across the country.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. No. That is not the role of the
Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
Senator Cortez Masto. OK. Thank you. I appreciate that.
And I know my time is running out. So, gentlemen, I have
other questions for you, but I will submit those on the record.
Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Senator, if you want to stay, there will be
a second round opportunity here.
Senator Booker has not taken his first round yet in
deference to getting everybody else's questions asked. That was
deeply appreciated by Members who have had to come and go, and
it is time for some of your questions, Senator.
Senator Booker. Thank you very much, Mr. Chairman.
I just want to again echo what everybody is saying. Thank
you all for putting yourself forward to serve your country. It
is really something that is very grateful.
Mr. Martinez, Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, I really appreciate that
both of you are speaking boldly with New Jersey accents.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. So real quick, I am going to try to go as
quickly as I can to mercifully maybe not to have a second
round. So forgive me if I am abrupt or cutting anybody off.
But just real quickly, Congressman Westmoreland, I am glad
that you and I finally get to talk. I am sick of sitting next
to this man, my Chairman, and having him tell me all the good
things about you.
But just real quickly, if we were running our country like
America, Inc., which we are not, or running like a board of
directors looking for the biggest return, of all the
transportation dollars you can spend, a dollar spent on the
Gateway Program is probably one of the best in terms of returns
for economic growth in a region that sends so much more money
to Washington than it gets back. Just about every dollar
invested in the Gateway Program produces about $4 in expansion
and economic growth.
Do you agree that the Gateway Program is critical and needs
to be built?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir. In fact, in my recent study of
the Gateway project, I am amazed at the infrastructure, some of
it dating back to the Civil War on some of the tunnels and some
of the infrastructure that is there. And it has been quite
amazing to me. In fact, I think that Amtrak, as I have
expressed, would do a good job of going around and making sure
that Members of Congress on both the Senate and the House
understand what that Northeast Corridor does.
Senator Booker. Sir, I am going to cut you off. If you
continue talking like that, Chris Christie and I will make you
an honorary New Jerseyan.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. Thank you for that answer. That is all I
wanted to do.
Mr. Westmoreland. I know I do not have a Jersey accent.
Senator Booker. It sounds very Jersey to me right now. Keep
talking the way you are talking.
So these are some additional rail priorities. Do you
support increased funding for Amtrak, including Federal support
for distance passenger rail services?
Mr. Westmoreland. Sir, I do support the funding for Amtrak
and making sure that we have a rail system that serves the
entirety of this country. I do think some of these long
distance routes need to be looked at to make sure they are the
best economic policies that we have, and I am sure that Mr.
Moreland and Mr. Anderson are working hard towards that. They
brought down the debt. They are bringing up the revenue. They
are increasing the passengers.
Senator Booker. I am going to stop you there. You are
saying all the right things, sir.
I am going to try to catch you on this one. He and I both
agree on the importance of positive train control, getting that
implemented. Is that something that is a priority for you, sir?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, it is. And that is one of the
reasons that I think I could help the Board. In my experience
as Subcommittee Chair of Cybersecurity on the House Intel
Committee, when you start doing cyber stuff to control trains,
there is a big worry there for me, and we need to make sure
that that system is safe.
Senator Booker. I am going to only get through one more
line of questioning for Mr. Martinez. I want to be deferential
to Chairman Thune, one of the few Senators who can bench press
more than I can.
Real quickly, a speed round for you, sir. Mr. Martinez,
where are you from, sir?
Mr. Martinez. Port Monmouth, New Jersey.
Senator Booker. What state? I am sorry.
Mr. Martinez. Port Monmouth, New Jersey.
Senator Booker. Thank you very much.
Do you believe that fatigue is a serious safety issue that
should be addressed?
Mr. Martinez. No question about it, Senator.
Senator Booker. And that is a priority for you to address
the fatigue issue?
Mr. Martinez. Absolutely. It is critical.
Senator Booker. Thank you very much.
The electronic logging issue came up with Senator Cruz. You
said you would support electronic logging devices. Why is that
important, sir?
Mr. Martinez. What we have experienced in the past was it
was paper-based, which means that it was very susceptible to
fraudulent entries and altered entries.
Senator Booker. Thank you very much.
Do you support requiring automatic braking systems to help
mitigate crashes?
Mr. Martinez. I believe we should look at all technologies
that would help safety.
Senator Booker. What about speed limiters on trucks?
Mr. Martinez. I think that we have to look at the cost-
benefit analysis on that, but I am willing to look at all
opinions on it.
Senator Booker. OK. Minimum insurance has not been changed
for 30 years. I know in the State of New Jersey, these massive
accidents happen, and folks just do not have the insurance to
cover all of it.
In response to pre-hearing questions, you indicated that
more data may be necessary to make a determination about
raising minimum insurance levels. What further data is
important for you? I am pretty much convinced it just seems
common sense. Can you just let me know where you stand on that?
Mr. Martinez. That 30-year number certainly raises my
eyebrows, but I would really need--it comes down to an economic
question as well. I would like to get more information with
regard to the cost of those crashes and whether that is
sufficient.
Senator Booker. I will not press you on that because my
time is about to be out. But I really hope you will look at the
data.
And just to finish my line of questions so you do not have
to deal with me again, in response to pre-hearing questions,
you said you support making improvements to FMCSA's assessment
of safety performance of motor carriers and the identification
of high-risk carriers. What sort of data and metrics do you
think are necessary there, sir?
Mr. Martinez. I believe that we have to be a data-driven
organization. We only have 1,100--and I say ``we.'' If I am
fortunate enough to be confirmed and join the FMCSA, we rely on
13,000 partners in the State level who are also stretched. We
have to be focused in our efforts, and we need data to do that,
appropriate data to do that.
Senator Booker. Thank you, sir. And repeat for the record
one more time what state are you from, sir?
Mr. Martinez. New Jersey, sir.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Chairman Thune.
STATEMENT OF HON. JOHN THUNE,
U.S. SENATOR FROM SOUTH DAKOTA
The Chairman. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I do want to thank all of our panelists here today. You are
up for some important positions. Congressman Westmoreland,
welcome back. Nice to have you here. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, Mr.
Landsberg, and Mr. Martinez, for your willingness to serve or
in some cases continue to serve our Nation.
And thank you, Senator Blunt, for chairing the hearing
today.
The Committee once again has a group of very well-qualified
nominees that have been selected to fill critical positions in
the Federal Government. If confirmed, each of you is going to
have an opportunity to bring considerable leadership and
expertise to your respective positions and to move our Nation
forward. We have been, on this Committee, active on a wide
range of transportation-related legislation and oversight. And
so I wanted to follow up with just a few priorities of mine,
and I will start with Mr. Martinez.
Pursuant to the FAST Act, FMCSA is working to update the
compliance, safety, and accountability, or CSA, program to
ensure the scores assigned to motor carriers are more reliable
and reflective of actual risk. In your experience with data
management, including as the head of New Jersey's Motor Vehicle
Commission and as New York's Commissioner of Motor Vehicles,
how best can we utilize and apply reliable data to improve
motor carrier safety?
Mr. Martinez. First of all, I agree with the overall thrust
of this program. The safety data needs to be verifiable and
supportable, and we need to be using sound science. The key
thing here is whether the data used to compile the assessments
is accurate, reliable, and fair, in short, sound science. If
the data is unreliable, we lose credibility, and we lose
credibility with our stakeholders. We lose credibility with the
entities that we regulate. And I think we do a disservice to
the public.
If confirmed, it would be my intention to review the recent
findings of the National Academy of Sciences' report on the CSA
program and make appropriate changes as recommended to evaluate
how best we can move forward.
There is also an effort beyond compliance. That is, we
should be setting a very high standard that companies should be
aspiring to, whether it is mandated or incentivized. So that is
the type of environment that we should be setting forth in this
country.
The Chairman. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, as you know, the FAST
Act sought to address a data gap in the movement of goods into
and out of our ports and how those flows connect with the rest
of the transportation system. Specifically, the FAST Act
required development of a port performance freight statistics
program to be informed by a working group composed of the key
stakeholders to provide recommendations on the data
measurements used in the metric development process.
Going forward, do you commit to working closely with the
working group and across the Department to report robust,
nationally consistent data and metrics that adequately gauge
the efficiency and productivity of our ports providing a better
understanding of our overall transportation network?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
The Chairman. Good. That was easy.
So this is for Mr. Landsberg. The NTSB plays an important
role in investigating transportation accidents and promoting
safety. The last authorization of the NTSB was enacted over 10
years ago, and I think it is time for this Committee to look at
reauthorizing the agency, modernizing its investigative tools,
and increasing transparency as we promote a risk-based, data-
driven approach to safety recommendations. So I look forward to
collaborating with my colleagues on this committee in
considering some of those reauthorization ideas.
Do I have your commitment to work closely with this
Committee in the development of this proposal and to offer the
Board's expertise as we evaluate potential improvements to
existing NTSB authorities?
Mr. Landsberg. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
The Chairman. And I have got a little bit of time left. So
I would like to have perhaps Mr. Landsberg, if you could
elaborate a little bit. I think perhaps this question or
discussion came up earlier. Is there anything else that you
feel it is important to get out and talk about with regard to
your views on the 1,500 hour flight hour requirement? I
understand that came up earlier and that you did not get an
opportunity to give a full answer. So I would like to ask you
that question directly.
Mr. Landsberg. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I believe in performance-based regulation as opposed to an
arbitrary one-size-fits-all rule. And in the case of the Colgan
3407 accident, which was the genesis of all of this, 4,000
hours was not enough for the captain of that aircraft to
perform satisfactorily.
We have pilots coming from many different backgrounds. The
military can train pilots in 300 to 500 hours in very high
performance aircraft with great success. They should be given
some consideration for that.
The feed mechanism for pilots, as I said, many different
sources, and just as doctors, civil engineers, and attorneys do
not all go to Harvard Law School, they all have to go through
the same certification process in order to get their
certificates.
So I do not want this to be construed as I am not in favor
of high standards. I am. But I think it becomes--no degradation
of safety. That is my litmus test that people can meet the
performance requirements as opposed to just saying, well, you
have to have 1,500 hours no matter what.
The Chairman. Mr. Chairman, thank you. Thank you all very
much.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Chairman.
Senator Markey.
STATEMENT OF HON. EDWARD MARKEY,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MASSACHUSETTS
Senator Markey. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, very much.
Congressman Westmoreland, in March, a public works official
was killed when his snowplow was struck by an Amtrak train at a
rail crossing in Long Meadow, Massachusetts. This tragic event
marks the fifth death and the seventh collision at that
location since 1975, making the crossing the deadliest in
Massachusetts.
Fortunately, the State and local governments are seeking to
implement safety improvements at the crossing and have already
secured over $700,000 in Federal assistance. But to implement
these safety features, Amtrak, the owner of the rail line, must
first confirm that the crossing is public, approve a design,
and construction plan, and may need to contribute a portion of
the cost.
So today I sent a letter with Senator Warren and
Congressman Richie Neal from western Massachusetts calling on
Amtrak to help to address this matter.
Congressman Westmoreland, if confirmed, how will you
address these types of safety issues where the local community
wants to have action taken?
Mr. Westmoreland. Thank you, Senator.
I know that Amtrak has been working with your State and
local officials and trying to bring some resolution of that
particular crossing. Crossings are a situation where some of
them are private, some of them are public. And the funding of
it has always been, I guess, a confusing issue of who is going
to pay for it. But I will make a commitment with you to work
with you on that.
We also need to look at trespassing across railroad
property that has led to a lot of deaths also. But safety is
the biggest concern I think any of us can have with any mode of
our transportation.
Senator Markey. Again, I agree with you. Safety is at the
core of Amtrak's mission, and I think it is absolutely
imperative that we ensure that this issue and issues like it
get addressed as quickly as possible.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir.
Senator Markey. On Amtrak funding, a long distance rail
line runs through the heart of Massachusetts connecting Boston,
Worcester, Framingham, and Pittsfield and providing my
constituents with high-quality rail access to major
destinations including Chicago and Cleveland.
Regrettably, the Trump administration's budget request
proposed slashing over $600 million of funding for these
critical long distance routes. Do you support these types of
cuts, Congressman Westmoreland?
Mr. Westmoreland. Well, Senator, I have been around here
for a while, and I have never known a President's budget to
pass as submitted. And I am sure with just the concern that I
have seen from this Committee and I know the concern of some on
the House Transportation Committee, I doubt that that number
will be zero.
What I do agree with the President on is that these routes
do need to be looked at, and they need to make sure that we are
doing everything economically possible to make these routes
more pay for themselves. And so I am all for the funding to
make this because we do have to have an entire railroad system
that serves this country. But at the same time, we owe it to
our taxpayers to make sure that we are doing these routes as
economically as possible.
Senator Markey. Well, a cut of $600 million in funding
actually would make the problem worse. I know that
Congresswoman Cortez Masto agrees with me on this, that it is
just something that takes us in the wrong direction, and it is
something that we are going to fight for to make sure that
there is full funding in the years ahead.
And I have one minute left. I would like to ask you, Mr.
Martinez, a question, which is that businesses and consumers
should have the right to know the safety records of truck
companies when selecting which company to use and to help
Americans make better, safer selections to government used to
make the safety scores of truck companies available to the
public.
Regrettably, a provision in the FAST Act hid these safety
scores from public view. I am concerned that businesses and
consumers will find it difficult, if not impossible, to
identify safe truck companies without the public display of
those safety scores. And I am also concerned that truck
companies will have little incentive to improve their safety
records if the scores are not made public.
Mr. Martinez, how will you ensure that full safety scores
will again one day be made publicly available?
Mr. Martinez. Senator, thank you for that question.
I am an advocate for transparency. Certainly on the State
level where I have specific oversight over school buses, we
have a report card that we do where we are transparent with
regard to the reports of our inspections. But the data does
have to be accurate in order to be effective for the consumer
to use and also to be fair for the industries that are
regulated.
I look forward, if confirmed, to working with the FMCSA
staff to see what they have, what they are working on and
working with your staff to see how best we can achieve the goal
of transparency and reporting.
Senator Markey. Yes. It is absolutely imperative that these
safety scores are made available. Then the public can decide.
And ultimately that is really the way the marketplace should
work. The public sees a company is not doing their job. Then
they can just move over to another company. So transparency is
key.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator Markey.
Senator Baldwin.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN
Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I will be focusing my questions on a topic that my
colleagues on this Committee have heard me discuss multiple
times before: domestic content preferences, commonly called Buy
America.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, in 2009, you wrote that Buy America
preferences in the stimulus bill would invite a trade war.
Thankfully, we can say that this trade war did not come to
pass. In fact, a recent GAO report that I requested found that
the U.S. procurement market is the most open in the world,
offering more access than the next five largest partners
combined.
I am curious to know if you still believe that enforcing or
strengthening our Nation's Buy America rules will invite a
trade war?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, first, this is not within the
purview of the Assistant Secretary for Research. And you know,
data have shown that what I wrote was not correct. So no. The
answer is no, it would not invite a trade war. When the data
change, I change my mind.
Senator Baldwin. OK. So I want to get into a little bit
more specifics on this. President Trump has frequently said
that he supports Buy America policies, issuing a Buy America
executive order and promising an infrastructure plan for
Congress that will be guided by a buy American and hire
American principle.
If confirmed, you will be working with Secretary Chao,
President Trump, and Congress on infrastructure legislation.
Yet, you have written that you strongly oppose Buy America
policies. Do you support Congress and the President working
together to strengthen Buy America policies in infrastructure
legislation? Yes or no?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Baldwin. What specific Buy America infrastructure
policies and reforms would you suggest for the President's
infrastructure plan?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I have not yet been at the Department,
and I have not seen an infrastructure plan. And so I do not
have any comments on what the infrastructure plan is right now
or how it could be improved.
Senator Baldwin. Well, let me give you a couple of examples
of pending legislation. Do you support my legislation to make
permanent a requirement that water infrastructure projects
should be made, when possible, with American iron and steel?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Baldwin. Do you support changing the definition of
``Buy America'' to increase the amount of American-made content
required to be considered Buy America, as Senator Stabenow's
Make It in America Act would do?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Baldwin. And do you support cracking down on
waivers that make it too easy for foreign companies to get
around Buy America requirements?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Baldwin. Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator Baldwin.
