[Senate Hearing 116-640]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office]
S. Hrg. 116-640
NOMINATIONS TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD,
AND THE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
=======================================================================
HEARING
before the
COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE,
SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
UNITED STATES SENATE
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
__________
AUGUST 6, 2020
__________
Printed for the use of the Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation
[GRAPHIC NOT AVAILABLE IN TIFF FORMAT]
Available online: http://www.govinfo.gov
______
U.S. GOVERNMENT PUBLISHING OFFICE
54-589 PDF WASHINGTON : 2024
SENATE COMMITTEE ON COMMERCE, SCIENCE, AND TRANSPORTATION
ONE HUNDRED SIXTEENTH CONGRESS
SECOND SESSION
ROGER WICKER, Mississippi, Chairman
JOHN THUNE, South Dakota MARIA CANTWELL, Washington,
ROY BLUNT, Missouri Ranking
TED CRUZ, Texas AMY KLOBUCHAR, Minnesota
DEB FISCHER, Nebraska RICHARD BLUMENTHAL, Connecticut
JERRY MORAN, Kansas BRIAN SCHATZ, Hawaii
DAN SULLIVAN, Alaska EDWARD MARKEY, Massachusetts
CORY GARDNER, Colorado TOM UDALL, New Mexico
MARSHA BLACKBURN, Tennessee GARY PETERS, Michigan
SHELLEY MOORE CAPITO, West Virginia TAMMY BALDWIN, Wisconsin
MIKE LEE, Utah TAMMY DUCKWORTH, Illinois
RON JOHNSON, Wisconsin JON TESTER, Montana
TODD YOUNG, Indiana KYRSTEN SINEMA, Arizona
RICK SCOTT, Florida JACKY ROSEN, Nevada
John Keast, Staff Director
Crystal Tully, Deputy Staff Director
Steven Wall, 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 August 6, 2020................................... 1
Statement of Senator Wicker...................................... 1
Statement of Senator Cantwell.................................... 3
Statement of Senator Young....................................... 4
Statement of Senator Moran....................................... 48
Statement of Senator Blumenthal.................................. 50
Statement of Senator Baldwin..................................... 53
Statement of Senator Tester...................................... 54
Statement of Senator Rosen....................................... 56
Witnesses
Hon. Richard Durbin, U.S. Senator from Illinois.................. 5
Eric Soskin, Nominee to be Inspector General, Department of
Transportation................................................. 6
Prepared statement........................................... 7
Biographical information..................................... 9
Robert E. Primus, Nominee to be a Member, Surface Transportation
Board.......................................................... 19
Prepared statement........................................... 20
Biographical information..................................... 21
Sarah E. Feinberg, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of
Directors...................................................... 28
Prepared statement........................................... 30
Biographical information..................................... 30
Chris Koos, Nominee to be a Director, Amtrak Board of Directors.. 36
Prepared statement........................................... 38
Biographical information..................................... 40
Appendix
Response to written question submitted to Eric Soskin by:
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 59
Response to written questions submitted to Robert E. Primus by:
Hon. Roger Wicker............................................ 59
Hon. Marsha Blackburn........................................ 59
Response to written questions submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to:
Sarah Feinberg............................................... 60
Chris Koos................................................... 60
NOMINATIONS TO
THE DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION,
SURFACE TRANSPORTATION BOARD,
AND THE AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
----------
THURSDAY, AUGUST 6, 2020
U.S. Senate,
Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation,
Washington, DC.
The Committee met, pursuant to notice, at 10 a.m. in room
SR-253, Russell Senate Office Building, Hon. Roger Wicker,
Chairman of the Committee, presiding.
Present: Senators Wicker [presiding], Cantwell, Young,
Durbin, Moran, Blumenthal, Baldwin, Tester, and Rosen.
OPENING STATEMENT OF HON. ROGER WICKER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MISSISSIPPI
Senator Wicker. This Full Committee Nomination hearing will
come to order.
This morning, the Committee will consider four nominations
to key transportation positions within our jurisdiction. The
nominees before us today are Eric Soskin, the nominee to be
Inspector General for the Department of Transportation; Robert
Primus, who's been nominated to be a Member of the Surface
Transportation Board; Sarah Feinberg, nominated to be a
Director of the Amtrak Board of Directors; and Chris Koos,
who's been nominated to be a Director on the Amtrak Board of
Directors.
The Inspector General for the Department of Transportation
oversees critical audits and investigations of DOT's programs
with the end goal of ensuring that our national transportation
system is safe, efficient, and effective for the American
people.
Eric Soskin has been nominated for this important role. Mr.
Soskin is a Senior Trial Counsel in the Federal Programs Branch
at the U.S. Department of Justice where he has served since
2006.
During his tenure at the Justice Department, he has managed
complex litigation and he was chosen for a detail assignment as
policy counsel in the Office of the Assistant Attorney General,
Civil Division.
Earlier in his career, Mr. Soskin served as clerk for a
Federal District Court judge.
He is a graduate of Williams College and earned his law
degree from Harvard Law School.
As the independent Federal agency which handles the
economic regulation of various modes of surface transportation,
the work of the Surface Transportation Board is vital.
Robert Primus has been nominated to serve as a Member of
the Surface Transportation Board. He has a distinguished record
as a long-time staff member to multiple members of the U.S.
House of Representatives. He has served in senior roles in the
House, including Chief of Staff and Senior Advisor.
While working with former Congressman Michael Capuano
during the time he was Ranking Member of the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Subcommittees on Railroads,
Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials, Mr. Primus gained valuable
expertise on matters involving rail policy.
His legislative experience includes work on the Surface
Transportation Reauthorization Act of 2015.
After graduating from Hampton University, Mr. Primus began
his career on the Hill with the late Senator Frank Lautenberg,
a distinguished member of this committee.
The Amtrak Board of Directors provides guidance and
direction to National Railroad Passenger Corporation or Amtrak.
Sarah Feinberg is one of the two nominees before the
Committee today to be a Director of the Amtrak Board of
Directors and she joins us by video link.
Ms. Feinberg has notable experience in passenger rail
matters. She is currently the Interim President of New York
City Transit, the largest transit system in North America.
From 2015 to 2017, she served as the Acting Administrator
and Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration and
while serving in this role, she was Transportation Secretary
Anthony Fox's designee to the Amtrak Board.
Ms. Feinberg formerly served as Chief of Staff at the U.S.
Department of Transportation, in private sector roles and as a
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the
Chief of Staff under President Obama.
Mayor Chris Koos has also been nominated to serve on the
Amtrak Board of Directors and he, too, joins us today by video.
Mayor Koos has served as the Mayor of Normal, Illinois,
since 2003 and a principal achievement for his municipality
during this time was the development and construction of a
multimodal station servicing Amtrak ridership in downstate
Illinois on Lincoln Service Texas Eagle Trains.
Previously, he served as council member for the Town of
Normal and he is a small business owner. He served our country
as an Infantry Platoon Leader with the Army's 101st Airborne
Air Mobile Division in Vietnam.
I want to thank all the nominees for testifying today and
for your willingness to serve in these important and
instrumental transportation sector roles.
And I also want to thank Senator Cantwell for her
cooperation in our preparation for this hearing and recognize
her now for any opening remarks.
STATEMENT OF HON. MARIA CANTWELL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WASHINGTON
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Today, we have nominees for three agencies with extremely
important transportation missions. The first is the Amtrak
Board of Directors.
Amtrak faces a series of critical challenges in the near
future as we deal with the severe decline in travel as a result
of the COVID-19 pandemic. In an effort to address these
challenges, Amtrak's management has proposed severe cuts in
service, including reducing long-distance trains to 3 days a
week and deep staffing reductions.
I'm very concerned that these cuts may significantly harm
communities served by Amtrak and threaten the long-term
viability of our national rail network.
I hope that my colleagues will step up in this next COVID
package and make sure that there is support for Amtrak, the
communities, and the work force.
Amtrak also needs leadership and I'm pleased that we have
two excellent nominees for the Amtrak Board of Directors here.
Sarah Feinberg served as the Administrator of the Federal
Railroad Administration, as the Chair mentioned, from 2015 to
2017, and in her current role as President of New York City
Transit.
So during her time at FRA, she also sat on the Amtrak Board
and is well aware of the challenges facing Amtrak and the
importance of rail service to communities across the Nation.
We're also joined by Chris Koos, Mayor of Normal, Illinois.