Senator Peters.
STATEMENT OF HON. GARY PETERS,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MICHIGAN
Senator Peters. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
And to each of our witnesses today, thank you for your
willingness to serve the American people in the capacity you
have been nominated for. I appreciate that.
Mr. Westmoreland, it has been more than 2 years since the
tragic Amtrak 188 derailment which the National Transportation
Safety Board found could have been entirely prevented if the
rail line was equipped with positive train control, as you
know. With the deadline approaching to fully implement positive
train control by December 31, 2018, I would just like to get
your thoughts on that, and will you commit to make sure that
Amtrak and other railroads meet their commitments under that
provision?
Mr. Westmoreland. Absolutely, sir. As I have stated before,
safety should be the number one priority of any of our modes of
transportation in this country.
The positive train control on the Amtrak lines is
implemented. We have that. There have been some problems with
some of the other rail lines about interconnectivity of this,
and they are working very hard to do it. Amtrak is doing their
part, and hopefully we will continue to work with these
partners to make sure that it is fully implemented by December
2018.
Senator Peters. If confirmed, I appreciate your focus on
this issue going forward.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir.
Senator Peters. Thank you.
Ms. Furchtgott, I was concerned with some of your past
remarks that you have made. Certainly I was concerned about
your Buy America comments in particular, and I appreciate
Senator Baldwin focusing her questioning on that issue because
it is incredibly important that we think about American workers
and American jobs first, and we always put American workers at
the head of the line.
But I was also concerned about some of your past remarks
about the state of the environment and the climate, where you
have continued to propagate climate denier arguments and you
have echoed criticisms of corporate average fuel economy
standards for automobiles even though those arguments have been
pretty routinely debunked.
If confirmed, you will be in charge of running a research
operation that must uphold the integrity, as well as the
impartiality of transportation statistical data. I helped
introduce the Scientific Integrity Act at the beginning of this
Congress with the Ranking Member of this Committee, Senator
Nelson, as well as 26 other Senators, due to our concern that
this administration could seek to suppress scientific findings
because the results may not fit their particular ideology or
their political agenda.
If confirmed, will you commit to ensuring that the
researchers working under your supervision will be allowed to
communicate their findings with the public, the press, and
Congress?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Peters. If confirmed, will you uphold the principle
of open communication of scientific findings and prevent the
suppression of scientific findings?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes. I have the utmost respect for Pat
Hu, head of the Bureau of Transportation Statistics, and Rolf
Schmitt, the Deputy Director of the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics. They do excellent studies which are routinely
published outside.
Senator Peters. Great.
I have also heard directly from engineers at American
automakers who believe that the best drivetrain for self-
driving cars will be electric. We are expecting a
transformation of the auto industry, as you know, with self-
driving vehicles, it will be revolutionary, that will likely
all be powered with electricity if the engineers have their
way. But that also means, if that is the case, we are going to
have some infrastructure challenges that could impede the
development of conventional electric vehicles. So I am hopeful
that one day we will be able to realize this potential. But I
want to know what role will the research arm of the Department
of Transportation play in helping our country enable the
development and the deployment of these technologies?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I would hope that should I be honored
being confirmed, I could work with you on specific research
projects in these areas. It is very important that research be
done on electric vehicles and autonomous vehicles, including
safety, in order to inform the policymaking process.
Senator Peters. So because as you mentioned, the incredible
safety advantages, we have to deploy them as quickly as
possible, and they are coming a whole lot quicker than I think
the American public realizes. That means the research needs to
be accelerated as well, and I hope that would be something you
would focus on.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Definitely, yes. Yes. There is
actually research on--the University of Michigan is a lead on
promoting safety, and there is a project at Washtenaw Community
College.
Senator Peters. Well, I appreciate you mentioning those two
great institutions from Michigan. Thank you. You have obviously
done your homework, ma'am. Thank you.
The President reportedly told a group of lawmakers in 2017
that public-private partnerships in infrastructure are, ``more
trouble than they are worth.'' And in 2014, you seemed to agree
by saying that ``public-private partnerships are no substitute
for serious transportation policy.'' However, I have heard you
praising them recently. Where are you on public-private
partnerships?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, there are different kinds of
public-private partnerships, how much the private sector is
involved, how much the public sector is involved. And it is not
really a matter of the Assistant Secretary for Research, and I
would support whatever Secretary Chao wanted to do with
private-public partnerships and give her whatever research she
needed.
Senator Peters. Thank you.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator.
We will start a second round of questions that will be
interrupted only if people come back who have not asked their
first round of questions yet.
Mr. Martinez, this Committee through the FAST Act has
really worked to try to focus reforming the regulatory process
where it would be more data-driven than it has been in the
past. Do you have any thoughts on how we could better use data
to determine whether a regulation was needed or whether a
regulation was working?
Mr. Martinez. It is critical for the efficient use of our
resources to use good data and to use good models and
approaches. And so everything that my fellow nominee has been
saying is music to my ears.
On the State level, we relied on gathering data from our
counties and we still do--crash data--because of the limited
resources that we have for enforcement and education to focus
where the problem is. And the same thing goes with regard to
the FMCSA that we look for problem operators and we would look
for problem drivers. And the only way we can get to that is
with using good data.
Senator Blunt. Well, what about the cumulative impact of
regulation generally? How do you analyze whether one regulation
is making it harder to comply with the other one? How do you
use data in that area?
Mr. Martinez. We do see that sometimes they bump up against
each other. What I would look forward to is working with my
colleagues at the DOT, should I be fortunate enough to join
them, and with members of your staff to see how we could
streamline that so that we could be more efficient and not have
that occur.
Senator Blunt. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, one issue that has not
come up today really is the port issue. A third of the economy
is tied to trade one way or another. I think as world food
demand increases dramatically over the next 25 years or so, the
inland ports become more important.
The Department really has not come up with effective ways
to evaluate either inland or other port traffic. Would you talk
about what we could do to get that information to where it is
more usable and more understandable as it relates to the rest
of transportation?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. There is an annual port performance
report, and I understand the Bureau of Transportation
Statistics is adding to it the time spent in ports. Should I
have the honor of being confirmed, I would hope I could work
with you on further adding to that particular port performance
report so that it can inform policymaking.
Senator Blunt. Well, I think it definitely needs to be
added to. I think the metrics are not what they need to be for
us to really use that or for the Department to use it or for
the affected ports to use it.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Exactly.
Senator Blunt. And I would suggest that was an important
area for you to look at how we can use our research and data
collection in a greater way.
Senator Booker.
Senator Booker. If there is nobody else that wants to ask a
second round, except with Senator Blumenthal, I will follow up
with a few more questions. But if you would allow for me to
defer to Senator Blumenthal.
Senator Blunt. Well, Senator Blumenthal, and as others come
back or stay, we will give them a chance also. But, Senator, go
ahead.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Congressman Westmoreland, I know you have been asked about
your votes against Amtrak funding. Maybe you can explain why
you opposed I think just about every Federal dollar going into
Amtrak?
Mr. Westmoreland. Well, I do not know that I opposed all
Amtrak funding because I did vote for the final passage of
these bills. What I did vote for was some amendments that would
hold Amtrak more accountable for the way they were spending
some of their money. And I think that is all of our
responsibility as this Congress is really an oversight of these
Federal agencies. I will say that if you look at some of those
votes, I was not by myself and how I voted with some of the
members on this Committee.
But, Senator Blumenthal, the one thing I realize is that we
have to fund Amtrak. And I think it is the Board of Directors'
responsibility to make sure that the things that we are funding
and the things the government is funding for Amtrak is the best
use of our tax dollars.
Senator Blumenthal. Why did you vote to cut funding for
Amtrak?
Mr. Westmoreland. Well, it was cut funding in certain
areas. Some of those areas were on long distance routes where
we were subsidizing the price of a ticket twice as much as the
ticket cost the passenger. And I do think in instances like
that I was accountable to my constituents, and I represented a
very conservative district in Georgia, to explain to them that
they were going to get on the train and go to Chicago or to New
York or to Washington, D.C., why in the world they were not
subsidizing their fare like they were subsidizing other fares.
Senator Blumenthal. Will you commit to support increases in
Amtrak funding?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir. In fact, I will declare right
now that when this infrastructure bill passes--and I do believe
we will have an infrastructure bill passed--I am going to do
everything I can to fight for the money to update the
infrastructure that we have on our rail system. I have been
appalled to look at some of the information we have of the age
and the condition of some of the rail----
Senator Blumenthal. You would oppose any attempts by the
President to cut Amtrak funding?
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir, I would.
Senator Blumenthal. And you would support efforts to
install positive train control throughout the system?
Mr. Westmoreland. Absolutely. In fact, Amtrak on the part
of the lines that they own--the PTO has been installed, and
they are working right now to make sure there is the
interconnectivity between the other lines and the other
railroads to make sure that we can complete this by the
December 18 date.
Senator Blumenthal. I want to ask you about a couple of
your positions just to give you an opportunity to explain them
in the event that they arise between now and the time of the
vote.
You fought vigorously against the Emmett Till Act, a bill
that provided Department of Justice resources necessary to
pursue prosecutions against anyone who might be lynched and
murdered during the civil rights era. You were one of two in
the House to oppose that bill.
You also opposed the Voting Rights Act.
Perhaps you can explain those two votes.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir. The Emmett Till vote was for
the FBI to go back and reopen investigations prior to 1970. I
thought the money could much better be spent on investigating
things that were happening right now. Hopefully, the people
that happened before 1970 could be handled accordingly, but I
did not see setting up a whole new unit just to hound those
cases that had been done prior to 1970.
As far as the Voting Rights Act, I come from a Southern
State, and I feel like that it has not been fair to us and the
progress that we have shown with our elections and our
abilities to hold fair elections. And what I was trying to do
in opposing the Voting Rights Act was to make sure that this
whole country was under a Voting Rights Act.
I also fought against the section 5 portion of it, which
the Supreme Court eventually overturned, because I thought some
of the things that were being inferred to southern states
happened in the 1968 election. A lot of things have changed
since the 1968 election. And you cannot use data from an
election that is 50 years old to make your assumption about
what the Voting Rights Act should be today.
Senator Blumenthal. Have you supported Confederate symbols?
Mr. Westmoreland. Have I supported them?
Senator Blumenthal. Yes, sir.
Mr. Westmoreland. In what way would I support them? I mean,
I think it is very proper that people can recognize their
heritage. My great grandfather joined the Confederacy when he
was 82 years old so he could go with his two sons. And so I do
respect the heritage that my family has had with the
Confederacy and that the honor they served in being part of the
state that made a decision. So I am proud of my heritage.
Senator Blumenthal. But you would not advocate for use of
Confederate symbols at any point on the routes of Amtrak?
Mr. Westmoreland. No. I do think that is in Amtrak's
purview. But I do not see that happening.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you.
Mr. Westmoreland. Yes, sir.
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Blunt. Thank you, Senator.
Senator Hassan.
STATEMENT OF HON. MAGGIE HASSAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEW HAMPSHIRE
Senator Hassan. Thank you very much, Mr. Chair.
And just briefly to Mr. Westmoreland, I will add my
concerns to those that I understand other Committee Members
have expressed. I am a longtime supporter of Amtrak. I have
been trying to work to get it into my state. So I am concerned
and just want the record to note my concern about your record
of voting to eliminate all Amtrak funding.
I did want to move on to Mr. Martinez. I wanted to thank
you, sir, for meeting with me in my office regarding your
confirmation. And I would like to address some of the issues we
discussed just to get them on the public record.
Could you describe, please, how you will work to ensure
that FMCSA works closely with State legislators and how states
can collaborate with FMCSA as you carry out the duties of this
role?
Mr. Martinez. Thank you, Senator. As you are aware, the
FMCSA works closely with our 13,000 State partners. As a former
Governor, you are well aware of that. And as a State
stakeholder right now, that is currently what I do. I act on
FMCSA's behalf to ensure that the citizens and motorists in New
Jersey are safe. I have an open door policy, and I believe it
is critical that we have a good working relationship.
Senator Hassan. Well, thank you. This may be a given but
just again for the record. Will you ensure for this Committee
that, if confirmed, safety will remain a top priority for this
agency?
Mr. Martinez. Everything that we do should be viewed
through the lens of safety.
Senator Hassan. Thank you.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, good morning.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Good morning.
Senator Hassan. Almost afternoon.
On the topic of sexual harassment in the workplace, you
have written that you do not support labeling behaviors such as
leering and making suggestive remarks as forms of sexual
harassment, even saying that, ``feminists who cry wolf with
regard to harassment and violence will eventually face a public
skeptical of any of their claims about violence.''
You further state that measures taken to prevent sexual
harassment that create a hostile work environment mean that,
``relationships between men and women in the workplace
inevitably suffer.'' And you suggest that it is prudent for
male employees in positions of authority to avoid interacting
with female colleagues in order to avoid claims of sexual
harassment.
These statements raise serious concerns about how you will
respond as a manager to any sexual harassment charges among
your employees. Given these statements, what assurances can you
provide us that you will properly address any accusations of
harassment?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Well, I would follow the law. And
there is an office of civil rights within the Department, and I
would fully support the office of civil rights.
Senator Hassan. And will you ensure a work environment that
is safe and productive for all employees regardless of gender?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Definitely, yes.
Senator Hassan. Well, thank you.
I would just note that when there are suggestions that male
supervisors should never meet with female subordinates alone,
it obviously puts those female subordinates at a career
disadvantage if they cannot have the same kind of one-on-one
relationship with their supervisors that men can. So you can
understand how that kind of statement and perspective concerns
a lot of us.
And to that end, without objection, I would like to submit
a statement of opposition to the nomination of Ms. Furchtgott-
Roth from the National Women's Law Center.
Senator Blunt. Without objection.
[The information referred to follows:]
National Women's Law Center Press Release
NWLC Expresses Deep Concern at Nomination of Diana Furchtgott-Roth to
Department of Transportation Assistant Secretary Position
Posted on October 27, 2017
(Washington, D.C.) On October 31, 2017, the Senate Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation is scheduled to hold its
confirmation hearing for Diana Furchtgott-Roth as Assistant Secretary
for Research and Technology at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The following is a statement by Emily Martin, General Counsel and
Vice President for Workplace Justice at the National Women's Law
Center:
``The National Women's Law Center has serious concerns about the
nomination of Diana Furchtgott-Roth to serve as Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology for the U.S. Department of Transportation.
Furchtgott-Roth routinely distorts data to argue against legal
protections for women's rights at work and elsewhere. Furchtgott-Roth
argues there is no gender wage gap and that it is unnecessary to
strengthen equal pay laws or improve enforcement of existing laws-
despite the undeniable fact that gender gaps appear in almost every
occupation even when correcting for factors such as education and
experience. She has asserted sexual harassment laws breed ``employer
overreaction,'' and implied that workplace sexual harassment is over-
reported, despite significant data indicating that the majority of
women who experience sexual harassment never make a formal complaint.
Top research positions in our government should be filled by public
servants who are committed to principled, rigorous analysis.
Unfortunately, Furchtgott-Roth's record shows she is far too ready to
offer up political ideology in place of this analytical work.''
Senator Hassan. Thank you, and I yield back my time.
Senator Blunt. Senator Cortez Masto or Senator Booker?
Senator Booker. I am going to make this brief. I just have
one line of questioning for Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I think you
pointed out that your child is going to college in which state?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. I have two children, two voters in New
Jersey, and they are both here in the audience.
Senator Booker. Thank you very much. Would the New Jersey
student please identify himself? Both of them. Thank you very
much for being here, gentlemen. You make fine choices with
where you get your education.
Mr. Landsberg, I apologize. I will have no questions for
you during this hearing. It does not mean I do not like you. It
is just that you have no New Jersey connection whatsoever.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Landsberg. I am sorry, sir. Well, I have friends in New
Jersey.
Senator Blunt. Maybe you do have some questions.
[Laughter.]
Mr. Landsberg. And some of the best air traffic control
occurs in New Jersey.
Senator Booker. I appreciate that prodigious pandering.
Thank you very much.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, thank you again. And I
know it has been a long afternoon, and this will be as briefly
as possible.
In your questionnaire to the Committee, you talked a lot
about rebuilding infrastructure, and I am really grateful for
that. I just want to drill down on just some specifics because
as somebody who was a former Mayor, I believe in public-private
partnerships, any way to get it done, get it built, get it
made. And I know you share that commitment and the role that
the private sector can play. In my city it helped us get the
first hotel built in 4 years. Finding public-private
partnerships helped us to build infrastructure, create jobs,
turn a city around that literally now we are growing in
population. So I know we share those values.
I do have some concern about infrastructure funding that is
in areas where there really is not a private sector potential
and the idea that in some areas where there is really no way
for the Department to recoup but still for rural areas, it is
still important that they get access to things like rail, for
example. You would agree with that. Right?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes.
Senator Booker. And as we contemplate massive
infrastructure spending efforts here, some of that is going to
have to be direct government funding. Do you agree with that?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes, yes. And in fact, one of the
research projects funded by the Assistant Secretary is at
Rutgers University dealing with mobility and these kinds of
issues.
Senator Booker. OK. Thank you for dropping Rutgers
University in there. It is always helpful with your answers.
And so President Trump has said we can put millions of
people to work rebuilding our infrastructure. Do you agree with
that, that infrastructure actually creates jobs as well?
Correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Definitely, yes, yes.
Senator Booker. And so there is a multiplier effect if we
are looking at economics, that if you put a dollar into
infrastructure, it can create--studies I have seen--and you
have probably looked at more of the research than I have. In
the Gateway Region, a dollar produces $4 in economic
development. I have seen studies that show a dollar invested in
infrastructure produces about $2 in returns.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. It produces returns that enables
people to get to their jobs. It enables more development in
that particular area. We can see it with airports when private
stores operate in airports like they do at a mall.
Senator Booker. Right. And that is why Republican President
Eisenhower did the National Highway Program with tremendous
Federal investments, to the tune of about a trillion dollars in
today's dollars. It has produced perhaps some of the greatest
economic growth on the planet earth. Correct?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Correct, yes.
Senator Booker. And it is problematic that we have gone
from the highest ranking infrastructure on the planet earth to
now most engineering associations, nationally, internationally,
rank us out of the top 10 in terms of crumbling, decaying
infrastructure.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. It is very, very troubling.
Senator Booker. I really appreciate your loyalty and
commitment to data.
I just want to give you a chance to elaborate on some of
the answers. And I just want to give you the chance on General
Schatz. He is not a general. Senator Schatz.
Senator Blunt. Are you going to tell him he is not a
general?
Senator Booker. I will definitely tell him. He does not
bench press more than I do.
[Laughter.]
Senator Booker. He asked questions about you, and you
responded that there were some new facts that changed your mind
on transportation funding. He was drilling down on that just
devolve it all to the states versus having direct Federal
spending. Can you just elaborate in response to his
questioning? I will just give you a little more space to do
that.
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Yes. Well, first of all, this is a
question for Congress to decide rather than for an Assistant
Secretary for Research.
I was trying to make a point that if states had more
flexibility with their highway trust funds, they could make the
dollars go further so that if they had more control over how
these funds were spent.
Senator Booker. OK.
But you understand that Congress' role is about how it is
done. Right?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. Definitely.
Senator Booker. I really appreciate you saying that.
And the last thing I want to say because I have read a lot
of your writing, and I think that you are one of those
academics who--and we were actually talking about this up here,
not that this has not been the most exciting hearing of my
life, but about just how you seem to want to follow the data,
data first, and then form opinions based on the data. And I
really appreciate you saying that for the record.
And I just want to say this. I got a lot of flags from
different labor groups. I am going to submit some of the labor
concerns for the record.
But you and I know about trends going on in the United
States' economy right now, and one of those is that in the
1960s, if you had a full-time job and you were paid minimum
wage. It is the equivalent of about making $20 an hour today.
So back then, if you were willing to work hard in America,
America worked for you. The problem is we have an economy--
because you and I both love technology and innovation, and I am
one of those people that has used this Committee to talk about
over-regulation and things like the drone industry. It was
crazy that in France, they were doing so much more with drones
before we would even issue permits for drones to do anything
more than film movies, which was outrageous to me. If the FAA
was around during the time of Orville and Wilbur Wright, we
might not have even gotten off the ground, for crying out loud.
But one thing that is happening in this world of increasing
technology is this changing the nature of work. And we have a
lot of folks out in America now that are working full-time jobs
finding extra shifts where they can, and they still find
themselves at or below the poverty line, having to rely on the
social safety net, food stamps, like people in my city, food
stamps. They rely on Medicaid. They rely on public housing. But
yet, they are working just as hard as those folks back in the
1960s, but the economy is not working for them.
And I have looked at data and analysis. And you have to
understand. You know me as a former mayor. We have some shared
history. I fought with brass knuckles to try to get the best
deal for my taxpayers, which meant that sometimes I had unions
out protesting in front of city hall protesting me. But I have
just looked at the data. And people who are a union janitor
versus a non-union janitor--in fact, the New York Times did a
great article. I wish I could be quoting the Washington Post--
excuse me. The Wall Street Journal might be more respected by
my colleague. But they did a great analysis of a janitor that
worked for Apple versus a Janitor that worked for Kodak. You
probably saw the article. And the data basically shows that
people that have union jobs, the same job, versus somebody that
does not tend to make a living wage versus a significant
lowering of income. Have you seen that data? Am I wrong in that
analysis?
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth. You are correct, yes.
Senator Booker. So that is why some of the things that the
language--and I will submit it for the record. But I really
respect you as an academic--that some of the language you have
said about unions in the past has been troubling to a lot of
people at least on this side of the dais. And I just want to
say that for the record.
But I am really encouraged by your willingness to look at
that. We in America have a real problem right now. Almost 50
percent--not all--the data shows, are working in jobs in
America that make $15 an hour or less. We have a situation
where in the baby boomer generation, by the time that baby
boomers were 30, 90 percent were making more money than their
parents. I am very sad that my generation, the X-geners, that
we see now that trend really declining sharply, that the data
shows that if you were born in 1980, by the time you are 30,
only 60 percent are doing better than their parents. And it is
getting worse because of the changing nature of work.
We can have a discussion because this is my belief is that
right now unions are the bulwark between the sliding of wages,
while we see the gains in this economy going increasingly
toward the highest wage workers. So I just want to say that to
you in this open hearing.
I am actually confident that you are one of those people I
can reach out to. We are going to have more conversations.
But I just want to say that my colleague here, the Chairman
of this Committee, has been incredibly respectful, run a good
hearing. I think I have now strained his patience, and I am
going to end my remarks. But I want to thank everyone here.
Senator Blunt. My patience continues, and thanks for your
comments.
Thanks to all of the people who have appeared today and to
your family for coming with you and to those others who are
here to support you.
Senator Booker has mentioned a couple of times questions
for the record. It is our hope that each of you will be before
the Committee for our markup decisions on really the next
hearing. So the record will remain open through Thursday,
November 2, for questions to be submitted. During this time,
Senators will be able to do that.
Upon the receipt of those questions, nominees need to
respond as quickly as possible, but no later than the close of
business on Monday, November 6. And if there are outstanding
questions, unlikely that you would be one of the nominees that
we would be able to move on at the next markup. But I think
that will not happen. We hope to move each of these nominees
quickly.
We are grateful that you are willing to serve, grateful for
the service that each of you have given in the past, and look
forward to your service in the future.
And with that, this hearing is concluded.
[Whereupon, at 12:10 p.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
American Trucking Associations
Arlington, VA, September 29, 2017
Hon. John Thune,
Chairman,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Hon. Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
United States Senate,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:
On behalf of the American Trucking Associations (ATA), I write to
express the associations' strong support for the nomination of Raymond
Martinez to be Administrator of the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA). Mr. Martinez has a strong understanding of the
trucking industry and exudes the kind of professionalism, integrity,
and focus on safety that FMCSA needs. We encourage the Committee to
support his nomination to this critical role.
ATA is the Nation's preeminent organization representing the
interests of the U.S. trucking industry, encompassing more than 30,000
companies and every type and class of motor carrier operation. Within
that role, ATA consistently advocates for the increased safety of our
Nation's roads and bridges as a top priority for the trucking industry.
In fact, ATA has determined that the industry invests at least $9.5
billion annually in safety. These investments include technologies on
the truck such as collision avoidance systems, electronic logging
devices for driver hours of service compliance, and video event
recorders. They also include driver safety training, driver safety
incentive pay, and compliance with safety regulations.
As FMCSA Administrator, Mr. Martinez would work directly with
legislators, law enforcement, and the industry to improve highway
safety for commercial motor vehicles. Given his extensive experience--
currently serving as the Chairman and Chief Administrator of the New
Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission, and previously as the Commissioner of
the New York State Department of Motor Vehicles--we are confident that
Mr. Martinez is prepared to work hand-in-glove with the trucking
industry to ensure the safety of our motoring public.
ATA looks forward to working closely with Mr. Martinez, FMCSA, and
the Committee on important highway safety issues, and asks that you
move ahead confidently with the approval of his nomination.
Sincerely,
Chris Spear,
President and CEO,
American Trucking Associations.
Cc: Members of the Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
______
November 2, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Thune,
I am writing in strong support of the nomination of Diana
Furtchgott-Roth to be Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
at the Department of Transportation. I have had the pleasure of getting
to know Diana through her work with the Shadow Open Market Committee,
which I became a member of early this year. She quickly caught my
attention with her unusually incisive questions and ability to shift
seamlessly between her roles as organizer, convener, and contributor to
the meetings. That motivated me to read some of her publications, which
I found to be well-reasoned and fair. Clearly her background working as
Chief of Staff for the Council of Economic Advisers and Chief Economist
for the Labor Department is excellent preparation for productively
managing the researchers at DOT. Both of those organizations also are
well known for the quality and impartiality of their research, and I am
sure she would bring those values to this job as well. In sum, I don't
think it would be possible to find a more suitable candidate for this
position.
Please feel free to contact me if I can be of further assistance in
this regard.
Sincerely,
Deborah Lucas,
Sloan Distinguished Professor of Finance Director,
MIT Golub Center for Finance and Policy.
______
The University of Michigan-Flint
Flint, MI, November 3, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Senator Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
RE: Letter of Support for Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Dear Senators Thune and Nelson:
I am writing this letter to express my strong support for Diana
Furchtgott-Roth who has been nominated for the position of Assistant
Secretary for Research and Technology at the Department of
Transportation. I have been familiar with Diana's research and writing
for almost 20 years, going back to the late 1990s when I read her 1998
book ``Women's Figures: An Illustrated Guide to the Economic Progress
of Women in America.'' At that time, I was very impressed with Diana's
well-research, detailed analysis of the economic progress of women in
America, which included many dozens of detailed tables, charts, graphs
and figures. I still have a copy of that book on my bookshelf, and
occasionally refer to it. Fortunately, there is an updated 2012 version
of Diana's book, and I was one of the reviewers of that updated version
for The American Enterprise Institute.
In addition to being affiliated with the University of Michigan for
more than 20 years, now as a full professor of economics at the Flint
campus, I have also been affiliated with The American Enterprise
Institute (AEI) for almost the last ten years, as an economist and
scholar. It was in my role as a scholar at AEI that I had the
opportunity in 2012 to review Diana's updated version of her book
``Women's Figures'' and was again impressed with her attention to
detail, and her graphical representation of economic data relating to
the economic progress of women in America.
Having spent much of the last nine years living in Washington,
D.C., I have had many occasions to meet Diana Furchtgott-Roth in
person, have attended several of Diana's speaking engagements, and have
read her many op-eds and articles. I also had the opportunity to spend
almost a week with Diana in Israel in 2015 at a conference sponsored by
The Friedberg Economics Institute, which invited both of us to be
speakers for an invitation-only conference for talented college
students.
Therefore, I am very familiar with Diana both on a professional and
personal basis over a period to time spanning several decades. As a
fellow economist, I would rate Diana's research and writing skills as
first-rate, and she is also a person of the highest level of
professional and personal integrity. If she is approved as Assistant
Secretary for Research and Technology at the Department of
Transportation, I am confident that Diana Furchtgott-Roth will serve
the public and the Department of Transportation as a very competent and
experienced researcher/economist, as a dedicated public servant, and as
a person of the highest integrity and character.
Sincerely,
Mark J. Perry, Ph.D.,
Professor of Economics and Finance,
University of Michigan-Flint.
______
University of California, Berkeley
Berkeley, CA, November 4, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Senator Thune,
I am writing in support of Diana Furchtgott-Roth's nomination to be
Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology at the Department of
Transportation.
As a Berkeley professor of social welfare and Co-editor-in-Chief of
the Oxford University Press Series on International Social Policy, I am
familiar with Ms. Furchtgott-Roth's accomplishments as a researcher and
policy scholar. In her work on a volume for our OUP series she
recruited a distinguished group of economists representing a refreshing
mix of progressive and conservative orientations. And, more generally,
I've been impressed by her thoughtful and bracing analyses of
statistics on sensitive topics such as sexual assault and gender wage
gaps. Ms Furchtgott-Roth is a policy analyst with a healthy
intellectual appreciation for diverse perspectives and fearless respect
for empirical evidence--qualities that are imminently suited for an
Assistant Secretary of Research and Technology.
Sincerely,
Neil Gilbert,
Chemin Professor of Social Welfare.
______
University of Maryland
November 6, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Senator Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:
It is my honor to write in support of the nomination of Diana
Furchtgott-Roth to be Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology
at the Department of Transportation.
I am a professor at the University of Maryland School of Public
Policy and a Senior Fellow at the Atlantic Council. I was a president,
vice president, and director of international conferences of the
Association for Public Policy Analysis and Management. I have also been
a senior scholar at both the Brookings Institution and the American
Enterprise Institute. In addition, I have taught law at New York
University, Georgetown University, and the College of William and Mary.
I have known Diana for more than twenty years, read many of her
publications, and attended many meetings where she presented. Many
would describe her as a conservative analyst. In fact, she would
probably do so herself. These days in Washington, that leads many on
the left to challenge an analyst's bona fides.
Invariably, I found Diana to be an exceptional scholar and gracious
colleague.
As the first director of the U.S. National Center on Child Abuse
and Neglect, I worked extensively on the issue of child sexual abuse.
That, in turn, led me to study sexual harassment, assault, and rape.
These are serious social problems finally gaining the attention they
require. Nevertheless, it is too easy to let sincere concern for
victims create an exaggerated view of the nature and extent of the
problem. While some may disagree with Diana's exact findings, I have no
doubt that her research and that of others has provided a needed note
of caution to the policy process.
The same is true of her work on income and earnings, of women in
particular, but of all Americans, in fact. It is too easy to
oversimplify the factors that lead to low incomes for women and
specific social groups. Her analysis, again firmly grounded in well-
accepted data, provides an important additional dimension for
understanding recent developments.
In my role as co-editor in chief of the Oxford University Press
(OUP) Handbook series on international social policy, I asked Diana to
the editor of the American section of one of the OUP volumes, Global
Trends in Income, Wealth, Consumption, and Well-Being. As editor of
that section she has assembled a first-rate group of authors that span
the ideological spectrum. They include: Karlyn Bowman, Richard
Burkhauser, Edward Conrad, Jeffrey Larrimore, Bruce Meyer, June
O'Neill, Emmanuel Saez, and John Weicher.
Diana also serves as the senior American reviewer for the European
papers being prepared for the OUP handbook by scholars under the
leadership of senior staff at the European Commission. Under OUP
auspices, she met in Paris with the European authors to help shape
their chapters and ensure that their analyses are as balanced as
possible. Even as she was making strong points about elements missing
or needing modification, she demonstrated an ability to lower the
anxiety and defensiveness of more junior scholars while pointing them
in a more productive direction.
In these contentious times, we need more researchers and public
servants like Diana, who understands the basis for differing opinions
and seeks to narrow them through honest, evidence-based analysis.