Mr. Koos' city is served by two Amtrak routes, including one
long-distance line, the Texas Eagle. So he's very familiar with
Amtrak's operations and keenly aware of the value it provides
to small-and mid-sized communities.
We are joined by Robert Primus, who was nominated to serve
as a Member of the Surface Transportation Board. The STB plays
a very important role in resolving railroad rate and service
disputes as well as reviewing railroad mergers and
restructuring activities.
So Mr. Primus has had a long career as a congressional
staffer, including working on these activities in the House
Transportation Infrastructure, and so I look forward to hearing
his views on these very important issues.
And, finally, we have the nomination of Eric Soskin to be
the Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Transportation.
The Inspector General of DOT plays a key role in not only
preventing waste, fraud, and abuse, but also ensuring that the
agency carries out its core safety mission for our Nation's
transportation network.
One area the IG is currently investigating is the Federal
Aviation Administration's certification of the 737 Max and the
FAA's subsequent response to two crashes involved in the
aircraft.
I would mention, Mr. Chairman, I saw yesterday a fine by
the FAA on South Carolina for intimidation of employees who
were part of the FAA certification process, the very issue that
we tried to fix in our legislation that we've worked on
together, and the very legislation that, when the Administrator
was before the Committee, basically told us he didn't agree
that there were any problems and yet now we see them issuing
fines.
So clearly there is a problem and clearly there is
intimidation and we want an independent workforce who is going
to basically let the engineers be engineers, let them do the
work and not have fear of intimidation or reparation.
So, anyway, I look at an interesting development yesterday,
Mr. Chairman, and looking forward to getting back to those
issues.
So the Inspector General Act of 1978 specifically states
the IG should be appointed without regard to political
affiliation and solely based on integrity and demonstrated
ability in accounting, auditing, financial analysis, law,
management analysis, and public 0 administration or
Investigation.
So, Mr. Soskin, I will be asking you questions because I am
concerned that I want to know that you have the experience that
lines up with this important position that oversees so many
infrastructure jobs in the United States and definitely plan to
ask you a question.
The White House expressed its intent to nominate Mr. Soskin
on May 15. This is the same day that the former Acting
Inspector General Mitch Behm, a long-time employee of the DOT
Inspector's Office, was removed by the President. So I'm
concerned about the timing of these things. So I hope we can
spend some time addressing those concerns today.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman, for this hearing and look
forward to hearing from the nominees.
Senator Wicker. Thank you very much, Senator Cantwell.
Two of our members would like to say words of introduction
and I'd now turn to Senator Young.
STATEMENT OF HON. TODD YOUNG,
U.S. SENATOR FROM INDIANA
Senator Young. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I am delighted today to introduce to the Committee and to
the Senate the nominee for Inspector General for the Department
of Transportation Eric Soskin.
Eric is a fellow Hoosier. We had an opportunity to speak on
the phone yesterday and Eric spent his formative years in the
Indianapolis area, as I did. By and large, Eric's experience as
a career civil servant and his valuable expertise in the law
will bring confidence to the important position that he aspires
to hold at DOT.
Following his early years in Indiana, Eric went on to study
mathematics and political economy at Williams College and
graduated with high honors from Harvard Law School.
Today, Eric serves as a Senior Trial Counsel for the
Department of Justice where he has successfully spearheaded
major litigation about the Constitution, administrative law,
and national security for numerous agencies across the U.S.
Government over the last 14 years. So he has extensive
experience.
Prior to joining the DOJ, Eric clerked for Judge Paul S.
Diamond in the U.S. District Court for Eastern Pennsylvania.
Thus far, Eric has built a reputation as an exemplary civil
servant and a tremendous legal advocate, and I'm delighted that
he's taking on the challenge of Inspector General at the
Department of Transportation.
He has great potential to bring objectivity,
accountability, and integrity to DOT, which is precisely what
we want from this position. Eric, thank you. Thank you for
someone with your incredible credentials, someone of your
caliber and clearly your heart for service, for your desire to
serve in this capacity.
Mr. Chairman, I thank you for the opportunity to introduce
this great Hoosier to this committee.
Senator Wicker. Thank you very, very much, Senator Young.
I'm told that Senator Durbin is ready to join us via video
link. Are you there, Richard?
STATEMENT OF HON. DICK DURBIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM ILLINOIS
Senator Durbin. I'm here. Can you hear me?
Senator Wicker. Yes.
Senator Durbin. Good. Senator Wicker and Senator Cantwell,
thank you for giving me a few moments to introduce Chris Koos,
the Mayor of Normal, Illinois.
Chris has been a dear friend of mine for years. Those of us
who are fortunate enough to represent small town America, Rural
America know that there's an ongoing battle to save downtown,
virtually every one of those communities.
The Town of Normal, Illinois, has done that under the
leadership of its Mayor Chris Koos who's been in that position
for 17 years. The most important element in saving Downtown
Normal for this hearing is the fact that he centered it on the
Amtrak service in Downtown Normal.
You see, Normal turns out to be the Number 2 station in the
state of Illinois for Amtrak passengers, over 240,000 a year.
It's the home of Illinois State University and Illinois
Wesleyan University. There are lots of students moving back and
forth, as you can imagine.
Chris decided to build an intermodal facility in Downtown
Normal as kind of the anchor for the redevelopment of downtown.
I helped him to secure a $22 million TIGER grant and we moved
forward with a beautiful facility. He capitalized on that and
turned it into a $173 million more of investment in downtown.
You have to see it to believe it. It really does make you feel
good that Amtrak is at the heart of this effort.
Chris is an Amtrak passenger. As you mentioned, Senator
Wicker, at the outset, he is also a small business man in the
Normal community. He always wants to keep people moving. His
business sells running shoes and bicycles. So, in addition to
his love for Amtrak, he certainly has a passion for people on
the move.
I'm glad to be giving a few words of support for Chris
today. He's a dear friend of mine. He's tackled challenges and
has a vision which I think Amtrak will benefit from.
It was Chris Koos who decided that his Town of Normal would
electrify all of the vehicles the town used and for that, he
received national recognition. He's just a step ahead time and
time again.
I'm honored to call him a friend and I think he'll be a
great asset when it comes to the future of Amtrak.
Senator Wicker. Well, thank you very, very much, Senator
Durbin, and also Senator Young. We appreciate you spending time
with us today and vouching for these nominees. So thank you so
much.
At this point, I want to recognize the witnesses for
opening statements. As is the custom, your full statements will
be placed in the record at this point and we ask that you
summarize your testimony in 5 minutes or under.
So, Mr. Soskin, you are recognized for your statement.
Welcome.
STATEMENT OF ERIC SOSKIN, NOMINEE TO BE INSPECTOR GENERAL,
DEPARTMENT OF TRANSPORTATION
Mr. Soskin. Senator Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
distinguished members of this Committee, thank you for the
opportunity to appear before you today. I appreciate your
consent for placing my full statement in the record which I
will summarize here.
Thank you all for arranging this hearing consistent with
public health guidance.
Thank you also to the President for nominating me to serve
as the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation.
It is a profound honor.
I'd also like to thank Senator Young of my home state of
Indiana for his words of introduction. Our great Hoosier state
always remains the place I long to see and be.
I'm likewise grateful for the support of my family,
friends, and colleagues, especially my wife, Miran, a
naturalized U.S. citizen who came fearlessly to this country as
an adult to study accounting and to realize her dreams. She
inspires me every day and has made me the luckiest person I
know.
I would also like to thank our two children, Aaron and Lev,
who bring so much curiosity and joy to my life. I am so proud
to be the father of each of you.
At an early age, I learned that public service is a high
calling and have aspired to heed that call. My father, a
lawyer, was a leader in fighting to protect the civil rights of
institutionalized persons. My mother began her career as a
librarian before becoming an expert on emerging technologies,
education, and training.
My career in public service has also been inspired by many
mentors along the way. I wish I had the time to recognize them
all today for the roles they have played.
Since entering Harvard Law School in 2002, I have been
committed to public service, joining the Department of Justice
as a career civil servant and representing the United States
with independence and integrity for nearly 14 years.
As a litigator with the Federal Programs Branch, I provide
leadership in a vast array of matters, representing agencies
from across the entire Executive Branch in legally difficult,
high stakes, and politically sensitive lawsuits that affect the
lives of millions of Americans or involve hundreds of millions
of dollars of taxpayer funds.