I would be happy to provide any additional information or material
that might be helpful.
Sincerely,
Douglas J. Besharov,
Professor, School of Public Policy,
University of Maryland.
______
Urban Institute
Washington, DC, November 7, 2017
Chairman John Thune,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Senator Bill Nelson,
Ranking Member,
Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
Dear Chairman Thune and Ranking Member Nelson:
I am writing to give my strong estsupport for the nomination of
Diana Furchtgott-Roth to be Assistant Secretary for Research and
Technology at the Department of Transportation. She is a prolific and
respected policy-oriented researcher.
I have known Ms. Furchtgott-Roth for over 20 years. Having worked
with her on research projects, I know that she takes a dispassionate
approach to data, one that is not influenced by ideology. Although we
sometimes approach public policy issues from different angles, we share
a mutual respect for the research that accurately captures the facts.
As a guest speaker in my class at American University, Ms. Furchtgott-
Roth provided an interesting, clear, and sound presentation and
analysis of economic data. She has served well in major and relevant
positions within the government, including chief economist at the U.S.
Department of Labor and Chief of Staff at the Council of Economic
Advisers. Her personal connections to the economic research community
will be valuable were she confirmed as Assistant Secretary. Finally, I
am confident in ability to manage resources effectively and work
collaboratively. I believe she will be highly successful in her new
role.
Please let me know if you need any further information.
Sincerely,
Robert I. Lerman,
Institute Fellow,
Emeritus Professor of Economics,
American University.
Research Fellow,
IZA (Bonn, Germany).
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger F. Wicker to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Question 1. Congressman Westmoreland, my colleagues, including
Senator Nelson, Senator Booker, and others worked hard to ensure that
passenger rail, including Amtrak, was authorized in the FAST Act.
Appropriators led by Senator Cochran funded the full Amtrak system--not
only the Northeast Corridor but state supported and long-distance
routes as well. When you were my colleague in the House, you voted
against funding for Amtrak in general and the long distance routes in
particular, on more than one occasion. Those long distance trains can
provide a vital transportation link and economic development
opportunities for rural areas including my state. Is that still your
position?
Answer. When I represented my district, my constituents expected me
to protect the taxpayers' interests. I used my vote to remind Amtrak
that Congress was watching, and expected careful stewardship of the
public investment in its system. One of the main roles of Congress is
oversight and one of the most efficient ways to demonstrate Congress'
close attention is through funding mechanisms. Amtrak got that message,
and the significant efficiency improvements that followed helped to
keep the national system viable. I think it is also important to note,
I supported the 2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final
version which reauthorized funding for Amtrak. I am very confident that
the current Amtrak leadership will continue to provide our communities
with the service they need, and I look forward to working with them to
help make that happen.
Question 2. My colleagues and I have worked with a host of partners
along the Gulf Coast to restore passenger rail service lost due to
Katrina. A big supporter and necessary partner of this effort has been
Amtrak. We cannot restore this vital service to Louisiana, Alabama,
Mississippi, and Florida without that strong partnership with Amtrak.
Are you going to be that partner?
Answer. I completely understand the interest the communities and
their leaders and elected representatives have taken in the service
restoration effort on the Gulf Coast. I have been impressed by the
ongoing activity, and I look forward to working with you and with them
to find a way forward as we explore all the available options for
service restoration.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Gulf Coast Rail Service. Congressman Westmoreland, as you know,
earlier this year the Gulf Coast Working Group issued its final report
on the restoration of Gulf Coast Rail Service, which provides a path to
restoring service. Restoration of rail service will help the region
meet its transportation needs and boost tourism and local economies.
Question 1. Do you commit to work towards restoring rail service to
the Gulf Coast?
Answer. I am very aware of the efforts the people of the Gulf Coast
and their leaders have invested in this service restoration effort, and
I looking forward to working with them and with you to explore the full
range of possible options for service restoration.
Question 2. Do you support continued Federal funding for long
distance lines, including the Auto Train, Silver Meteor, and Silver
Star, that run in Florida?
Answer. I believe Amtrak's national network has a vital role to
play, particularly in providing service to areas without transportation
alternatives, and I support it, provided it is run in a manner that
safeguards the taxpayers' interests. I would also note that I supported
the 2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final version which
reauthorized funding for Amtrak.
Question 3. At the hearing, you mentioned that you were concerned
about the cost effectiveness of long distance routes and would like to
evaluate the routes. What specifically do you want to evaluate and
which routes do you plan to evaluate? Under what, if any, circumstances
would you consider discontinuing long distance service?
Answer. I think that the system should be regularly evaluated to
ensure that it continues to deliver relevant transportation choices to
the communities it serves at an affordable cost to the taxpayer. This
is a complex question, but I have a lot of confidence in the ability of
the current management and the Amtrak Board to identify options for the
improvement of existing services.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Congressman Westmoreland, if there's one thing we don't need in
Washington state, it's more traffic. Over 1.2 million people use Amtrak
trains each year in our state, keeping a lot of cars off the road. The
Administration's budget proposed eliminating funding for long distance
routes which effect the two National Network trains that run through
Eastern Washington, potentially ending service for over 50,000 Amtrak
users in Spokane.
Question 1. In your questionnaire you stated that you have a
personal connection to Amtrak because you rode it from Atlanta to D.C.
as a junior Congressman. Given this appreciation for Amtrak important
mission, can you explain your reasoning for voting to defund Amtrak
while you were serving in the United States House of Representatives?
Answer. When I represented my district, my constituents expected me
to protect the taxpayers' interests. I used my vote to remind Amtrak
that Congress was watching, and expected careful stewardship of the
public investment in its system. One of the main roles of Congress is
oversight and one of the most efficient ways to demonstrate Congress'
close attention is through funding mechanisms. Amtrak got that message,
and the significant efficiency improvements that followed helped to
keep the national system viable. I think it is also important to note,
I supported the 2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final
version which reauthorized funding for Amtrak. I am very confident that
the current Amtrak leadership will continue to provide our communities
with the service they need, and I look forward to working with them to
help make that happen.
Question 2. As the Director of Amtrak, would you support the
administration's proposed budget cuts or would you be an effective
advocate for Amtrak within the Administration?
Answer. The Amtrak Board of Directors has significant fiduciary
responsibilities to the company, which carry the obligation to ensure
that they act in the best interests of the company. Last year, in its
2018 General and Legislative Annual Report, Amtrak reported to Congress
that the elimination of the long distance services would cost an
additional $423 million. That would be a significant financial problem
for Amtrak, and if confirmed, I would need to consult closely with the
rest of the Amtrak Board and Congress before coming to a conclusion.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Question 1. Do you agree that Amtrak is an important contributor to
the Nation's economy?
Answer. Yes, I believe Amtrak makes a very strong contribution to
the Nation's economy in every region it serves. In the Northeast, it
supports the Nation's economic powerhouse; in the South and West, it
provides towns and communities with few transportation choices and
connectivity to major urban centers. I supported the 2015 FAST Act and
voted for passage of the final version which reauthorized funding for
Amtrak.
Question 2. Do you agree that Amtrak is an important contributor to
the economy of your home state, Georgia?
Answer. I do. Amtrak provides the state with important scheduled
transportation connections it would otherwise lack. A U.S. DOT study a
few years back found that Georgia saw a 28 percent drop in bus service
coverage for rural residents between 2005 and 2010. That makes Amtrak
service that much more important to the rural parts of the state.
Amtrak does substantial business in Georgia, and it spent more than $56
million on procurement in the state in 2016, and it has a payroll of
nearly $7 million in the state.
Question 3. Did you vote in 2007 as a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to cut security funding
from Amtrak?
Answer. When I represented my district, my constituents expected me
to protect the taxpayers' interests. I used my vote to remind Amtrak
that Congress was watching, and expected careful stewardship of the
public investment in its system. One of the main roles of Congress is
oversight and one of the most efficient ways to demonstrate Congress'
close attention is through funding mechanisms. Amtrak got that message,
and the significant efficiency improvements that followed helped to
keep the national system viable. I think it is also important to note,
I supported the 2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final
version which reauthorized funding for Amtrak. I am very confident that
the current Amtrak leadership will continue to provide our communities
with the service they need, and I look forward to working with them to
help make that happen.
Question 4. Did you vote in 2010 as a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to cut funding from
Amtrak's capital and debt service grants by approximately $1.2 billion?
Answer. Yes.
Question 5. Did you vote in 2011 as a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to cut funding from
Amtrak's capital and debt service grants by approximately $446.9
million?
Answer. Yes, however, I was not a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2011.
Question 6. Did you vote in 2015 as a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to cut funding from
Amtrak's capital and debt service grants by approximately $850 million?
Answer. Yes, however, I was not a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2015.
Question 7. Did you vote in 2015 as a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee to cut funding from
Amtrak's operating grants by approximately $288 million?
Answer. Yes, however, I was not a member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee in 2015.
Question 8. Did you ever vote in favor any amendment as a member of
the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee that would
deauthorize Federal financial support for Amtrak?
Answer. When I represented my district, my constituents expected me
to protect the taxpayers' interests. I used my vote to remind Amtrak
that Congress was watching, and expected careful stewardship of the
public investment in its system.
Question 9. Do you stand by your votes in relation to Amtrak?
Answer. Yes, I do. When I represented my district, my constituents
expected me to protect the taxpayers' interests. I used my vote to
remind Amtrak that Congress was watching, and expected careful
stewardship of the public investment in its system. One of the main
roles of Congress is oversight and one of the most efficient ways to
demonstrate Congress' close attention is through funding mechanisms.
Amtrak got that message, and the significant efficiency improvements
that followed helped to keep the national system viable. I think it is
also important to note, I supported the 2015 FAST Act and voted for
passage of the final version which reauthorized funding for Amtrak. I
am very confident that the current Amtrak leadership will continue to
provide our communities with the service they need, and I look forward
to working with them to help make that happen.
Question 10. If you have changed your mind about these votes, what
led you to change your mind?
Answer. A member of Congress has the obligation to represent his
constituents, and I think I did that. As a Board member, however, I
would have a different set of obligations. Directors are expected to
act in the best interests of the company, which would lead me to take a
different position on Amtrak funding issues. I would note that I
supported the 2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final version
which reauthorized funding for Amtrak.
Question 11. It is promising in your questionnaire to this
committee that you have now voiced support for Amtrak and for high-
speed rail. Do you now support an increase in funding for Amtrak?
Answer. I would support increased funding for capital investment,
because I believe that Amtrak faces major infrastructure challenges
that must be addressed. I would stress, however, as we appropriate more
capital, it is important that the company also ensure that the
taxpayers receive the best possible value for their money with these
investments.
Question 12. What level of funding should Amtrak receive annually
from the Federal Government?
Answer. Amtrak should receive sufficient funding to meet its
statutory obligation to operate the national intercity passenger rail
system, and to address its growing infrastructure and fleet
recapitalization needs.
Question 13. How would you convince members of the Senate and House
that we need to increase investment in the network?
Answer. I believe the best argument for Amtrak is its current
financial success. If we can go to Senators and House members with a
demonstrated record of managerial excellence and successful operations
that serve the nation, those facts will make a very effective argument
of the value Amtrak brings to the taxpayers, and for the very
significant needs for capital investment to deal with the system's
capacity needs and state of good investment backlog.
Question 14. In response to the committee's questionnaire, you
state ``If Amtrak is to remain competitive, it must have options that
go beyond standard rail service.'' Do those options include high-speed
rail?
Answer. Yes, they do. The improvements that Amtrak has made in its
financial position have been largely attributable to better management
and better service. High speed rail could, if properly located,
designed and managed, make a great contribution both to the national
economy and Amtrak's bottom line.
Question 15. What should the source of funds be for new high-speed
rail efforts?
Answer. I would be willing to explore all options, including the
Federal appropriations process, FAST-authorized grant programs, and
other innovative strategies.
Question 16. In response to the committee's questionnaire, you
state ``The Acela has been successful in part because of its time-
saving design, although even that option needs improvement.'' What
improvements do you suggest?
Answer. As I am sure you know, Amtrak is purchasing new Acela
trainset, with the first set slated for delivery and testing in 2019.
These will provide a larger capacity and support better and more
frequent service, particularly as targeted infrastructure improvements
are completed. There is clearly a need for investment in additional
capacity and trip time improvements on the Northeast Corridor, in
addition to the clearly identified need for repair and replacement of
aging and deteriorating infrastructure.
Question 17. What efforts will you take to improve safety on the
Amtrak network?
Answer. I believe the current management has set achievable goals
and a good strategy to improve safety, and I will work with them to
ensure that they have the tools and support they need to accomplish
that task.
Question 18. What efforts will you take to improve security on the
Amtrak network?
Answer. I will encourage management to ensure that safety and
security remain their top priorities, and work with them to identify
and implement effective strategies to secure the Amtrak system. As a
former member of the House Permanent Select Committee on Intelligence,
I have gained a strong perspective on both the threat and the means
that are available to deal with it--including current Federal and
private best practices. I believe there will be potential opportunities
for improvement at Amtrak, and I will work closely with the Board and
management to pursue every available opportunity to keep the traveling
public safe.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Edward Markey
and Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto to Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Amtrak provides a valuable service to tens of millions of Americans
across the country, including those living in rural communities who
travel on Amtrak Long-Distance routes. These routes connect 40 percent
of rural America, offering an important option for scheduled intercity
travel for many of those living in these areas.
At the hearing, you acknowledged the importance of passenger rail
service to rural communities, stating that funding our rail system is a
``necessity.'' However, as a Member of Congress you voted to cut and
eliminate Amtrak operating and capital grants and funding for Long-
Distance routes, like those that serve multiple stops in Northern
Nevada (Reno, Elko and Winnemucca) and connect Boston and Western
Massachusetts residents to major destinations like Chicago and
Cleveland.
Regrettably, the Trump Administration's budget request proposed
slashing over $600 million of funding for these critical long-distance
routes.
Question. If confirmed, what steps would you take as a member of
Amtrak's Board of Director to make Long-Distance routes cost effective?
Answer. I will work with my colleagues on the Amtrak Board and with
management to study the system and identify opportunities for financial
improvement, consistent with our responsibilities to operate and
maintain the national system.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Cory Booker to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Question. During your confirmation hearing, you described the
urgent need to build the Gateway Project. If confirmed, will you
support increasing Federal funding for projects of national
significance like the Gateway project?
Answer. I will certainly support efforts that, like Gateway
program, are designed to invest to address identified capacity,
condition, and replacement needs. I believe there is a place for
Federal capital investment in projects of this magnitude, provided it
is made in a fiscally prudent and responsible manner.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Maggie Hassan to
Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Mr. Westmoreland, I have long championed the idea of expanding and
increasing rail services in New Hampshire. I had planned to ask you
about whether this is something you would consider supporting and
working with me on, if confirmed to this position.
Then I took a look at your voting record.
In the U.S. House of Representatives, you voted to eliminate ALL
Amtrak funding, you voted to eliminate Amtrak operating grants, and you
voted to close down several rail lines altogether. To be clear, as a
member of the House of Representatives you were no friend of Amtrak's.
Question. How do you remedy the need for the Amtrak system to
operate with your seeming desire to shut it down; and what assurances
does this committee have that you will act in the best interest of
Amtrak, and not work to dismantle it?
Answer. I do not want to shut Amtrak down. I want it to run in a
manner that safeguards the taxpayers' investment. When I represented my
district, my constituents expected me to protect the taxpayers'
interests. I used my vote to remind Amtrak that Congress was watching,
and expected careful stewardship of the public investment in its
system. One of the main roles of Congress is oversight and one of the
most efficient ways to demonstrate Congress' close attention is through
funding mechanisms. Amtrak got that message, and the significant
efficiency improvements that followed helped to keep the national
system viable. I think it is also important to note, I supported the
2015 FAST Act and voted for passage of the final version which
reauthorized funding for Amtrak. I am very confident that the current
Amtrak leadership will continue to provide our communities with the
service they need, and I look forward to working with them to help make
that happen.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto
to Hon. Leon (Lynn) A. Westmoreland
Question. Congressman Westmoreland, you highlighted rail security
threats in both your questionnaire and your testimony. Can you speak a
little more about your expertise in that area, and what you think you
may add that isn't being consider on the current Amtrak board?