Managing many of these cases at one time as a generalist,
one of my core skills is digging deeply into the complex
details of new statutes, programs, and factual situations to
quickly understand the issues and objectively assess the
challenges they entail.
Law enforcement agencies are among my most important
clients and my practice involves leading cross-functional
teams, directing factual investigations, and communicating
orally and in writing with many types of stakeholders.
Throughout my career with the Department of Justice across
three Administrations, I have upheld the highest standards of
professionalism of the department.
These are all skills that will lend themselves directly to
my successful tenure as Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation. My experience working across government
agencies has led me to recognize the critical role of the
Inspector General in each agency in combating waste, fraud, and
abuse, and advancing efficiency and effectiveness in the
delivery of government programs.
An IG should be, like me, a leader passionate about
upholding public confidence in our Federal institutions and
sustaining our democracy by ensuring accountability and thereby
delivering the results the public is entitled to expect from
their government.
As IG, I will provide oversight to the department and
ensure that core DOT values are upheld, including safety for
the traveling public and efficiency in the department's
programs to sustain and improve the arteries of public
prosperity.
Beyond my experience and dedication to public service, I
bring to the job of Inspector General a trained, fresh eye,
accustomed to looking at complex situations and establishing
priorities. This is a vital skill in an office that routinely
initiates new audits and investigations to safeguard taxpayer
funds and to ensure that the department adheres to the letter
of the law and the established will of Congress.
I would be honored to lead the Office of Inspector General
and staff of talented career civil servants in accordance with
Congress's commands of independence and objectivity.
If confirmed, I will act with integrity and be honest and
impartial in continuing the office's work. My team and I will
use the tools established by Congress in the IG Act to provide
accountability, promote transportation safety, and enhance
public confidence while maintaining the office's high standards
of clear, timely, and transparent communications with you, the
rest of the Congress, and the public.
Thank you again for this opportunity to be considered by
the Senate and to appear before you. I sincerely appreciate
your time and look forward to answering your questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Soskin follow:]
Prepared Statement of Eric Soskin, Nominee to be Inspector General,
Department of Transportation
Senator Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished Members
of this Committee, thank you for the opportunity to appear before you
today. Thank you all for arranging this hearing consistent with public
health guidance. Thank you also to the President for nominating me to
serve as the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation. It
is a profound honor. I'd also like to thank Senator Young of my home
state of Indiana for his words of introduction. Our great Hoosier State
always remains the place I long to see and be.
I am likewise grateful for the support of my family, friends, and
colleagues, especially my wife, Miran, a naturalized U.S. citizen who
came fearlessly to this country as an adult to study accounting and
realize her dreams. She inspires me every day and has made me the
luckiest person I know. I would also like to thank our two children,
Aaron and Lev, who bring so much curiosity and joy to my life. I am so
proud to be the father of each of you.
At an early age, I learned that public service is a high calling
and have aspired to heed that call. My father, a lawyer, was a leader
in fighting to protect the civil rights of institutionalized persons.
His father was an accountant known for his generous assistance to the
underserved in the community. My mother began her career as a librarian
before becoming an expert on emerging technologies, education, and
training. And her father, who we called ``Zeyde,'' landed on the
beaches of Normandy and fought his way into the heart of Germany with
the Allied advance. My step-parents, Steve Haskin and Katherine Soskin,
have likewise been important influences for many decades.
My career in public service has also been inspired by mentors along
the way. I wish I had the time to recognize them all today for the
roles they have played. Judge Paul Diamond, who served as an Assistant
District Attorney and counsel to Senator Arlen Specter prior to his
judicial service, instilled in me the values of a public servant. Peter
Wells, a cornerstone of the Williams College faculty, taught me that a
good leader actively seeks ideas for improvement from every source
imaginable. And Jane Keller, my childhood chaperone, taught me life
lessons about graceful living and overcoming hardship, and inspired my
appreciation for the inherent value of all people and their creation in
God's image. I also remember with gratitude the influence of the many
terrific educators at Park Tudor School in Indianapolis, at Little
Flower Montessori (now called Montessori Academy at Edison Lakes) in
Mishawaka, at Williams College, and at Harvard Law School, and would
like to thank them collectively here.
Since entering Harvard Law School in 2002, I have been committed to
public service, joining the Department of Justice as a career civil
servant and representing the United States with independence and
integrity for nearly fourteen years. Every day when I enter my office,
I see there a book by Elliott Richardson, who served as Attorney
General, Secretary of Defense, Secretary of Commerce, and Secretary of
Health, Education, and Welfare. In his book, I have highlighted his
words reminding me that ``there is no greater reward than the
satisfaction of applying professional knowledge to the benefit of your
fellow citizens.'' This daily inspiration renews my appreciation for
the great honor and privilege that I have in serving the people of the
United States. This is what brought me to the Department of Justice and
it is why my path has brought me to this hearing today, at which I
aspire to continue to serve the people by providing oversight of the
Department of Transportation with independence and without fear or
favor.
As a litigator with the Federal Programs Branch of the Civil
Division, I provide leadership in a vast array of matters, representing
agencies from across the entire Executive Branch in legally difficult,
high-stakes, and politically-sensitive lawsuits that affect the lives
of millions of Americans or involve hundreds of millions of dollars of
taxpayer funds. Managing many of these cases at one time as a
generalist, one of my core skills is digging deeply into the complex
details of new statutes, programs, and factual situations to quickly
understand the issues and to objectively assess the challenges they
entail. Law enforcement agencies are among my most important clients,
and my practice involves leading cross-functional teams, directing
factual investigations, and communicating orally and in writing with
many types of stakeholders. Throughout my career across three
administrations, I have upheld the highest standards of professionalism
of the Department of Justice.
These are all skills that will lend themselves directly to my
successful tenure as Inspector General of the Department of
Transportation. My experience working across government agencies has
led me to recognize the critical role of the Inspector General in each
agency in combating waste, fraud, and abuse and advancing efficiency
and effectiveness in the delivery of government programs. An IG should
be, like me, a leader passionate about upholding public confidence in
our Federal institutions and sustaining our democracy by ensuring
accountability and thereby delivering the results the public expects
from their government. As IG, I will provide oversight to the
Department and ensure that core DOT values are upheld, including safety
for the traveling public and efficiency in the Department's programs to
sustain and improve the arteries of public prosperity.
Beyond my experience and dedication to public service, I bring to
the job of Inspector General a trained, fresh eye accustomed to looking
at complex situations and establishing priorities, a vital skill in an
office that routinely initiates new audits and investigations to
safeguard taxpayer funds and to ensure that the Department adheres to
the letter of the law and the established will of Congress. I would be
honored to lead the Office of Inspector General and its staff of
talented, career civil servants in accordance with Congress's commands
of independence and objectivity. If confirmed, I will act with
integrity and be honest and impartial in continuing the office's work.
My team and I will use the tools established by Congress in the IG Act
to provide accountability, promote transportation safety, and enhance
public confidence while maintaining the Office's high standards of
clear, timely, and transparent communications with you, the rest of the
Congress, and the public.
Thank you again for this opportunity to be considered by the Senate
and to appear before you. I sincerely appreciate your time and I look
forward to answering your questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Eric Joseph
Soskin.
2. Position to which nominated: Inspector General, Department of
Transportation.
3. Date of Nomination: June 22, 2020.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 1100 L Street, NW, Washington, DC 20005.
5. Date and Place of Birth: September 26, 1977; South Bend,
Indiana.
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 chil-dren by a previous marriage).
Spouse: Miran Soskin, self-employed as a Realtor, in the
brokerage Barcroft Realty Group LLC, 8315 Lee Highway, Suite
300, Fairfax, VA 22031.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
B.A., Williams College, 1999 (attended 1995-1999)
J.D., Harvard Law School, 2005 (attended 2002-2005)
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.