Answer. As a former member of the House Permanent Select Committee
on Intelligence, I have gained a strong perspective on both the threat
and the means that are available to deal with it--including current
Federal and private best practices. I believe there will be potential
opportunities for improvement at Amtrak, and I will work closely with
the Board and management to pursue every available opportunity to keep
the traveling public safe
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Impacts of Climate Change. Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, as we have
tragically seen in the most recent hurricanes, Florida and territories
like Puerto Rico are particularly susceptible to extreme weather and
the impacts of sea level rise.
Question 1. Do you believe that it is important to help make
communities resilient to extreme weather and climate variability? If
yes, what actions should we take to address resiliency and prevent
damage caused by hurricanes and other forms of extreme weather?
Answer. Yes. We have benefited from advances in weather
forecasting, to help communities prepare for such weather disasters. We
also need to have research into how to make roads, ports, and airports
more resilient after storms, such as research on the durability of
various materials that could be used for surface areas. We also need
robust energy and communications systems, particularly at ports and
airports, to make sure that supplies and building materials can enter
the impacted areas.
Question 2. Do you support Federal funding to help with immediate
emergency relief and long-term rebuilding?
Answer. Yes.
Highway Trust Fund. You have written several articles that have
been very critical of Federal involvement in highway and transit
funding. They have even included calls by you to either scale back the
Federal Highway Trust Fund dramatically or to get rid of it altogether.
Question 3. What impact would your proposal have on our ability to
ensure that our roads and bridges are safe? What research have you done
to come to this conclusion?
Answer. One aspect of being both an academic and a columnist is to
throw out ideas for discussion and reaction. And because revenues from
the Highway Trust Fund are diminishing, we need to consider solutions
to the problem of how to maintain and improve highway infrastructure.
To be clear, I support the current law, which includes the Highway
Trust Fund. But we should do more research into alternative sources of
funding so that Americans can have a safe infrastructure system.
Question 4. If confirmed, would you continue to advocate for the
elimination of or a reduction to the Highway Trust Fund? Please
explain. 2
Answer. No. The position is a research position, not a policy or an
advocacy position.
Privatization of Air Traffic Control. In a 2016 article supporting
privatizing air traffic control, you stated: ``Congress should free
each airport to choose the air-traffic-control service it prefers.
There could be one agreed-upon set of communications protocols, and
each service provider would have to abide by these protocols.''
Question 5. Can you explain how such a plan would preserve the
National Airspace System and ensure the safety of the flying public?
What data have you relied on to come to this position?
Answer. Safety is paramount. When I wrote the article, I believed
that an agreed-upon set of communications protocols would ensure that
different air traffic control systems would work together, just as
people with Verizon phones can talk to people with T-Mobile phones. But
the future of the air traffic control system would not be my decision
if confirmed as Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. I
would not be advocating for any changes in the current system.
LGBT Rights. In an August 24, 2016, article on marketwatch.com
titled ``Obama's bathroom law fails to protect those who need it most:
girls,'' you stated the following: ``That simple moral compass has been
turned on its head in America, where the Obama administration has
unwittingly invited Peeping Toms and perverts to enter any girls'
bathrooms and locker rooms under the guise of fairness to the
transgender community. Not only are the lechers invited in, but the
Obama administration even sought to make it unlawful to keep them
out.''
Question 6. Do you stand by this statement? Please explain.
Answer. Quite honestly, as the parent of a girl, I would have been
upset if a school had allowed boys, even those who identified as girls,
into girls' bathrooms or locker rooms.
Funding for the Manhattan Institute. In your response to my pre-
hearing questions, you stated that you ``do not have information
concerning the donors to the Institute.'' This did not appropriately
respond to my concern, which involves potential conflicts.
Question 7. Please provide a list of all entities that have
provided funding to the Manhattan Institute for Policy Research since
2009.
Answer. I have asked the Manhattan Institute if it has a public
donor list, and no such list is published. Fundraising is done by the
Institute's Office of Development in New York. As an employee of the
Institute, I am not informed about who the contributors are for
precisely the reason that you cite: that it could pose a conflict of
interest and taint our research products.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Ms. Furchtgott-Roth, you have written very extensively about your
opposition to the government's role in helping to develop sustainable
energy sources, and you've been a forceful proponent of public-private
partnerships when it comes to building infrastructure.
One of missions of the Office of the Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology is to ``Advance innovation, technology
development, and breakthrough knowledge.''
Question 1. If confirmed, will you work to promote and advance
innovation and technology development which will bring much-needed
improvements in efficiency and environmental benefits, even though some
of those technologies may stand in contrast to many of your writings?
Answer. Yes
Question 2. If confirmed, will you prioritize research and
technology development on the best available science?
Answer. Yes
Question 3. You've been a strong proponent of public-private
partnerships, yet not all states are equipped or even willing to hand
over responsibility for key transportation infrastructure to the
private sector. How will you account for that when advising the
administration on much-needed infrastructure overhaul?
Answer. The position to which I have been nominated is a research
position and not a policy position. If confirmed, I hope to generate
research that shows which types of public private partnerships work,
and which ones do not, and in what circumstances. I do not believe
there can be ``one-size-fits-all'' approach. I hope that the research
of the Office would inform policy.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Experience and familiarity with transportation.
Question 1. What experience do you have in transportation?
Answer. I have had an interest in transportation from an early age,
as my father, Gabriel Roth, was a transportation economist at the World
Bank and recently a fellow at the Independent Institute. He has
published several books and numerous articles that have appeared in
transportation journals. In my own career as an economist, I have
written on a range of transportation subjects, including ports,
pipelines, highway funding, and CAFE standards. I have managed research
teams at the Council of Economic Advisers, the U.S. Department of
Labor, and at the Manhattan Institute. Researchers affiliated with
these offices have conducted research on a wide variety of topics,
including transportation.
Question 2. What positions have you held in the transportation
industry?
Answer. None, but I would suggest that this could be construed as a
positive in that my work in the Office of Research and Technology would
not be influenced by past industry associations.
Question 3. What entities have you worked for in the transportation
sector?
Answer. I worked at the American Petroleum Institute for four
years.
Question 4. What positions have you held that oversee safety
matters?
Answer. None.
Question 5. What positions have you held that are focused on
science (exclusive of economics-focused positions)?
Answer. Most economists would say that they are scientists.
Economics follows scientific methods of analysis of data and
statistics. I am not a physical scientist, but as an economist, I study
how humans react to various externalities, such as price, availability,
availability of substitutes, and so forth. In transportation, safety is
often a function of human behavior; consumers make choices between
travel by air or rail; state and local governments consider the present
value of building road A versus road B. Economics is an appropriate
discipline for the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology. I
have led research teams at the Council of Economic Advisers, the U.S.
Department of Labor, and at the Manhattan Institute. Researchers
affiliated with these offices have conducted research on a wide variety
of topics, including transportation. Finally, I wish to note that the
incumbent in this position was a lawyer so being a physical scientist
or engineer does not seem to be a prerequisite for holding this
position. 5
The Federal Government's role funding transit and rail and
overseeing rail and trucking safety.
Question 6. In 2014, did you write that the Federal Government
should ``no longer require states to use gas tax funds to pay for mass
transit''?
Answer. Yes. I wrote a column reviewing legislation by
Representative Earl Blumenauer from Oregon, entitled the Road Usage Fee
Pilot Program Act of 2013. He proposed replacing the gas tax with a fee
for miles travelled.
Question 7. Do you hold the view that the Federal Government should
no longer require states to use gas tax funds to pay for mass transit?
Answer. I support the law of the land, which requires states to
spend funds on mass transit. The position to which I have been
nominated is not a policy position.
Question 8. In 2011, did you write that ``passenger service on
fixed rails . . . is an old and outmoded technology''?
Answer. Yes.
Question 9. Do you hold the view that passenger service on fixed
rails . . . is an old and outmoded technology?
Answer. The article was in the context of President Obama's search
for areas to cut the deficit. Proposed high speed rail projects were
major budget items. I recognize that for many Americans, particularly
along the Northeast corridor, passenger and commuter rail is the most
efficient form of transportation.
Question 10. What do you propose be done to replace passenger
service on fixed rails if you do indeed believe it is an old and
outdated technology?
Answer. Future concepts in transit technology, such as MagLevs and
hyperloops, are being developed, and one day soon could be reality. In
the meantime, fixed rail service should be supported, particularly on
well-traveled routes such as the Northeast corridor.
Question 11. In 2011, did you write a piece telling the Obama
administration to ``cut, don't promote high-speed rail''?
Answer. I did not write that. That was the headline given by the
Washington Examiner.
Question 12. Do you believe the Trump administration should lessen
investment in passenger rail?
Answer. Some routes are worthy of additional investment,
particularly the Northeast Corridor.
Question 13. Have you ever questioned the Federal Government's role
as a safety regulator?
Answer. No.
Question 14. Do you support the Federal Government serving as a
strong safety oversight authority?
Answer. Yes.
Question 15. Have you ever retweeted articles that argue for safety
and economic benefits of deregulated rail and trucking industries?
Answer. I do not recall. I deleted my Twitter account weeks ago and
I have no record of my Tweets or Retweets.
Question 16. Have you ever tweeted any articles arguing that self-
policing by an industry yields better public safety?
Answer. I do not recall tweeting those articles.
Question 17. A recent surface transportation reauthorization bill
authorizes significant funding for transit and rail for Connecticut. Do
you support the investment of those funds in rail and transit?
Answer. If Congress makes the judgment that such funding is in the
public's interest, then I believe in carrying out those provisions. I
do not expect that the Office of Research and Technology would be
called upon to opine on such funding decisions.
Question 18. Should we invest more Federal funds into passenger
rail?
Answer. Some routes are worthy of additional investment,
particularly the Northeast Corridor.
Question 19. Should the Federal Government do more or less to
regulate safety?
Answer. When there are safety issues that can be effectively
addressed by regulation, I believe the Federal Government should
address it. I believe safety is paramount and is an appropriate role of
government.
Question 20. In your confirmation hearing, Sen. Schatz asked about
your past support for reducing investments in transportation, citing a
statement from you in 2011, ``One sector ripe for cuts is
transportation.'' You stated your position on this has changed as ``new
facts'' ``have come to light.'' What ``new facts'' have you discovered
that made you change your position?
Answer. In the six years, since I wrote this article, traffic
congestion has gotten worse, the average flight time is longer from
destination to destination, drones are now used in a number of ways,
and automated vehicles are getting closer to introduction on the roads.
The Department of Transportation must have the resources necessary to
effectively promote proper testing of new technologies, regulate and
enforce laws, and assist state and local governments finance new
infrastructure. However, I continue to believe that all Federal
departments, not just the Department of Transportation, have a duty to
restrain spending whenever possible. Accumulating debt is a serious
matter that will impact generations to come.
Question 21. Have you ever tweeted a statement or retweeted the
statement: ``It's long past time to put an end to Chevron Deference''?
Answer. I do not recall tweeting or retweeting that statement. I
have not written on Chevron Deference. It is possible that I retweeted
an article from our daily Ebrief, which is a collection of 7 economics
articles that go out every morning from E21.
Question 22. What legal framework do you propose replace this
principle?
Answer. This is a legal topic, and not one on which I have taken a
position.
Impartiality in scientific studies.
Question 23. The position for which you've been nominated--the head
of the department's office of research and technology--plays an
instrumental role evaluating safety data and testing ways to save
lives. That role also requires impartiality--the hallmark of good
science--``upholding the integrity and impartiality of transportation
statistical data,'' as the agency's website states. In one of your
books, you refute policies at DOT. The agency oversees CAFE standards,
which reduce harmful, unhealthy auto emissions. You wrote in 2012
``higher CAFE standards would be the nail in the automobile industry's
coffin.'' Do you maintain the views you've expressed in the past
concerning CAFE standards?
Answer. A 2002 National Research Council study concluded that the
first CAFE standards resulted in 1,300 to 2,600 more Americans killed
on the roads in 1993, a typical year, because cars were lighter. Safety
should be paramount.
Question 24. How can we trust you will be impartial in questions of
raising CAFE standards?
Answer. Decisions concerning CAFE standards are the purview of
NHTSA, not the Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology.
However, I believe I have a reputation for allowing the research speak
for itself and adhering to the principle of impartiality.
Question 25. Will you recuse yourself from working on CAFE matters?
Answer. I will follow the instructions of the Office of General
Counsel's Ethics Officer.
Privatization of public infrastructure.
Question 26. In 2017, did you retweet an op-ed urging privatization
of our roads and highways?
Answer. I do not recall.
Question 27. In 2017, did you write, ``Privatize interstates for
better roads, affordable tolls and guaranteed basic income.''?
Answer. No. The phrase was from an op ed by the economics Nobel
Prize winner Vernon Smith in the Wall Street Journal on June 27
entitled ``Privatize the Interstates.'' The article was aggregated in
the Economics21 daily ``Ebrief.'' The Ebrief is a collection of 7
articles on economic topics which is sent out by my office every
weekday. Anyone may subscribe.
Question 28. What research did you perform into this subject before
posting this statement?
Question 29. What interstates do you suggest we ``privatize''?
Question 30. What would be an ``affordable'' toll?
Question 31. What would be the value of the ``guaranteed basic
income''?
Answer. Please see above response to #27. This was not my article
or my argument.
Gender equality.
Question 32. In 2014, did you write that female Secret Service
agents are less capable of protecting the president than the male
agents?
Answer. Yes. I wrote that ``female Secret Service officers have to
meet lower standards of fitness than male officers do.''
Question 33. Do you believe women are less capable of protecting
the president than men?
Answer. No. Only if they have lower standards of fitness. All
Secret Service officers should be held to the same standard.
Question 34. In 2001, did you argue that women feel sexually
harassed when unattractive men approach them, but not when attractive
men approach them?
Answer. I do not recall writing that.
Question 35. Do you believe that women feel sexually harassed when
unattractive men approach them, but not when attractive men approach
them?
Answer. No.
Question 36. In 2001, did you argue that when off-color jokes,
leering, and suggestive remarks are placed on a continuum with assault
and rape, it amounts to crying wolf with regard to harassment and
violence?
Answer. I may have, but I do not recall.
Question 37. Do you believe that when off-color jokes, leering, and
suggestive remarks are placed on a continuum with assault and rape, it
amounts to crying wolf with regard to harassment and violence?
Answer. Yes. Off-color jokes are not the same as assault and rape.
It is offensive to anyone who has suffered violent assault or rape to
suggest that it is the equivalent of an off-color joke.
Question 38. Have you ever you stated that in workplaces with
strong policies against harassment, ``Relationships between men and
women in the workplace inevitably suffer''?
Answer. This quote is taken from ``The Feminist Dilemma: When
Success Is Not Enough,'' written by Christine Stolba and myself. The
title of the chapter is ``No Laughing Matter: Sexual Harassment.'' The
chapter describes the extraordinary problems women face from sexual
harassment.
Question 39. In 2001, did you argue that it is prudent for men in
positions of authority to avoid interacting with women to protect
themselves from harassment claims?
Answer. We argued that ``women's workplace advancement might
suffer'' precisely because men will limit their exposure to
``potentially ambiguous situations.'' Senator Hassan also noted this
concern during the hearing. I urge senators to read the entire book and
not selective quotes taken out of context. See, for instance, a full
discussion on page 103.
Question 40. Do you believe that it is prudent for men in positions
of authority to avoid interacting with women to protect themselves from
harassment claims?
Answer. See answer above.
Question 41. If confirmed, will you urge male subordinates who
remain in positions of authority over women to avoid interacting with
women?
Answer. No. 10
Question 42. Will your views on gender discrimination and workplace
harassment be germane to the position for which you are nominated?
Answer. If confirmed, I will follow all laws and rules about
workplace harassment and discrimination. In my 30-plus year career, I
have experienced my share of workplace harassment, and I am very
sympathetic to such problems that occur in the workplace.
Question 43. Does the position for which you are nominated oversee
employees focused on civil rights?