Analyst, Mercer Management Consulting, Lexington, MA (1999-
2001)
Rowing Coach, West Springfield High School Crew, Springfield,
VA (2001-2002)
Consultant, GivingWorks, Inc., Washington, DC (2002)
Consultant, AvalonBay/Reznick, Fedder, & Silverman, Alexandria,
VA (2002)
Law Clerk, Department of Justice, Civil Division, Aviation,
Space, & Admiralty Branch, Washington, DC (2003)
Summer Associate, DLA Piper Rudnick, Washington, DC (2004)
Summer Associate, Procter & Gamble Co. Legal Division,
Cincinnati, OH (2004)
Law Clerk, U.S. Attorney's Office, Criminal Division, Boston,
MA (2004-05)
Summer Law Intern, Department of Justice, Civil Division,
Federal Programs Branch, Washington, DC (2005)
Judicial Clerkship, The Hon. Paul S. Diamond, United States
District Judge for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania,
Philadelphia, PA (2005-06)
Senior Trial Counsel/Senior Counsel/Trial Attorney, Department
of Justice, Civil Division, Federal Programs Branch,
Washington, DC (2006 to present)
Policy Counsel, Department of Justice, Civil Division (detail
2017-2018) Nominations Counsel, Department of Justice, Office
of Legal Policy (detail 2018)
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. 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.
Class of 1999 Treasurer, Williams College Society of Alumni
(2009-2019)
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
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Member, United States Naval Institute (1997 to present)
Life Member, National Rifle Association (2009 to present)
Member, Federalist Society (2002 to present, with some possible
lapses)
Member, Alexander Hamilton Society (2011-2015)
Member, Indiana Society of Washington, DC (2011-2012, 2016-
2018)
Williams College Society of Alumni, Class of 1999 Treasurer
(2009-2019)
Member, Purple Bull Roklub, 2001 to present
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. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. N/A.
15. 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.
Contributor, Mitt Romney for President, 2012 ($1000)
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Elizur Smith Prize for Public Speaking, Williams College (1999)
Arthur Graves Prize in Political Economy, Williams College
(1999)
Attorney General Distinguished Service Award (2019)
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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, Articles, and Columns
Comment and Discussion, Proceedings of the U.S. Naval
Institute, October, 2010: https://www.usni.org/magazines/
proceedings/2010/october/comment-discussion
Comment and Discussion, Proceedings of the U.S. Naval
Institute, September, 2009: https://www.usni.org/magazines/
proceedings/2009/september/comment-and-discussion
Comment and Discussion, Proceedings of the U.S. Naval
Institute, January, 2008: https://www.usni.org/magazines/
proceedings/2008/january/comment-discussion
Articles, Williams Free Press
2-3 articles about campus activities written in the fall of
1995. Not available online.
Possible articles, Williams Record
1-2 articles describing performance of Williams Men's Crew
during previous weekend.
Speeches
EPHx1999: Federal government service: trends and experience
(part of roundtable discussion). Audience: Williams College/
Class of 1999 reunion attendees. Date: June 8, 2019.
Blog Postings
I blogged as part of a group blog of Williams College alumni and
others in the Williams community, EphBlog, from 2010-2011, and again
from 2015-2016.
Links to posts from 2010 to 2011 are here:
http://ephblog.com/2011/04/11/no-longer-sledding-uphill/
http://ephblog.com/2011/04/06/satullo-75-on-the-city-of-
brotherly-love/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/01/the-adjustment-bureau-opens-
friday-nationwide/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/03/more-social-network/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/03/new-musical-from-finn-74/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/06/pasachoff-on-planetary-transits/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/08/antone-johnson-93-on-legal-
economics/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/10/paarlberg-02-emulates-andrew-
zimmern/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/12/lipp-60-endows-senior-curator-at-
the-clark/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/15/keep-friends-fresher-than-
facebook-with-chang-99-the-fridge/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/17/future-albany-da-kindlon-98/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/18/peyser-76-public-privatize-
amtrak/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/21/a-piece-of-weston-history/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/22/scenes-from-a-travesty/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/23/life-with-the-falks/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/24/45527/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/26/williamstown-restaurant-news/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/27/dont-overthink-it-but-dont-
underthink-it/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/31/eph-bookshelf-mr-and-mrs-prince-
and-williams-college/
http://ephblog.com/2011/03/31/congratulations-to-the-class-of-
15/
http://ephblog.com/2011/04/03/curated-by-ephs-marilyn-
hollywood-icon/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/12/around-the-americas-feature-now-
available/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/15/eph-bookshelf-11-the-big-bang-
symphony/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/17/what-kind-of-lectures/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/17/dan-ohnemus-04-in-antarctica/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/18/eph-booze-culinary-yakuza/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/18/eye-to-eye-at-the-clark/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/20/orzel-93-seeks-input-for-hugo-
award-nominations/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/21/sayles-amigo-gets-domestic-
distribution-deal/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/23/george-washington-and-the-
revolutions/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/24/texas-governor-launches-drive-
for-10000-bachelors-degree/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/24/washington-dc-get-your-non-combo-
za/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/25/draft-thiel-fellowships-for-
dropping-out/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/27/when-williams-had-a-medical-
school-part-iv-the-end/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/07/john-russell-82-to-conduct-
cincinnati-pops/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/08/higher-education-the-golden-
dozen-part-i/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/10/pownal-biomass-update/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/12/moving-iranian-art/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/14/ephs-at-arlington-i/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/15/when-williams-had-a-medical-
school-part-3-mark-hopkins/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/17/eph-art-mafia-glenn-lowry-76-on-
what-to-see-in-2011/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/19/david-strathairn-70-to-star-in-
new-show/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/21/williams-among-best-winter-
colleges/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/22/eph-bookshelf-higher-education-
the-golden-dozen-part-ii/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/25/an-eph-christmas-poem/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/27/visit-ed-schmidt-84-in-his-
living-room/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/30/eliot-coleman-61-jeffersonian-
farmer/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/02/upcoming-concerts-at-the-clark/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/05/gender-differences-in-concussion-
symptoms/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/07/mcginn-82-in-comics/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/08/eph-bookshelf-10-all-the-devils-
are-here/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/13/blog-tours-of-albrecht-durer-at-
the-clark/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/16/chase-coleman-97-update-another-
social-network-billionaire/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/19/cgcl-vii-tyler-dennett-04/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/20/a-look-back-at-fall/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/20/store-at-five-corners-shuttered/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/23/social-learning-sites-sprout/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/26/no-small-advantage-winter-study-
edition/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/26/were-delighted-to-be-here/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/28/youtube-favorite-phil-shuman-79/
http://ephblog.com/2011/01/31/sand-springs-closes-again/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/04/an-interview-with-the-least-
popular-eph/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/06/curated-by-ephs-al-taylor-wire-
instruments-and-pet-stains/
http://ephblog.com/2011/02/10/londons-school-of-life-sells-the-
liberal-arts/
http://ephblog.com/2010/07/22/toughest-job-in-cooking/
http://ephblog.com/2010/07/30/found-williams-a-leader-in-
social-register-atten-dance/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/06/35198/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/12/no-athletic-training-major/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/14/eph-bookshelf-dominion-of-
memories/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/18/ephs-on-entrepreneurship-1-ken-
thomas-93/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/19/your-next-home-base-in-the-
purple-valley/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/20/ephs-on-entrepreneurship-1-anon-
07/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/21/hbo-presents-stephen-sondheim-
sort-of/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/23/ephs-on-entrepreneurship-3-david-
lerner-90/
http://ephblog.com/2010/08/24/cricket-creek-farm/
http://ephblog.com/2010/09/18/eph-bookshelf-8-parallel-worlds/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/04/alumni-swarm-to-head-of-the-
charles-regatta/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/06/molly-to-red-molly/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/08/christmas-2010-brought-to-you-by-
sebastian-arcelus-99/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/09/eph-wins-murder-case/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/10/eph-bookshelf-9-appetite-for-
america/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/11/art-mafia-reliquaries-in-
cleveland/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/15/more-success-and-a-nickname-for-
derek-ohly-97/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/16/how-piranha-led-to-lone-star-and-
more/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/18/choosing-a-chaplain-part-i/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/18/ephblog-visit-to-arlington/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/23/draft-when-williams-had-a-
medical-school-part-i/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/24/7-overtimes/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/25/a-holiday-recipe-from-porter-
mcconnell-00/
http://ephblog.com/2010/11/28/marcus-hummon-84-takes-another-
shot-at-the-stage/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/01/self-designed-majors-increase-
elsewhere/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/02/draft-when-williams-had-a-
medical-school-part-ii/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/03/big-concerts-have-their-downside/
http://ephblog.com/2010/12/07/father-bill-clark-80-takes-final-
vows/
http://ephblog.com/2010/04/19/eph-bookshelf-fingerprints-of-
god/
http://ephblog.com/2010/04/21/hiring-and-the-liberal-arts-
graduate/
http://ephblog.com/2010/04/23/mirth-on-morning-joe/
http://ephblog.com/2010/04/27/cartoon-controversy-volume-n/
http://ephblog.com/2010/04/30/mafia-work-chicago-edition/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/05/eph-bookshelf-thereby-hangs-a-
tail/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/06/a-download-to-grab/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/10/keep-your-friends-close-and-your-
family-closer/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/15/examining-the-warrior/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/18/brenauhigh-museum-partnership/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/21/national-bike-to-work-day/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/21/eph-bookshelf-carry-a-chicken-in-
your-lap-draft/
http://ephblog.com/2010/05/23/surprise-party/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/03/david-strathairn-roundup/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/03/williamstown-bachelorette/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/05/the-harvard-disqualification-
clause/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/10/eph-bookshelf-the-dead-tossed-
waves/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/17/youtube-biennial/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/20/clark-art-institute-roundup/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/23/smith-chaplains/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/24/624-world-cup-open-thread/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/27/golf-interlude/
http://ephblog.com/2010/06/30/eph-bookshelf-the-fourth-star/
http://ephblog.com/2010/07/11/art-mafia-down-under/
http://ephblog.com/2010/07/14/eph-bookshelf-6-steinbrenner/
These posts from 2010 and 2011 appear under the pseudonym
``Anonymous Senior.'' Other posts under that name were made from
August, 2016 to June, 2017, by another author. I did not author the
posts under the name ``Anonymous Senior'' following 2011.
However, in 2015 and 2016, I did author blog posts at EphBlog under
a different pseudonym, ``Edward W. Morley '60.''
All posts under this pseudonym are available at this link: http://
ephblog.com/author/esoskin/
I blogged as part of a group of bloggers at a Harvard Law School
blog, Ex Parte, from November, 2003 through March, 2005, with an
interruption (while the blog was relocated from one host to another
during December, 2004 and January, 2005). No links to individual posts
are available, but the entire contents of that blog are available
through the Internet Archive's ``Wayback Machine,'' on pages grouped by
month from November, 2003 to November, 2004, and by week from February,
2005 to the end of March, 2005. These links are as follows:
November 1, 2003 to November 30, 2003:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040806223337/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2003_11_01_fedsoc_archive.html
December 1, 2003 to December 31, 2003:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040902044647/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2003_12_01_fedsoc_archive.html
January 1, 2004 to January 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040910045937/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_01_01_fedsoc_archive.html
February 1, 2004 to February 29, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040818031028/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_02_01_fedsoc_archive.html
March 1, 2004 to March 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040806225046/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/ 2004_03_01_fedsoc_archive.html
April 1, 2004 to April 30, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20041018083803/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/ 2004_04_01_fedsoc_archive.html
May 1, 2004 to May 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040725074255/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_05_01_fedsoc_archive.html
June 1, 2004 to June 30, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040808101253/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_06_01_fedsoc_archive.html
July 1, 2004 to July 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20050405012642/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_07_01_fedsoc_archive.html
August 1, 2004 to August 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20040901204734/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_08_01_fedsoc_archive.html
September 1, 2004 to September 30, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20050226053453/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_09_01_fedsoc_archive.html
October 1, 2004 to October 31, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20050125124059/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_10_01_fedsoc_archive.html
November 1, 2004 to November 30, 2004:
https://web.archive.org/web/20050213091535/http://
fedsoc.blogspot.com/2004_11_01_fedsoc_archive.html
February 6, 2005 to February 12, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060507142652/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_02_06-
2005_02_12.shtml
February 13, 2005 to February 19, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060507142723/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_02_13-
2005_02_19.shtml
February 20, 2005 to February 26, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060507142626/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_02_20-
2005_02_26.shtml
February 27, 2005 to March 5, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060507142727/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_02_27-
2005_03_05.shtml
March 6, 2005 to March 12, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060507142831/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_03_06-
2005_03_12.shtml
March 13, 2005 to March 19, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20060314011401/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/archives/archive_2005_03_13-
2005_03_19.shtml
March 20, 2005 to April 8, 2005:
https://web.archive.org/web/20050409073527/http://
exparte.powerblogs.com/
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
Twitter:
Brickyard99 (dormant)
ArlHoosier (active)
Facebook
Eric Soskin (dormant)
Flyertalk.com
Hoosiereph (dormant)
Chowhound.com
Hoosiereph (dormant)
Donrockwell.com
Hoosiereph (dormant)
19. 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. N/A.
20. 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 a career civil servant in the Department of Justice, I already
recognize and appreciate the importance of the institution of inspector
general. IGs serve as an important, independent voice in my client
agencies across the government and are essential to ensuring that the
Executive Branch is effectively and appropriately carrying out critical
missions and in providing oversight to those agencies in their
operations, thereby helping to maintain taxpayer confidence in our
institutions. Throughout my career, I have demonstrated my passion for
improving public service, including by offering counsel and advice to
improve agency performance in complying with the rule of law and
providing oversight to agencies as they respond to litigation and as
they implement their policy priorities. And I have exhibited the
integrity and nonpartisan performance necessary to earn the confidence
of clients, colleagues, and leadership in multiple administrations.
The major national investments in infrastructure over the last
several years and those expected in the coming years have only
increased the significance and importance of the accounting and
financial controls that are one of the essential functions of the
Inspector General. Further, in the next decade and beyond, the
Department of Transportation will be pivotal in facilitating and
regulating the development of many of the most transformative
technology areas--drones, autonomous vehicles, commercial space
launches, and key aspects of infrastructure in roads and rail. And the
safety responsibilities that are the cornerstone of DOT's mission will
be challenged by these technologies as well as by emerging threats to
U.S. security in the physical and cyber domains. To ensure the
integrity and effectiveness of DOT activities with regard to these
investments, technologies, and threats, the inspector general will need
to be a fluid, on-the-job learner who is able to assimilate facts and
develop a thoughtful understanding of new subject areas in short order,
and who understands the critical role of law enforcement in securing
safety and economic prosperity. As a litigator responsible for
defending many of the most important lawsuits brought against the U.S.
government, and as a generalist without specific subject matter
responsibilities and who has worked closely with law enforcement, my
career demonstrates that I thrive in these capacities. Further, my
expertise in building relationships with witnesses, team members,
clients, and opposing counsel with all kinds of backgrounds, attitudes,
and skill sets prepares me for managing the relationships that are
critical to the effectiveness of the Inspector General. And as the
policy counsel for the Civil Division, I have put my skills to use in
the specific capacity of reviewing legislation and rule making, and
making recommendations for improvements in legal compliance and agency
performance in diverse fields.
21. 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?
As Congress made clear in the IG Act, the mission of the Inspector
General is not limited to redressing individual instances of
ineffectiveness, waste, or malfeasance identified in an individual
audit or investigation, although those are of great importance, but to
recommend policies, and provide leadership to activities, that ensure
that the agency as a whole is operating with economy, efficiency, and
effectiveness, and without fraud and abuse. That means identifying
opportunities for the agency to improve its management and accounting
controls, to make recommendations regarding such improvements, to
persuade the agency that the implementation of these recommendations is
vital to the agency's mission, and to offer expertise, assistance and
oversight to ensure that such recommendations are carried out. This is
consonant with the importance of the Inspector General's law
enforcement activities, which set the expectation that the agency--and
its constituents, including personnel, contractors, recipients of
funds, and regulated parties--will adhere to the law.
One of the most important functions for the Inspector General is in
guiding the establishment of priorities within each of these
activities. Prioritization is a high leverage function for the
Inspector General, because decisions to focus enforcement and auditing
activities in the right places and to persuade the agency to implement
recommendations with alacrity make the IG's overall job easier and
ensure that the office's hard-working personnel punch above their
weight in protecting taxpayer funds and improving agency operations. As
a career government lawyer who has managed complex litigation within
acute time and resource constraints, exercising judgment in the service
of prioritization is in my core skill set, and I am prepared for the
challenge of continually refining the identification of areas of
highest risk and communicating the hierarchy of priorities to the
agency, the public, and the Congress.