Answer. I am aware that the organization chart shows an Office of
Civil Rights that reports to the Assistant Secretary for Research and
Technology. I am told that this box is a holdover from when the Office
of Research and Technology was a separate operating administration. As
you know, it is now an office within the Office of the Secretary.
Complaints of civil rights violations within the Office of the
Secretary are filed directly with the departmental Office of Civil
Rights, which is a discrete office and reports directly to the
Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology would
not be supervising that office.
Question 44. Will the views you've expressed concerning sexual
harassment be applied to women under your supervision?
Answer. My book states that women in the workplace deserve all
rights to professional advancement without being subjected to sexual
harassment. I have always held that view, and I have had no complaints
from men and women under my supervision in the past.
Labor.
Question 45. Have you ever written an article with a title claiming
unions are ``roach motels''?
Answer. I did not pick the title nor use the phrase in the article.
My original article was published in U.S. News and World Report on
August 17, 2016, and was entitled ``Leaving Is Too Much Labor.'' It was
republished by the Foundation for Economic Education on August 19,
2017, and given a different title.
Question 46. Have you ever argued that ``the middle class is
getting `hollowed out'--but only because workers are getting richer''?
Answer. Yes. In February 2016, National Review published an article
I wrote on the topic. I was quoting a report from the Center for
American Progress written by Harvard professor Richard Freeman. I
wrote, ``As CAP admits, `about three-quarters of the reduction [in the
middle class] resulted from a rising share of high-wage workers.'
Between 1969 and 2007, the household income of the median adult rose by
52 percent. This increase was seen across the income distribution--even
the income of those at the 25th percentile of the income distribution
grew by 40 percent from 1969 to 2007.''
Question 47. What workers ``are getting richer''?
Answer. Please see answer above. The Center for American Progress
estimated that three-quarters of the reduction in the middle class
resulted from a rising share of high-wage workers.
Question 48. Have you ever suggested air traffic controllers are
responsible for flight delays?
Answer. No, I did not say that air traffic controllers are
responsible for delays. I did write an article saying that it is odd
that 17 air traffic controllers did not have to show up for work
because they are on ``official time,'' full-time working for their
union.
Question 49. Have you ever claimed that air traffic controllers
make too much money?
Answer. I never claimed that working air traffic controllers make
too much. I have suggested that non-working air traffic controllers
make too much.
Question 50. Have you ever urged the adoption of technology to
eliminate the air traffic control workforce?
Answer. I do not recall urging the adoption of technology to
eliminate the air traffic control workforce.
Question 51. Will the position for which you've been nominated
require you to work closely with and collaborate with many labor
unions?
Answer. I support all American workers, union and non-union. Labor
unions are important stakeholders in transportation; but because I will
not be in a policy-making role, I do not anticipate a day-to-day
collaboration with labor. However, I welcome the opportunity to work
with anyone.
Question 52. What do you say to labor unions who might look at your
statements as hostile and evidence of an unwillingness to work
together?
Answer. Please see answer above.
Autonomous Vehicles (AV) and drone policy.
Question 53. Should DOT require manufacturers of AVs to perform a
minimum level of due diligence testing and analysis to ensure that AVs
work safely and properly before they are tested on public roads or sold
to consumers?
Answer. Yes.
Question 54. Have you done any consulting for companies involved in
the development of autonomous vehicles?
Answer. No.
Question 55. Have you ever consulted with any businesses that
consult for manufacturers of autonomous vehicles?
Answer. Not to my knowledge.
Question 56. Do any AV manufacturers provide financial
contributions to any entities to which you are an employee or
contractor?
Answer. Not to my knowledge.
Question 57. If you answered yes to questions 53 to 56, will you
recuse yourself from working on AV matters?
Answer. I will comply with all ethics rules.
Question 58. Did you ever write ``President Obama usurping state
land in Utah and Nevada? Let states make their own decisions''?
Answer. No. This was from a Point/Counterpoint in our daily Ebrief
on January 3, 2017. Every Ebrief features a Point/Counterpoint with two
opposing views. I did not write either article. On that day we asked
``Should Republicans undo Obama's designation of new national
monuments?'' and we paired DeSanctis (Reversing Obama's Last Minute
Land Grab) in National Review with Eilperin and Dennis (Obama Adds to
Environmental Legacy) in the Washington Post.
Question 59. Do you believe states should retain the ability to
make ``their own decisions'' in relation to AVs?
Answer. This is a legal issue and a matter for Congress to decide.
Question 60. Do you believe states should retain the ability to
make ``their own decisions'' in relation to drones?
Answer. This is a legal issue and a matter for Congress to decide.
Transparency.
Question 61. Do you maintain a personal Twitter account?
Answer. No.
Question 62. Have you posted any opinions about policy on such
account?
Answer. I do not currently have an account.
Question 63. Do you continue to stand by the statements you've
provided on such account?
Answer. I do not currently have an account. For anything I may have
tweeted during the period that I maintained a Twitter account, it is
impossible to know whether I still stand by any particular tweet or not
without knowing what it is. I have testified that I have changed my
views on certain issues if facts and circumstances change.
Question 64. Have you deleted any tweets you've authored since your
nomination?
Answer. I closed my Twitter account prior to my nomination.
Question 65. Why did you delete these tweets?
Answer. I did not delete any tweets since my nomination.
Question 66. Will you provide the Committee with all the deleted
tweets?
Answer. I had a Twitter account before I was nominated, and closed
it before I was nominated. I do not have access to those tweets because
Twitter does not keep closed accounts.
Question 67. What steps have you taken to retrieve deleted tweets?
Answer. I did not delete any tweets. I closed down the account. I
looked online to see if the tweets could be retrieved, and they could
not be retrieved.
Question 68. Does the deletion of your tweets conflict with your
pledge to collaborate and be transparent with the committee?
Answer. I did not delete tweets. I reaffirm my pledge to be
transparent and cooperate with the committee.
Question 69. Have you ever registered or used any other group or
jointly controlled social media accounts (to include but not limited to
Facebook and LinkedIn)? If so, please list the name of the account(s)
and provide a copy of the content posted on such account(s).
Answer. I used to have Facebook and LinkedIn accounts, but I closed
them months before I was nominated. I can reactivate these accounts if
you are interested in seeing them because Facebook and LinkedIn keep
the data. I have a private Strava account to track my cycling, a
private family WhatsApp group, and a private family Instagram account.
None of these are relevant to my nomination as Assistant Secretary for
Research and Technology.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Brian Schatz to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Question 1. During the hearing, you stated that due to ``new facts
that have come to light'' you believe that a Federal Government
shutdown is not helpful. Please provide the new facts that have led to
a change in your position.
Answer. Shutdowns seriously inconvenience Americans, and have had
no beneficial results.
Question 2. In response to the question of whether it is vital to
the national interest that the Federal Government ensures a fast, safe,
efficient, accessible and convenient transportation system, you stated
that ``the transportation sector is extremely important and deserves a
lot of support.'' Do you believe it is the role and responsibility of
the Federal Government to provide direct funding to interstate
highways, transit and safety programs?
Answer. Yes. It is both the law of the land and prudent to maintain
an efficient transportation network to facilitate commerce.
Question 3. In an article entitled `Starting a trade war with ``Buy
America'',' you wrote ``The tragic losers of ``Buy America'' are free
trade agreements and potential job growth in the American economy. .
.``Buy America'' is shorthand for fewer jobs as other countries
retaliate.'' Do you support ``Buy America'' provisions? Do you believe
that ``Buy America'' requirements create higher wages and employment
rates for workers in the United States?
Answer. I support current law, including laws with Buy America
provisions. These laws create higher wages and employment rates for
many American workers.
Question 4. In a 2009 article entitled ``Drivers Should Pay For the
Roads They Use,'' you wrote ``the Department of Transportation should
no longer require states to use gas tax funds to pay for mass
transit.'' Do you support Federal funding for mass transit?
Answer. Federal funding for mass transit through the Highway Trust
Fund is the law, and I support implementing the law.
Question 5. In a 2015 article detailing findings by the New York
City Panel on Climate Change published in response to Superstorm Sandy
entitled ``Climate change could bring higher temperatures, much higher
sea levels, and more flooding to NYC: report'', you are quoted as
saying ``Money we are using for potential, unproved happenings in 2080
could better be used today for the health and safety of our citizens.''
Do you believe that research should be conducted on the impact of
future extreme weather events on infrastructure? Should state
departments of transportation and local planning authorities consider
science-based modeling of future extreme weather events in planning and
assessment activities?
Answer. Yes. As recent events have shown, research in this area is
vital. Transportation and communications networks need to be able to
operate. We should try to identify effective ways to make
infrastructure more resilient.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cory Booker to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Climate Change.
Question 1. I am concerned about some of your writings on climate
change. Do you believe that climate change is real and that there is
overwhelming scientific evidence that humans are the primary driver?
Will you ensure that researchers, scientists, and those working on data
can freely do their work to address the impacts of climate change
without interference?
Answer. Climate change is real. As I mentioned in the hearing, my
siblings and I used to regularly skate on the C & O Canal in the late
1960s. Now it is rare for the canal to freeze. Most climate scientists
agree that humans are the primary driver of climate change. If
confirmed, I would defer to the expertise of DOT's climate scientists.
I would ensure that researchers, scientists, and those working on data
can freely do their work to address the effects of climate change
without interference.
Labor.
Question 2. You have referred to labor unions as ``roach motels''
and made efforts to blame unions without factoring in all potential
impacts. Do you support collective bargaining right among workers in
the transportation industry?
Answer. I did not pick the title nor use the phrase in the article.
My original article was published in U.S. News and World Report on
August 17, 2016, and was entitled ``Leaving Is Too Much Labor.'' It was
republished by the Foundation for Economic Education on August 19,
2017, and given a different title with ``roach'' in it. I support
workers' rights to join and leave unions.
Question 3. Can you please provide assurances that you will provide
fair and balanced research particularly when it comes to issues
impacting collective bargaining rights and prevailing wage laws?
Answer. Yes, I can assure you that my research will be fair and
balanced. I believe my reputation is for research that informs policy-
making, not research that merely blesses a predetermined conclusion.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Maggie Hassan to
Diana Furchtgott-Roth
Question. During your confirmation hearing, you stated that if a
complaint of sexual harassment if an employee came to you, you would
refer it to the Office of Civil Rights within the Department of
Transportation. According to the organizational chart for the
Department of Transportation,\1\ the Office of Civil Rights would be
under your purview if you were to be confirmed.
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
\1\ https://www.transportation.gov/transition/assistant-secretary-
for-research-and-technology
---------------------------------------------------------------------------
Please clarify the role your office plays with regard to the Office
of Civil Rights. If a complaint of sexual harassment or assault, what
specific steps would you take to address it?
Answer. I am aware that the organization chart shows an Office of
Civil Rights that reports to the Assistant Secretary for Research and
Technology. I am told that this box is a holdover from when the Office
of Research and Technology was a separate operating administration. As
you know, it is now an office within the Office of the Secretary.
Complaints of civil rights violations within the Office of the
Secretary are filed directly with the departmental Office of Civil
Rights, which is a discrete office and reports directly to the
Secretary. The Assistant Secretary for Research and Technology would
not be supervising that office.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto
to Diana Furchtgott-Roth
SMART Communities. I have introduced the Moving FIRST Act to create
additional competitive Federal funding opportunities for these
communities and would encourage the administration to supportive of
such efforts to help improve safety, connect more of our constituents,
and tackle various difficult quality of life realities for them.
Question. How much exposure have you had to the concept of smart
communities, where innovation and technologies are being implemented to
tackle challenges from congestion and development, to transportation
access and environmental concerns? Is it something you are supportive
of?
Answer. I am very interested in the concept of Smart Cities. It is
vital to use technology to reduce traffic accidents and fatalities,
decrease time spent in traffic, lower emissions, make it easier to get
to jobs and school, and revitalize underserved communities. Smart
Cities have the potential to do all these things. We should also be
examining potential benefits of intermodal approaches. Should I have
the honor of being confirmed, I hope to be able to work with you on the
issue.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. In a recent listening session hosted by the U.S.
Department of Transportation and the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration on Electronic Logging Devices and Hours of Service,
South Dakota small business owners and drivers raised several issues
with current Federal requirements.
With that in mind, do you commit to taking a comprehensive look at
requirements with the aim of providing appropriate relief for drivers
as you work to advance the safe and efficient transportation of goods?
Answer. Yes. I look forward to working with all stakeholders,
including small independent trucking companies, and especially those
who, such as livestock haulers, would be most affected by this rule. I
will have an open-door policy to work with all stakeholders to meet
with them and hear their concerns.
Question 2. The 2016 U.S. Department of Transportation's Report to
Congress (DOT), Comprehensive Truck Size and Weight Limit Study,
recognized the need for additional data regarding truck characteristics
at the time of a crash, including loaded weight.
Given that the DOT has highlighted this data limitation, if you are
confirmed, will you get back to the committee regarding whether the DOT
is considering loaded weight as a part of data collection, mandatory or
voluntary, within the context of accident reporting or any other
related accident data collecting?
Answer. Yes, if confirmed, I will get back to the Committee
regarding the Department's plans to address the lack of loaded weight
data as a limitation in state level accident reporting. I will consult
FMCSA staff as well as my colleagues at the Federal Highway
Administration on this data reporting issue.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Deb Fischer to
Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. In 1994, Congress passed the Federal Aviation
Administration Authorization Act, or F4A. This bill included a
preemption on state laws related to the price, route, or service of a
motor carrier. However, some states are implementing regulations
related to issues like meal and rest breaks that go beyond the 1994
law. How important is it to have transportation policies that are
consistent across state lines? Does a patchwork of state laws hinder
the ability of carriers to move freight?
Answer. In general, I believe uniformity in the rules for
interstate commerce is important to ensure efficient flow of goods and
services nationwide. However, the question of whether preemption
applies to any particular set of facts and circumstances is a legal
question that I am not in a position to answer without consulting the
Office of General Counsel.
Question 2. The FAST Act required a study of the Compliance,
Safety, Accountability program due to concerns about the use of faulty
data, which was then publically posted. The National Academy of
Sciences recently released their report on CSA, which recommended a new
algorithm, known as the Item Response Theory model, to collect data and
address enforcement. What are your thoughts on the recommendations made
by the National Academy of Sciences?
Answer. If confirmed, safety will remain FMCSA's highest priority.
Continued improvement of safety can only be achieved by leveraging
current, valid and verifiable data in order to identify areas of risk
and focus enforcement efforts more efficiently on those identified
areas. The National Academy of Sciences (NAS) has provided a thorough
review of the Safety Measurement System and recommendations for
improvement of the system. The recommendations provide a more
scientific approach to how FMCSA uses the inspection and investigation
data to assess the safety culture and compliance of companies. In
addition, the NAS provided FMCSA recommendations on improvement to the
quality of its data, which I believe strongly, will help in its mission
to improve safety. I will work with FMCSA on corrective action plan
that addresses the NAS recommendations. It is my understanding that
FMCSA has also contracted with NAS to establish a standing committee to
provide advice during evaluation and implementation of the
recommendations.
Question 3. Will you ensure that the methodology used to collect
information on a motor carrier is thoroughly researched and developed
before that information is made public?
Answer. Yes. If confirmed, I will ensure that FMCSA data and
information is accurate, reliable, complete and timely. FMCSA has
committed to a public process of implementation of the NAS
recommendation.
Question 4. As you know, the trucking industry is facing a
significant driver shortage, which is currently estimated at nearly
50,000 drivers. If confirmed, will you work with Congress and industry
stakeholders to help make real progress on this issue?
Answer. Yes. I would be eager to work with Congress and our
industry partners to help address the driver shortage within the
industry. I know that FMCSA has already taken several actions under its
existing regulatory authority to help address the driver shortage such
as outreach programs to assist veterans become licensed drivers and to
permit certain qualified individuals 18-21 to drive interstate. I look
forward to working with FMCSA to continue these efforts and to identify
additional ways to address the driver shortage issue.