My experience litigating complex cases is well suited to managing
the Office of the Inspector General and the relationships between OIG
and stakeholders inside and outside the DOT. Although it is not obvious
to all those who lack a background in government litigation, marshaling
the energy of others is a practical legal skill that is constantly
used, and that I use in virtually every case. This includes managing
and influencing the actions of others at one or more layers of remove:
many of the substantive tasks in litigation are carried out by working
through agency counsel to direct and influence the actions of agency
personnel; and, correspondingly, by building relationships with and
working through opposing counsel to influence the decisions and actions
of their clients. As a litigator responsible for managing a dozen or
more of his own cases at any given time, I have spent my career
developing important skills in these respects, and I am confident that
I can further develop and leverage those skills in place as the
inspector general.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
As the unprecedented Federal response to the public health and
economic emergencies created by the novel coronavirus epidemic
continues, the oversight of CARES Act funds in an economical and
effective manner, and the protection of those funds against fraud and
abuse, will be one of DOT's leading challenges. As I understand it, the
CARES Act presents DOT with nearly a one-third increase in its
appropriations for the current Fiscal Year, an immense surge in funding
that will require hard work and thoughtful leadership to administer,
monitor, and audit. Prioritization of the controls, and review
responsibilities, for this funding must be high on DOT's priority list
to ensure the confidence of the taxpayers who have entrusted these sums
to us.
At a broader level, as we seek to return to economic growth, the
United States must seize the opportunities being created by new
technologies. One of the biggest challenges of the next decade will be
in ensuring the safety of transformative technologies within the
purview of DOT, including unmanned and autonomous vehicles, private
access to space, and other transportation technologies to ensure their
embrace by the public. For these to unleash their full potential to
provide economic opportunity to hundreds of millions of Americans, we
must strike the right balance between establishing safety--and, as
importantly, the perception of safety--to ensure the business and
consumer confidence needed for widespread adoption and to enable a
diversity of new business models, while also creating an environment in
which innovation can flourish. The Inspector General's responsibility
in promoting economy, efficiency, effectiveness and safety, in securing
taxpayer funds from fraud and abuse, and in enforcing the law against
those who would take advantage of new opportunities to engage in
illicit activities, are critical to ensuring that the United States
prospers from new technologies.
Finally, looking to the resurgence of international geopolitics in
American headlines and the multi-headed nature of the threats posed to
American security by both state and non-state actors, one of the
biggest challenges for DOT will be assuring infrastructure and
transportation security from both physical and cyber threats.
In each of these areas, the IG's audits and investigations will
have an important role in identifying opportunities for the agency to
improve its performance, and the IG will need to be prepared to use
that information, and the IG's broad familiarity with the Department
and its strengths and deficiencies, to make recommendations to agency
leadership and to facilitate DOT's ability to enable American success
and leadership a decade from now.
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. None.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
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 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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
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.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
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.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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 constituent, I have made occasional calls or written letters
to my elected representatives in the United States Congress, the
Virginia legislature, and the Fairfax County government regarding
legislation or other public policy matters. I do not recall any
specific legislation regarding which I have contacted elected
representatives.
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, 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. 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, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Eric J. Soskin
Pennsylvania Bar TS/SCI clearance
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
U.S. Department of Justice, Federal Programs Branch, Senior Trial
Counsel (2006 to present).
Outstanding oral and written advocacy, team leadership, and
representation of clients across the U.S. Government in nationwide
litigation practice. Highlights include:
Extensive Experience With Politically Sensitive Litigation,
including Executive Orders on travel and immigration; the
Department of Justice's ban on bump stocks; Secretary Clinton's
e-mail account; and the constitutional eligibility of Executive
Branch officials.
Leadership in Bill of Rights Litigation, with particular
expertise in the First Amendment, Second Amendment, and Fourth
Amendment. Lead counsel resisting the Washington Redskins'
First Amendment challenge to trademark laws. Recognized as
Department's lead authority on defending district court Second
Amendment claims. Experienced in litigation and issues related
to the use of sealed warrants and other confidential process.
Protection of National Security, including defending habeas
corpus actions from terrorists held at Guantanamo Bay; leading
the team that enforces National Security Letters (``NSLs'') in
district court; asserting the state secrets privilege and using
documentary substitutes to prevent the disclosure of classified
information; and safeguarding the limits on receipt of process
imposed by the DNI and Congress on Internet and social media
companies.
Experience With a Wide Range of Executive and Legislative
Branch Agencies & Statutes, including the APA, Title VII, RFRA,
FOIA, the Congressional Accountability Act, the Fair Housing
Act, the Equal Credit Opportunity Act, the National Flood
Insurance Program, and the Medicare Prospective Payment System.
Authoritative Knowledge of Discovery Techniques and
Privileges, including experience with presidential
communication, law-enforcement, and confidential-informant
privileges.
Skilled in Training and Hiring. Frequent instructor in
depositions and trial advocacy at DOJ's National Advocacy
Center and repeated service on attorney and intern hiring
committees.
Office of the Assistant Attorney General, Civil Division, Policy
Counsel (Detail).
Supervised and coordinated Civil Division input on
legislation and rulemaking, including through participation in
DOJ and inter-agency working groups.
Provided legal opinions and litigation risk assessments for
proposed rules and legislation.
Assisted in representation of DOJ and Civil Division on
Civil Rules Committee.
West Springfield High School Crew, Rowing Coach (2001-2002).
Mercer Management Consulting, Analyst, Core Consulting Group (1999-
2001).
EDUCATION AND CLERKSHIP
Judge Paul S. Diamond, U.S. District Court, E.D. Pennsylvania, Law
Clerk (2005-2006).
Harvard Law School. J.D., magna cum laude, 2005.
Submissions Editor, Harvard Journal of Law and Technology.
Notes Editor, Harvard Journal of Law and Public Policy.
Williams College. B.A. in Mathematics and Political Economy, magna
cum laude, 1999.
Treasurer, Class of 1999 Alumni, 2009-2019.
Coxswain, Varsity Crew and Purple Bull Masters Alumni Crew.
Co-Director and Treasurer, Williams College Debate Union.
Senator Wicker. Thank you very much, Mr. Soskin.
Mr. Primus, you are recognized. Welcome.
STATEMENT OF ROBERT E. PRIMUS, NOMINEE TO BE A MEMBER, SURFACE
TRANSPORTATION BOARD
Mr. Primus. Thank you.
Good morning, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
distinguished members of the Committee.
Thank you for affording me the opportunity to appear before
you today in consideration of my nomination to serve on the
Surface Transportation Board.
There are several people responsible for my success who,
due to the pandemic, could not be present with me this morning,
and I would be remiss if I did not take a moment to acknowledge
them.
I would like to thank and acknowledge my amazing wife
Gladys for her love and unwavering support, my three energetic
and train-loving sons, Benjamin, Jacob, and Aaron Francis, my
mother Betty Primus, my sister Marcine, and her family, and my
brother Michael.
I would also like to acknowledge the influence and support
of my late father William Primus.
Last, I want to thank my friend, teacher, and mentor,
former Congressman Mike Capuano, for giving me the opportunity
to serve as his Chief of Staff for 18 of the 20 years he served
in Congress.
My desire to join the Surface Transportation Board is borne
from the idea that I want to continue my career in public
service, assisting in the oversight of an industry that is of
great interest to me and significant importance to the Nation.
My appreciation for our Nation's rail system began when I
was a child surrounded by family members who worked for
railroads and has culminated during my time with Congressman
Capuano when he served as Ranking Member on the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committees, Subcommittee on
Railroads, Pipelines, and Hazardous Materials.
During that time, I was afforded the opportunity to work
directly with the various sectors of the rail community and
gained a more complete understanding of the legislative and
regulatory policies that govern our national rail network.
The Surface Transportation Board plays a critical role in
ensuring our Nation's rail network is sound and functioning
properly. This committee specifically and the Congress as a
whole recognized the Board's importance through the passage of
the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015.
Through the legislation, this committee strengthened the
authority of the Board to oversee, investigate, and adjudicate
matters that have long been a concern to industry stakeholders
and Congress alike.
Paramount among these concerns is the need to address
deficiencies associated with the rate case process. Chairman
Ann Begeman, along with Board Members Patrick Fuchs, and Marty
Oberman, have since made considerable strides to address the
issue.
I look forward to working with them to implement changes
that, consistent with sound economic principles, will
streamline the rate case process to substantially reduce costs
and timelines and ultimately enhance the Board's effectiveness
in handling such cases.
Another area of interest is the attention the Board gives
to the smaller- and mid-sized shippers and the Class 2 and 3
railroads that provide vital services to our Nation's small
towns and rural communities.
During my time in Congress, I made sure that the concerns
of constituents who did not have the ability or resources to
navigate the congressional and Federal process were
appropriately heard.
If confirmed, it would be a priority to ensure that the
voices of the small shipper and small regional and shortline
railroads are amplified and that their issues continue to
occupy a place of importance among the Board.
I also plan to value and amplify the importance of our
Nation's passenger rail service. As someone who grew up riding
trains and continues to do so, visiting relatives in the South,
I am acutely aware of the importance of passenger rail service
to the national rail network and, in particular, the many rural
communities that rely on it.
I applaud the Committee's efforts to address issues related
to passenger rail service. If confirmed, I look forward to
working with the other Board members on issues that are of
concern to the passenger rail community and within the
jurisdiction of the Board.
In closing, I have sought over my nearly 25 years of public
service to build a reputation centered on objectivity and fair-
mindedness which in turn has allowed me to become a strong
consensus-builder and problem-solver.
I hope to bring my background solving complex and
multidimensional problems into a regulatory environment where I
believe an unbiased, thoughtful, and unconventional approach
will lead to fresh ideas and ultimately solutions to some of
the challenges the Board is tasked to address and resolve.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to come before you
this morning, and I look forward to answering any questions.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Primus follow:]
Prepared Statement of Robert E. Primus, Nominee to be a Member,
Surface Transportation Board
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell and distinguished Members
of the Committee, thank you for affording me the opportunity to appear
before you today in consideration of my nomination to serve on the
Surface Transportation Board.
There are several people responsible for my success who, due to the
pandemic, could not be present with me this morning, and I would be
remiss if I did not take a moment to acknowledge them. I would like to
acknowledge my amazing wife Gladys for her love and unwavering support;
my three energetic and train-loving sons Benjamin, Jacob and Aaron
Francis; my mother Betty Primus, my sister Marcene and her family and
my brother Michael. I would also like to acknowledge the influence and
support of my late father, William Primus. Lastly, I want to thank my
friend, teacher and mentor, former Congressman Mike Capuano, for giving
me the opportunity to serve as his Chief of Staff for eighteen of the
twenty years he served in Congress.
My desire to join the Surface Transportation Board is borne from
the idea that I want to continue my career in public service assisting
in the oversight of an industry that is of great interest to me and
significant importance to the Nation. My appreciation for our Nation's
rail system began when I was a child, surrounded by family members who
worked for railroads, and has culminated during my time with
Congressman Capuano when he served as the Ranking Member on the House
Transportation and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on
Railroads, Pipelines and Hazardous Materials. During that time, I was
afforded the opportunity to work directly with the various sectors of
the rail community and gained a more complete understanding of the
legislative and regulatory policies that govern our national rail
network.
The Surface Transportation Board plays a critical role in ensuring
our Nation's rail network is sound and functioning properly. This
Committee specifically, and the Congress as a whole, recognized the
Board's importance through the passage of the Surface Transportation
Board Reauthorization Act of 2015. Through the legislation, this
Committee strengthened the authority of the Board to oversee,
investigate and adjudicate matters that have long been a concern to
industry stakeholders and Congress alike. Paramount among these
concerns is the need to address deficiencies associated with the rate
case process. Chairman Ann Begeman, along with Board Members Patrick
Fuchs and Marty Oberman have since made considerable strides to address
the issue. I look forward to working with them to implement changes
that, consistent with sound economic principles, will streamline the
rate case process to substantially reduce costs and timelines and
ultimately enhance the Board's effectiveness in handling such cases.
Another area of interest is the attention the Board gives to the
smaller and mid-sized shippers and the Class II and III railroads that
provide vital services to our Nation's small towns and rural
communities. During my time in Congress, I made sure that the concerns
of constituents who did not have the ability or resources to navigate
the Congressional and Federal process were appropriately heard. If
confirmed, it would be a priority to ensure that the voices of the
small shipper and small regional and shortline railroads are amplified
and that their issues continue to occupy a place of importance among
the Board.
I also plan to value and amplify the importance of our Nation's
passenger rail service. As someone who grew up riding trains and
continues to do so when visiting relatives in the South, I am acutely
aware of the importance of passenger rail service to the national rail
network and in particular, the many rural communities that rely on it.
I applaud the Committee's efforts to address issues related to
passenger rail service. If confirmed, I look forward to working with
the other Board Members on issues that are of concern to the passenger
rail community and within the jurisdiction of the Board.
In closing, I have sought, over my nearly twenty-five years of
public service, to build a reputation centered on objectivity and
fairmindedness, which in turn has allowed me to become a strong
consensus builder and problem solver. I hope to bring my background,
solving complex and multi-dimensional problems, into a regulatory
environment where I believe an unbiased, thoughtful and unconventional
approach and perspective will lead to fresh ideas and ultimately
solutions to some of the challenges the Board is tasked to address and
resolve.
Again, thank you for the opportunity to come before you this
morning and I look forward to answering any questions.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used): Robert Edmund
Primus.
2. Position to which nominated: Member, Surface Transportation
Board.
3. Date of Nomination: July 21, 2020.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 2438 Rayburn House Office Building, Washington, DC
20515.
5. Date and Place of Birth: October 25, 1969; Denville, New Jersey.
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).
Gladys Barcena, Clerk--House Committee on Appropriations,
Subcommittee on Transportation, HUD and Related Agencies
(spouse).
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Bachelors of Science, Marketing--Hampton University, Hampton,
Virginia, 1991.
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.
Chief of Staff, The Honorable Tony Cardenas, United States
House of Representatives, Washington, DC--March 2020 to
present.
Senior Advisor, The Honorable Tony Cardenas, United States
House of Representatives, Washington, DC--February 2020-March
2020
Senior Advisor, The Honorable Tim Ryan, United States House of
Representatives, Washington, DC--November 2019-February 2020
Chief of Staff, The Honorable Nanette Diaz Barragan, United
States House of Representatives, Washington, DC--January 2019-
October 2019
Chief of Staff, The Honorable Michael E. Capuano, United States
House of Representatives, Washington, DC--September 2002-
January 2019
Legislative Director, The Honorable Michael E. Capuano, United
States House of Representatives, Washington, DC--March 1999-
August 2002
Registered Lobbyist, Van Scoyoc Associates, Inc., Washington,
DC--January 1995-February 1999
Legislative Assistant, The Honorable Mel Reynolds, U.S. House
of Representatives, Washington, DC--January 1994-December 1994
Legislative Assistant The Honorable Carrie P. Meek, U.S. House
of Representatives, Washington, DC--July 1993-January 1994
Staff Assistant, The Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg, U.S.
Senate, Washington, DC--November 1991-July 1993
Intern, The Honorable Frank R. Lautenberg, U.S. Senate,
Washington, DC--August 1991-November 1991
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. 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. None.
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
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Congressional Black Associates 1991-Present
The 116 Club, Member, 2016-Present
The National Democratic Club, Member, 2015-2018
None of these organizations restrict membership on the basis of
sex, race, color, religion, national origin, age or disability.
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. I was elected to serve as Correspondence Secretary for the
Ward 7 Democrats in Washington, DC. The campaign did not have any
outstanding debt.
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities.
2010 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano--Served as
liaison between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
2012 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano--Served as
liaison between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
2014 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano--Served as
liaison between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
2016 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano--Served as
liaison between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
2018 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Michael E. Capuano--Served as
liaison between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
2020 Congressional Election Cycle--Chief of Staff and Political
Designee to U.S. Representative Tony Cardenas--Serve as liaison
between the Congressman's official office and campaign.
15. 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.
I have never made any political contributions to any individual,
campaign organization, political party, political action committee, or
similar entity of $500 or more.
16 List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements.
Youth for Tomorrow Mentoring (Chicago) Excellence in Service
Award
Washington Government Relations Group Augustus F. Hawkins Award
Congressional Black Associates Trailblazer Award
Honorary Citizen of Louisville, Kentucky
Honorary Kentucky Colonel
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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, individually or with others, any books,
articles, columns, Internet blog postings, or other publications,
neither have I given any speeches on topics relevant to the position
for which I have been nominated.
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
LinkedIn: https://www.linkedin.com/in/robert-primus-a651ab2/
19. 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 never testified before Congress.