Question 5. The driver shortage is exacerbated by skills testing
delays in several states. It has been reported that CDL applicants are
waiting two weeks or more to take the CDL exam. In some instances, wait
times have exceeded 40-60 days. These prolonged periods of time prevent
people with new job skills from getting to work. If confirmed, will you
commit to addressing this issue and making the CDL application and
testing process more fair and efficient?
Answer. As the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chair and Chief
Administrator, I have dealt firsthand the problems faced by states on
the long delays involved in CDL testing. If confirmed, one of the first
steps I will take is to bring together FMCSA and my former colleagues
at the American Association of Motor Vehicles to address the
requirements in the CDL skills tests to see where we can make
adjustments to reduce delays inherent in the system but still provide
an adequate level of testing. I am also aware that the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration is collecting data from each state,
including New Jersey, on driver license skills test delays and related
information. Findings from this effort will help all of us better
understand this important issue and potential contributing factors.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Jim Inhofe to
Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. This committee has had a number of hearings related to
Autonomous Vehicles and the opportunity new technology has to make our
roads safer for all drivers of all motor vehicles. In fact, this
committee just passed legislation that would allow for the testing,
certification, and deployment of autonomous vehicles.
What role do you see for the Federal Motor Carrier Administration
in the development and deployment of autonomous vehicles?
Answer. I believe that FMCSA should continue to work together with
all of the modes of the Department of Transportation to provide an
adaptive and flexible regulatory framework for autonomous CMVs and
still ensure the safety of the driving public. FMCSA should also work
on developing guidance for manufacturers, state and local agencies, and
other entities involved in the development and deployment of automated
CMV technology.
Question 2. Commercial Driver's License testing wait times can be a
major impediment for individuals seeking their CDL and entering the job
market. The FAST Act included Section 5506, which required the ``FMCSA
Administrator to report these wait times and describes specific steps
that the Administrator is taking to address skills testing delays in
states that have average skills test or retest wait times of more than
7 days from the date an applicant requests to test or retest to the
date the applicant has the opportunity to complete such test or
retest.''
How would you begin to address issues related to skills testing
delays in states that have wait times of longer than 7 days?
Answer. As the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chair and Chief
Administrator, I have dealt firsthand the problems faced by states on
the long delays involved in CDL testing. If confirmed, one of the first
steps I will take is to bring together FMCSA and my former colleagues
at the American Association of Motor Vehicles to address the
requirements in the CDL skills tests to see where we can make
adjustments to reduce delays inherent in the system but still provide
an adequate level of testing. I am also aware that the Federal Motor
Carrier Safety Administration is collecting data from each state,
including New Jersey, on driver license skills test delays and related
information. Findings from this effort will help all of us better
understand this important issue and potential contributing factors.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Todd Young to
Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. Mr. Martinez, as you are well aware, the trucking
industry is confronted with a significant driver shortage issue. Some
projections indicate that within seven years the trucking and logistics
industry could see a shortage as high as 175,000 individuals. My
colleague Senator Fischer worked to include a pilot program within the
FAST Act to permit drivers between the ages of 18-21 to drive across
state lines if they are active duty or reserve members of the military.
However, this pilot program has seen fewer than 10,000 participants
sign up. I would like to work with your office to identify if there are
further opportunities to allow young adults into the trucking industry
without reducing safety. As statistics become available from this pilot
program, will you pledge to work with this committee to build upon this
pilot program?
Answer. Yes. I would be eager to work with Congress, our industry
and other stakeholders to help address the driver shortage.
Question 2. Mr. Martinez, your testimony touches on the importance
of utilizing data driven policy focused on the best information
available as well as your commitment to reasonable stakeholder
engagement. I look forward to working with you to ensure FMCSA
prioritizes the implementation of safety regulations that are robustly
supported by data. In that vein, the Electronic Logging Device (ELD)
implementation date is swiftly approaching in six weeks. I have heard
from numerous Hoosiers in the logistics industry regarding their
concerns with this pending regulatory implementation. Will you pledge
to work with small and independent operators to address their concerns
as this implementation date approaches?
Answer. Yes. I look forward to working with all stakeholders,
including small independent trucking companies, and especially those
who, such as livestock haulers, would be most affected by this rule. I
will have an open-door policy to work with all stakeholders to meet
with them and hear their concerns.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Raymond P. Martinez
Truck Safety. Side and rear under guards on trucks can help save
lives. The Insurance Institute for Highway Safety conducted a test of
side underride guards that showed significant benefits, including
preventing a car traveling at 35 miles per hour from going underneath
the side of a truck.
Question 1. What do you believe are the benefits of under guards to
safety? Do you believe this is an issue the Department of
Transportation should consider?
Answer. Under guards may reduce the attendant injuries and
fatalities associated with large truck crashes. However, more
information may be needed to determine whether rulemaking would be
effective. If confirmed, I will work with officials both at FMCSA and
the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates
vehicle manufacturers, to evaluate the extent to which these crashes
could be reduced through available technologies and the cost of such
efforts.
Rulemakings. The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration has
stopped and delayed important rulemakings, including sleep apnea,
minimum insurance, and safety fitness determination.
Question 2. Will you commit to review these rules and reevaluate
continuing the rulemaking process? Will you commit that, if confirmed,
you will not roll back any other truck and bus safety rules?
Answer. If I am confirmed, I would be open to reviewing and re-
evaluating any new evidence or any new technology regarding these
matters.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Raymond P. Martinez
Insurance. DOT sets minimum insurance levels for trucking
companies. The minimum is $750,000 for most carriers of property. This
amount was last changed in 1985--32 years ago--even though $750,000
pales in comparison to the damage a massive, 80,000-pound rig can do to
motorists on our highways. (The minimum amount for bus companies is $5
million.) DOT has tried increasing this amount, concluding in 2014 that
``current financial responsibility minimums are inadequate to fully
cover the costs of some crashes in light of increased medical costs and
revised value of statistical life estimates.'' Unfortunately, the FAST
Act--while an important bill with many positive elements--institutes a
delay, requiring an exhaustive study of the industry before any
rulemaking can even commence that ensures trucking companies are
adequately insured. I fought against that, but sadly it made it into
the law alongside many good provisions I do support.
Question 1. Do you recognize that the cost of crashes increases due
to inflation--but the coverage from insurance doesn't, leaving victims
at a loss?
Answer. The issue of minimum levels of financial responsibility is
complex and continuing discussion between FMCSA and stakeholders (e.g.,
the insurance industry, State agencies, transportation industry
associations, safety advocacy groups, etc.) is necessary to fully
understand all the factors that should be considered in determining the
appropriate levels of insurance.
Question 2. What steps will you take to resolve this?
Answer. If confirmed, I would work with stakeholders and my
colleagues at FMCSA to better understand what additional data would be
needed in order to fully evaluate an increase in minimum insurance.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal
and Hon. Edward Markey to Raymond P. Martinez
Sleep apnea. A study cited on FMCSA's website found almost one-
third (28 percent) of commercial truck drivers suffer from sleep apnea.
And additional studies have shown that truck drivers with untreated
sleep apnea have a rate of preventable crashes that is five times
higher than unaffected truckers.
The Obama administration recognized this problem and put forward
proposed rules to combat these dangers--allowing screening and
treatment so dangers could be mitigated while workers kept their jobs.
This proposal applies to rail workers and truck drivers. The Trump
administration, however, rolled them back in August 2017, concluding
current efforts were sufficient. This is troubling, as it seems the
agency may not be concerned about sleep apnea.
Question 1. What current safety programs at FMCSA mitigate the
risks due to sleep apnea?
Answer. I am aware that FMCSA and the Canadian government developed
the North American Fatigue Management Program, which provides a
comprehensive approach to reducing the risk of drivers operating while
fatigued. The program includes information on sleep disorders screening
and treatment, which includes the topic of OSA and other fatigue risk-
management issues.
In addition, FMCSA issued a bulletin to the healthcare
professionals on its National Registry of Certified Medical Examiners
(the National Registry) of the current physical qualifications standard
and advisory criteria concerning the respiratory system. The bulletin
explains how the requirements apply to drivers that may have
obstructive sleep apnea (OSA). FMCSA is currently working on a revision
of its OSA bulletin to incorporate the 2016 recommendations of the
Agency's Medical Review Board.
Question 2. Do you agree that we should bring back the proposed
rulemaking?
Answer. My understanding is that the sleep apnea proposal was
withdrawn because sleep apnea is already governed by existing safety
regulations. If I am confirmed, I would be open to reviewing any new
evidence or any new technology regarding sleep apnea.
Question 3. What steps do you plan to take to address sleep apnea?
Answer. Driver fatigue is a major risk factor associated with
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. Preventing the fatigued
operation of CMVs is a complex challenge, one that requires the effort
of FMCSA, state and local governments, industry, and drivers'
associations and unions. Currently, FMCSA is a key partner with
industry in providing education and training for commercial drivers and
carriers. This work is intended to address overall work-rest schedules,
and balancing family and work life in a manner that enables the driver
to rest during off-duty periods.
Outstanding rulemakings. Forward collision avoidance and mitigation
systems--also known as ``F-CAM''--prevent large trucks from plowing
into small cars ahead of them, cars that the truck driver often doesn't
see until too late. There are at least 2,000 of those crashes a year,
which result in hundreds of deaths. F-CAM technology would prevent
those tragedies.
Speed limiters would dramatically reduce high-speed truck crashes.
It would also save hundreds of lives. We know how effective it is--it's
required throughout Europe.
Underguards and sideguards prevent small cars from sliding under
big trucks, brutally decapitating those in the car. Crashes like that
happen nearly every day nationwide, resulting in hundreds of deaths as
well. A sideguard might have saved the life of the passenger in the
self-driving Tesla that crashed into a truck last year; but the
passenger died--a preventable tragedy--as we all know from the NTSB
report released a few weeks ago.
Question 4. Should we focus on these proven, life-saving devices?
Answer. I share your interest in enhanced technologies that could
improve the safety of commercial motor vehicle transportation and will
encourage additional testing and evaluation of such technologies.
Question 5. What is your commitment toward making them a reality?
Answer. It is true that F-CAM, speed limiters, siderails, etc., may
prevent crashes and the attendant injuries and fatalities. However,
more information may be needed in order to fully evaluate the
effectiveness of any one technology. If confirmed, I will work with
National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, which regulates vehicle
manufacturers, to evaluate the extent to which these crashes could be
reduced through available technologies and cost of such efforts.
Deaths Caused by Large Truck Crashes. Truck crashes continue to
occur at an alarmingly high rate. Every year on average, over 4,000
people are killed and nearly 100,000 are injured in large truck
crashes. Sadly, fatalities in crashes involving large trucks increased
by five percent in 2016 and, since 2009, have increased a staggering 28
percent.
Question 6. If confirmed as Administrator of Federal Motor Carrier
Safety Administration (FMCSA), what actions will you take to ensure
that the agency creates and implements a plan that will reduce truck
crash deaths and injuries?
Answer. If confirmed, I would have discussions with the
department's leadership team, senior executives in FMCSA, and meet with
stakeholders to get their perspectives on how the Agency can work more
collaboratively than in previous years to address the challenges we are
now facing in highway safety.
I would also work with stakeholders to implement improvements to
FMCSA's approach to assessing the safety performance of motor carriers
and the identification of high-risk carriers. The National Academy of
Sciences (NAS) published its report titled, ``Improving Motor Carrier
Safety Measurement,'' which contained recommendations for improvement
in measuring performance. If confirmed, I would push forward with a
plan to move forward with this work.
Question 7. What major truck safety initiatives do you plan to take
to improve truck safety?
Having worked in State government for many years, I truly
appreciate the role the states play in highway safety. I would ensure
the effective implementation of FMCSA's grant programs, including the
amendments included in the FAST Act that were intended to consolidate
programs and reduce administrative burdens on states. I also believe
impaired driving is a serious issue. The abuse of opioids, for example,
has become a nationwide epidemic, and FMCSA must consider ways of
addressing this issue among commercial drivers.
Truck Driver Fatigue. Truck driver fatigue is a well-known safety
problem. Large truck drivers can operate very long shifts without
adequate sleep, on constantly changing schedules that conflict with
biological circadian rhythms. Studies show that driver fatigue is a
factor in up to as many as 31 percent of truck crashes.
For the second time in a row, the National Transportation Safety
Board's (NTSB) Most Wanted List for 2017-18 includes ``Reduce fatigue-
related accidents.'' According to the NTSB, ``fatigue degrades a
person's ability to stay awake, alert, and attentive to the demands of
controlling their vehicle safely.''
Question 8. If confirmed as Administrator of FMCSA, what immediate
actions have you identified that the agency can take to combat truck
driver fatigue?
Answer. Driver fatigue is a major risk factor associated with
commercial motor vehicle (CMV) crashes. Preventing the fatigued
operation of CMVs is a complex challenge, one that requires the effort
of FMCSA, state and local governments, industry, and drivers'
associations and unions. Currently, FMCSA is a key partner with
industry in providing education and training for commercial drivers and
carriers. This work is intended to address overall work-rest schedules,
and balancing family and work life in a manner that enables the driver
to rest during off-duty periods. If confirmed I will continue these
efforts and work with stakeholders and Congress to address driver
fatigue.
Regulations Required by Congress. Congress as part of the Fixing
America's Surface Transportation Act (FAST Act, Pub. L. No. 114-94) and
the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21, Pub. L.
112-141) has required FMCSA to conduct several studies and issue safety
regulations. Many of these tasks have yet to be completed.
Question 9. If you are confirmed as Administrator of FMCSA, will
you commit to moving forward and completing the rulemakings and studies
required by Congress?
Answer. If confirmed, I will continue FMCSA's efforts to address
the requirements under MAP-21 and FAST Act.
Motorcoach Safety Scores. According to the American Bus Association
(ABA) Motorcoach Census, in 2014 there were 604 million passenger trips
on motorcoaches. This amounts to over 1.65 million per day. In Section
32707 of the Moving Ahead for Progress in the 21st Century Act (MAP-21,
Pub. L. 112-141) Congress directed the Federal Motor Carrier Safety
Administration (FMCSA) to assign safety ratings to all motorcoach
service providers by October 2015.
Question 10. Mr. Martinez, has the FMCSA assigned a safety rating
to all motor carriers registered in the United States?
Answer. FMCSA has fully implemented the provisions of the MAP-21
reauthorization bill requiring all companies operating motor coaches to
be assigned a safety rating every three years and new motor coach
carriers to receive a rating within two years.
Question 11. If not, how many carriers have yet to receive a safety
rating and will you commit to ensuring that those carriers receive a
safety rating within one year of your confirmation?
It is my understanding that MAP-21 requirements apply specifically
to companies operating motor coaches. As noted in my previous response,
FMCSA has successfully implemented those requirements and is assigning
safety ratings every 3 years and within 2 years for new companies. If
confirmed, it would be my intention to comply with the provision of
MAP-21.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Cory Booker to
Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. Electronic Logging Devices. During your confirmation
hearing you described the benefits of electronic logging devices. Do
you believe electronic logging devices should be implemented in all
trucks?
Answer. If confirmed, I will continue FMCSA's efforts to implement
the provisions of the MAP-21 reauthorization bill requiring electronic
logging devices. In doing that, I will continue to listen to the
concerns of all stakeholders.
Speed Limiters. The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
(NHTSA) found that between 2004 and 2013, there were on average 1,044
fatalities annually in crashes in which the speed of a heavy vehicle
likely contributed to the severity of the crashes. In 2006, safety and
industry groups petitioned the NHTSA and FMCSA for a regulation
requiring speed governors in heavy trucks to be set to limit top speeds
to improve safety and conserve fuel. In September of 2016, the Federal
Motor Carrier Safety Administration (FMCSA) and NHTSA issued a proposed
rule to mandate the use of speed limiters in heavy vehicles. The agency
stated in that proposal that ``[s]tudies examining the relationship
between travel speed and crash severity have confirmed the common-sense
conclusion that the severity of a crash increases with travel speed.
Impact force during a crash is related to vehicle speed, and even small
increases in speed have large effects on the force of impact.'' The
agency concluded that limiting the speed of heavy vehicles to 60 mph
could save as many as 498 lives and prevent as many as 10,857 injuries
annually.
Question 2. During you confirmation hearing, you indicated a need
to examine the cost benefit analysis around the use of speed limiters
on trucks. Given the strong evidence that reducing the speed of trucks
saves lives, do you support the use of speed limiters on trucks and if
confirmed will you work to expand the use of speed limiters?
Answer. I believe that safety technologies can play a major role in
reducing roadway crashes. FMCSA should continue to support
technological improvements and encourage voluntary implementation of
safety technology. The issue is whether the benefits are sufficient to
outweigh the costs of a Federal one-size-fits-all rule. Any new Federal
requirement will undoubtedly increase the cost of shipping goods by
truck and will affect both consumers and drivers. However, any decision
about proposing a new rule, such as a speed limiter, should be based on
sound analysis of data and a consideration of all points of view. To
this end, if confirmed, I will work with the experts at FMCSA to
explore the expanded use of automatic emergency braking and other
technologies that have the potential to improve safety on our Nation's
highways.
Obstructive Sleep Apnea (OSA). This week the National
Transportation Safety Board held a hearing on a 2016 crash between a
motorcoach and a truck near Palm Springs, CA. One of the determinations
made was that the truck driver most likely fell asleep ``due to fatigue
related to his undiagnosed, moderate-to-severe obstructive sleep
apnea.'' As a result of this crash, the bus driver and 12 passengers
died and more than 30 people were injured. This crash highlights the
serious and tragic consequences of OSA.
Question 3. Do you believe commercial driver's license (CDL)
holders afflicted with OSA should be required to receive treatment
before being permitted to operate a motorcoach or large truck?
Answer. I believe that we should address any health issues of CDL
drivers that pose a problem for public safety.
Question 4. FMCSA has identified this issue as a significant threat
to public safety. What steps will you take to ensure that drivers with
OSA are being diagnosed and are receiving proper treatment?
Answer. It is my understanding that FMCSA issued a bulletin to the
healthcare professionals on its National Registry of Certified Medical
Examiners of the current physical qualifications standard and advisory
criteria concerning the respiratory system. The bulletin explains how
the requirements apply to drivers that may have obstructive sleep apnea
(OSA). Also that FMCSA is currently working on a revision of its OSA
bulletin to incorporate the 2016 recommendations of the Agency's
Medical Review Board.
Question 5. If you are confirmed as Administrator of FMCSA, will
you commit to review the agency's decision to withdraw the previous
rulemaking and report to this Committee on your findings?
Answer. If I am confirmed, I would be open to reviewing any new
evidence or any new technology regarding sleep apnea.
Minimum Insurance. A fatal, multi-vehicle truck accident can cost
over $20 million to compensate families, care for the injured, and pay
for the destruction of our Nation's highway infrastructure. However,
the requirement to carry at least $750,000 in minimum insurance has not
been increased in 30 years, even to account for inflation, which has
led to taxpayers having to foot the bill in the aftermath of major
truck accidents. If the minimum level was raised to an adequate level
of around $4 million, according to Dawson Transportation Services, most
small carriers would just see their premiums increase $1,750.
Question 6. If confirmed, do you commit to working to raise the
minimum insurance levels?
The issue of minimum levels of financial responsibility is complex
and continuing discussion between FMCSA and stakeholders (e.g., the
insurance industry, State agencies, transportation industry
associations, safety advocacy groups, etc.) is necessary to fully
understand all the factors that should be considered in determining the
appropriate levels of insurance. If confirmed, I would work with
stakeholders and my colleagues at FMCSA to better understand what
additional data would be needed in order to fully evaluate an increase
in minimum insurance.
Question 7. Automatic Braking Systems. In the hearing, you
supported the use of technology to address safety challenges, including
the use of automatic braking systems. What specific steps do you plan
to take at the Department to advance the use of automatic braking
systems?
Answer. I support the utilization of proven and effective advanced
safety technologies and will work to identify measures which can
accelerate the voluntary adoption of these technologies such as
automatic emergency braking and other collision mitigation systems. I
will work with our stakeholders across the commercial motor vehicle
community such as manufacturers, suppliers, fleets, safety advocates,
and drivers to leverage their expertise and support. Whether or not
these technologies are appropriate for rulemaking would require more
study and data.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto
to Raymond P. Martinez
Question 1. Human Trafficking. Please address your potential plans,
or personal history, on addressing our crisis of human trafficking in
the U.S., and internationally.
Answer. If confirmed, I would work closely with the agencies that
have lead roles in addressing human trafficking to ensure that FMCSA is
providing all the support it can. At a minimum, I will ensure that
FMCSA investigators and our State partners continue to be aware of red
flags that may indicate the presence of human trafficking in a vehicle
or company and know how to engage the proper law enforcement agencies.
SMART Communities. I have introduced the Moving FIRST Act to create
additional competitive Federal funding opportunities for these
communities and would encourage the administration to supportive of
such efforts to help improve safety, connect more of our constituents
and tackle various difficult quality of life realities.
In your testimony, you highlight transportation data and analysis
for safety and congestion.
Question 2. How much exposure have you had to the concept of smart
communities, where innovation and technologies are being implemented to
tackle challenges from congestion and development, to transportation
access and environmental concerns?
Answer. As the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission Chair and Chief
Administrator, I have worked with the Governor's office and local
governments as we endeavored to promote intelligent transportation
systems and its promise of safer and more efficient travel.
Question 3. Is it something you are supportive of?
The idea of harnessing technology to improve transportation
networks is something I have long supported. We must be cognizant of
ways to integrate technology in effective ways.
Truck Drivers.
Question 4. While there are various issues you'll have before you
that impact trucking businesses and safety, what do you see as two or
three priorities you can do on behalf of truck drivers?
Answer. The biggest priority for FMCSA is to ensure our highways
are as safe as possible for all Americans, and particularly truck and
bus drivers that make their living traveling our highways. In addition,
I will ensure FMCSA actively enforces its regulations prohibiting
harassment and coercion of drivers so that they are free to operate
their vehicles safely without pressures or retaliation from their
employers.
Question 5. What can you do in this role to improve their quality
of life or everyday work environment for the over 10,000 truck drivers,
and roughly 90,000 CDL (commercial driver's license) holders in Nevada?
Answer. I fully appreciate that truck and bus drivers keep America
moving. If confirmed, I will ensure that FMCSA rulemakings and programs
fully consider the impacts to drivers. In addition, I will open a
dialog to seek input from the driving community on how FMCSA can serve
them better.
Safety.
Question 6. In your questionnaire, you reference your eagerness to
``focus on higher risk carriers.'' Can you define what those operations
look like to you?
Answer. FMCSA has used data to identify those behaviors common to
carriers that have higher crash rates. The Agency uses available
carrier safety data to identify similar trends in violation data. Using
this information, FMCSA identifies and prioritizes those carriers for
investigations by FMCSA or state law enforcement resources. If
confirmed, I will ensure that FMCSA continues to prioritize
investigations on these higher risk carriers.
Question 7. And what do you have in mind to raise the bar of safety
to protect everyone on the road from those type of carriers?
Answer. I believe that to continue to improve safety we must use a
multi-faceted approach that is rooted in data, and incorporates a wide
variety of strategies including outreach and education in addition to
compliance and enforcement activities.
Question 8. Specifically, I'd ask about ensuring the safety of
detrimental bus operations. Nevada is a tourist destination, and we
have significant number of visitors we welcome to the state by way of a
bus or tour company. What can you say to commit that they will be able
to safety to and from places like Las Vegas or the Hoover Dam?
Answer. If I am confirmed, passenger carrier safety will remain as
one of our highest priorities at FMCSA. Inspecting buses in highly
populated areas is challenging due to the specialized nature of the bus
inspections and the space and equipment needed to inspect a large bus
or motor coach. FMCSA and State Agencies may not conduct en route
inspections and are limited to identifying locations where buses will
be when they are empty, and then the facilities must be adequate for
the inspection. That would include what are called ``destination''
inspections at locations such as theme parks, sporting events or resort
areas.
I will ensure that FMCSA continues to execute the provisions of the
MAP-21 authorization bill requiring regular investigations of certain
bus companies, and will continue to find way to identify those carriers
most at risk of having a crash. In addition, I will work to refine the
algorithm for identifying carriers that go out of business and then
reestablish themselves under another name to avoid compliance, known as
``reincarnating.''
Finally, motorcoaches have been required to have seat belts
installed since November of 2016. I will work to increase compliance
for seat belt use in motorcoaches by having passenger carrier and
outreach offices work side by side with the industry and users of buses
to ensure passengers know the importance of using this critical safety
equipment.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. John Thune to
Bruce S. Landsberg
Question. In 2010, Congress directed the Federal Aviation
Administration (FAA) to update flight and duty time regulations. In
crafting these rules, the agency made a distinction between operations
conducted by passenger and cargo pilots and, after a thorough cost-
benefit analysis, the FAA excluded cargo pilots from the rule. In March
of last year, the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit denied a
petition challenging this rule. In doing so, the court found that the
FAA acted within its discretion to exempt cargo operations from part
117 rules.
Could you further explain your thoughts on this rule and if you
believe that a one-size-fits-all approach to safety is appropriate,
particularly given the large variance in the operational considerations
between cargo and passenger carriers, fatigue management plans already
in place, and total hours flown? While the NTSB is not required to take
costs into consideration in making recommendations, isn't it
appropriate for agencies promulgating rules to do so?
Answer. Fatigue is certainly an issue for pilots in all operations
and I also recognize that regulatory agencies should consider costs and
benefit before promulgating rules in any area. A one-size-fits-all
approach is, in certain circumstances, not the best solution,
especially in the expanse of safety. Certainly, a risk-based approach
to resolving safety issues is a preferred methodology to improving and
enhancing a safe operational environment.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Bill Nelson to
Bruce S. Landsberg
1,500 Hour Rule. Important lessons were learned in the wake of the
2009 crash of Colgan
Flight 3407 near Buffalo, NY. Congress passed comprehensive
legislation to address various safety concerns, including a mandate
that all airline pilots must have at least 1,500 hours of flight
experience to qualify for certification. Previously, ``first officers''
(or co-pilots) were required to have a mere 250 hours of experience.
Question 1. You have been critical of what is now known as the
``1,500 Hour Rule.''
Please clarify your position on the Rule. Do you support and
acknowledge the 1,500 Hour Rule as the law of the land?
Answer. The NTSB found the Colgan accident to be due to the
Captain's poor airmanship, poor hiring and retention practices and
inadequate transition training. FAA's poor oversight and fatigue were
also cited. Not cited, however, was the first officer and her lack of
experience or training as it related to minimum flight hours. Improved
system safety is based on the many changes, including parts of the
Airline Safety Rule, that occurred after the crash. The NTSB made 24
recommendations after Colgan and many were implemented. I concur with
those recommendations.
I acknowledge the 1,500 hour rule is the current law of the land.
My review and resulting recommendations of any accident will be based
on the facts of that accident, data analysis and casual trends. I
strongly believe in compliance with all rules and standards and believe
that quality training programs and oversight provide a higher level of
safety.
Third Class Medical. In 2016, Congress passed legislation that
substantially revised the
Third Class Medical procedures applicable to general aviation
pilots. AOPA was the chief proponent of legislation to modify Third
Class Medical procedures. The proposal generated significant
controversy and a compromise was eventually adopted.
Question 2.What is your position on the modification of general
aviation pilot medical procedures? Did you support AOPA's original
proposal? Are the compromise procedures sufficient to preserve safety?
What additional modifications or refinements would be prudent?
Answer. I applaud the compromise reached by this Committee and the
Congress and that the new law is sufficient to preserve safety. The
data reveal that there are very few accidents caused by medical
incapacitation in Part 91 operations. I am particularly encouraged by
the medical education requirement in the new law.
I am confident that the NTSB and FAA will be monitoring this area
closely for changes in the medical incapacitation accident rate as we
go forward.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Maria Cantwell to
Bruce S. Landsberg
The FAA's first officer qualification and training requirements
enacted by regulation in 2013 were prompted by Congress in 2010
following multiple fatal airline accident investigations that
identified the pilots' lack of flight experience and training as
factors in the accidents. There are some within the industry who have
expressed strong opposition to these rules, although there is no
consensus across the industry about whether a genuine pilot shortage
currently exists.
Since the bill was enacted, U.S. aviation has enjoyed its safest
period in history. During that same period, while you worked for AOPA,
you wrote critically against the 1,500 hour rule, calling it ``an
undesirable outcome.''
Question 1. Do you continue to believe that the 1,500 hour rule is
unnecessary, or do you believe that it has not improved the safety of
our commercial air system?
Answer. As previously stated, I believe in performance-based
criteria, as opposed to a standard that is not supported by any
empirical evidence.
Question 2. If confirmed, will you be hesitant to point out
instances where more training in any mode of transportation is needed
as a result of your involvement with the 1,500 hour rule?
Answer. If the data support that additional training (or
experience) is needed in any mode to enhance safety, I would never
hesitate to make such a recommendation.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Richard Blumenthal to
Bruce S. Landsberg
Outstanding safety recommendations. One issue I have raised
repeatedly in this committee concerns outstanding safety
recommendations from the NTSB to the myriad agencies and industries
that NTSB investigates. As you know, they are only recommendations--
they are not mandates.
Question. How will you ensure that agencies and entities carry them
out?
Answer. NTSB serves as a safety advocate which cannot, by its
enabling legislation, force a regulatory agency to enact a
recommendation. However, it is entirely appropriate for NTSB to make
its recommendations known to the regulatory authority, the respective
industry and the public in order to approve safety all modes of
transportation. If confirmed, I will work with my fellow Board Members
to advocate for adoption of NTSB recommendations.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Catherine Cortez Masto
to Bruce S. Landsberg
Question 1. Past NTSB Recommendations. Are there current, or past,
NTSB recommendations you have taken exception to, or have disagreed
with in the past?
Answer. I do not believe so.
Question 2. If yes, roughly how many recommendations or
investigation assessments do you think you've opposed or disagreed with
over the years? N/A
Question 3. Can you please provide some of the specifics of those
circumstances?
Answer. N/A
Question 4. How do you rate the importance of cost-benefits when
determining safety rulemakings or recommendations, especially in your
potential role with the NTSB?
Answer. NTSB is not charged with conducting cost-benefit analysis
but recommendations are not made in a vacuum. There will be cases where
significant benefit can be achieved at acceptable cost and the
regulatory agencies will be more likely to adopt quickly. As technology
advances, follow-on improvements can often be made to improve safety
even more.
Hazardous Materials by Rail. In your questionnaire, you underscored
your responsibility of ``supporting the (NTSB) Chairman'' and
highlighted ``continuing to expand understanding of human factors
across modes, including complacency, distraction and fatigue'' in your
list of challenges for NTSB.
And the NTSB Chairman has previously noted for us that ``Since
1969, the NTSB has investigated 148 rail accidents that could have been
prevented if an operational positive train control (PTC) system been in
place.'' I note this, because rail safety, and the possible shipment of
nuclear waste is an incredibly important safety issue, not just for me,
but for the 44 states, and over 300 congressional districts, who would
see this product traverse through their communities.
Question 1. In your expert safety opinion, do you think there would
be safety concerns with large amounts of nuclear waste traveling from
say Minnesota, Texas, or Mississippi, all the way to Nevada, by rail?
Answer. There are always safety concerns with the transport of any
hazardous cargo whether by rail or vehicle. Clearly, we need to ensure
that necessary precautions are taken to manage risks.
Question 2. For example, are you aware if we even have a safe and
certified rail car available to move spent nuclear fuel?
Answer. I am not aware of the availability such rail cars, but, if
confirmed, I will continue to seek to learn more about this issue.
Question 3. Would you think it would be a logical expectation that
we wouldn't move significant amounts of nuclear waste by rail until
those operations have trustworthy innovations like PTC and ECP brakes
more roundly installed, and utilized, by the industry?
Answer. As previously stated, I believe that the transport of any
hazardous cargo requires necessary precautions to be taken in order to
manage risks. Measures such as those recommended by the NTSB are
necessary to ensure safety, and if confirmed I pledge to look further
into this issue.
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