20. 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 had the distinct pleasure of serving under former Congressman
Michael E. Capuano while he was a member of the House Transportation
and Infrastructure Committee's Subcommittee on Railroads, Pipelines and
Hazardous Materials. The Congressman served on the Subcommittee from
2013 to 2018 and was its Ranking Member from 2015 through the end of
2018. As the Congressman's Chief of Staff, I was afforded the
opportunity to work directly with the various sectors of the rail
community and gained a more complete understanding of the legislative
and regulatory policies that governs our national rail network. During
his tenure as Ranking Member, the Subcommittee held hearings and
briefings, and the Congressman had a number of individual meetings
specifically related to the Surface Transportation Board, and in
particular, the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of
2015. Accordingly, I developed a deeper knowledge and appreciation of
Board's functions and oversight and became very familiar with industry
and stakeholder issues within the freight and passenger railroad
community.
My desire to join the Surface Transportation Board is borne from
the idea that I want to continue my career in public service assisting
in the oversight of an industry that is of great interest to me and
significant importance to the Nation. I want to bring my success
solving complex and multi-dimensional problems at the Congressional
level into a regulatory environment where I believe an unbiased,
thoughtful and, at times, an unconventional approach and perspective
will lead to fresh ideas and ultimately contribute to highly effective
solutions to some of the challenges the Board is tasked to resolve.
Fairness, reasonableness and equity are principles that have guided me
throughout my career. Over my nearly twenty-five years of public
service, I have sought to build a reputation centered on objectivity
and fairmindedness, which in turn have allowed me to become a strong
consensus builder and problem solver. When considering the
responsibilities of a Surface Transportation Board Member, I believe
these attributes are not only relevant, but necessary.
21. 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?
First and foremost, I believe it would be my responsibility and
duty to support Chairman Ann Begeman in her role as the administrator
of the agency's operations. It is incumbent upon me and other Board
Members to assist her in her efforts to properly oversee administration
functions within the Agency and effectively address all identified
deficiencies. With respect to proper management and accounting
controls, I believe special attention should be given to Congressional
directives outlined in the Surface Transportation Board Reauthorization
Act of 2015, as well recommendations brought forth by the Department of
Transportation's Inspector General.
For the past eighteen years, I have had the honor of serving as a
Chief of Staff to three different Members of Congress. In this
capacity, I have been responsible for overseeing not only Capitol Hill
offices, but district and political offices as well. In addition to
being senior policy and political advisor for each Member, I was also
the primary human resource officer, compliance officer, budget/finance
officer and ethics officer. I strongly believe my successful tenure as
a senior manager on Capitol Hill will serve me well on the Board as it
relates to the oversight and operation of the Agency.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
(1) The Board needs to continue its work related to the Surface
Transportation Board Reauthorization Act of 2015. Congress was
very clear in its desire to see the Board address deficiencies
associated with rate case processes. Chairman Begeman, along
with Board Members Fuchs and Oberman, have made considerable
strides to address this issue. I look forward to working with
them to fully implement a rate reform model that will
streamline the rate case process, consistent with sound
economic principles, to reduce costs and timelines and
ultimately enhance the Board's effectiveness in handling such
cases.
(2) The Board must continue to make headway with respect to its
pending proceedings. There are a number of key issues that have
major implications for both the railroad and shipping
communities. Again, the current Board membership, under the
leadership of Chairman Begeman has made great strides in
tackling many of these issues and I hope that I can help to
contribute to the resolution of these pending matters in a way
that is both timely and appropriate.
(3) The Board must continually evaluate how its oversight and
investigatory responsibilities can ensure a fair and balanced
relationship between the railroad and shipping communities, and
it must assert its responsibilities where appropriate. Changing
business models within the railroad industry raise new and
important issues. The Board should continue its active
engagement with its advisory committees and the public, and it
should consider use of its new authority, endowed by Congress,
to investigate issues of national and regional significance as
appropriate.
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.
As a Federal employee, I participate in the Federal Employees
Retirement System and the Thrift Savings Plan.
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 have no commitments or agreements, formal or informal, to
maintain employment, affiliation, or practice with any business,
association or other organization during my appointment.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
As reflected in my Ethics Agreement with the STB, my spouse has a
small home business called Happies Closet. For as long as my spouse
continues to work in this business, I will not participate personally
and substantially in any particular matter involving specific parties
in which I know my spouse is a party unless I am first authorized to
participate pursuant to 5 C.F.R. Sec. 2635.502(d). I do not have any
other investments, obligations, liabilities, or other relationships
which could involve potential conflicts of interest in the position to
which I have been nominated.
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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
I have not had any business relationship, dealing, or financial
transaction during the last ten years that could in any way constitute
or result in a possible conflict of interest in the position to which I
have been nominated.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest.
I do not have any other potential conflicts of interest.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
Over the past ten years, in my capacity as a Chief of Staff and
Senior Advisor to four different Members of Congress, it was often my
responsibility to develop, coordinate and execute strategies on behalf
of the respective Members that would directly influence the passage,
defeat or modification of legislation that came before the House of
Representatives.
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.
I have never 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.
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. In 1992, while my parents were out of town, I had accidentally
locked myself out of their townhouse, located in a gated community in
Washington, DC. An individual living in their gated community thought I
was trespassing and aggressively confronted me, which resulted in a
physical altercation between the two of us. I was subsequently arrested
and charged with a misdemeanor simple assault. I plead not guilty and
requested a jury trial before the DC Superior Court. I was found not
guilty by a jury of my peers and my arrest record was sealed and
ultimately expunged.
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, I have never been convicted (including pleas of guilty or nolo
contendere) of any criminal violation.
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, I have never been accused, formally or informally, of sexual
harassment or discrimination on the basis of sex, race, religion, or
any other basis.
6. Please advise the Committee of any additional information,
favorable or unfavorable, which you feel should be disclosed in
connection with your nomination.
I have no further information that I wish to provide.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Robert E. Primus
SUMMARY
A team-oriented, senior professional with over twenty-five years of
substantive experience in the legislative and advocacy fields; adept at
researching and analyzing complex legislative and public policy issues
while working in demanding environments; possesses excellent written
and oral skills; results-oriented, with a solid record of legislative
and policy accomplishments built upon proven abilities in strategic
planning, administration and project management.
PROFESSIONAL EXPERIENCE
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE TONY CARDENAS, (CA-29)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Chief of Staff March 2020-Present
Primary responsibilities
Chief advisor and administrator; develop and execute political and
policy agendas; oversee the office's day-to-day operations and
management; hire staff and implement personnel policies and procedures.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE TONY CARDENAS, (CA-29)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Senior Advisor February 2020-March 2020
Primary responsibilities
Advised the Member and Chief of Staff on legislative and political
matters.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE TIM RYAN, (OH-13)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Senior Advisor November 2019-February 2020
Primary responsibilities
Provide legislative background and expertise to the Member and Chief of
Staff in the areas of healthcare, transportation, budget and
appropriations, and national security. Drafted an updated Office
Employee Handbook that included a number of modifications as directed
by the Chief of Staff and Deputy Chief of Staff. Provided formal and
informal guidance to members of the Congressman's legislative team.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE NANETTE DIAZ BARRAGAN, (CA-44)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Chief of Staff January 2019-November 2019
Primary responsibilities
Responsible for the day-to-day operations and management of the
Congresswoman's office. Primary staff liaison to the Democratic
leadership, as well as the Energy and Commerce Committee and the
Congressional Hispanic Caucus. Provide legislative background and
expertise in the areas of healthcare, transportation, budget and
appropriations, and national security. Serve as the Congresswoman's
staff liaison to her Washington- and California-based fundraisers and
works with the fundraisers to coordinate fundraising events.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MICHAEL E. CAPUANO, (MA-7)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Chief of Staff September 2002-Present
Primary responsibilities
Chief advisor and administrator; develop and execute political and
policy agendas; oversee the office's day-to-day operations and
management; hire staff and implement personnel policies and procedures;
manage legislative portfolio related to health care, national security,
transportation, homeland security and national intelligence; primary
staff contact for the Congressional Community Health Center Caucus, of
which the Congressman is a co-chair; chief liaison to the House
Leadership and the Massachusetts Congressional delegation; primary
point-of-contact with the Congressman's Washington-based fundraiser and
works with the fundraiser to develop and coordinate all fundraising
events in Washington; develop, coordinate, and manage all district- and
state-specific appropriations projects.
Leadership Accomplishments/Roles
Staff point-of-contact for the Democratic Steering and
Policy Committee
Chief liaison for Chairman Capuano's Democratic Caucus'
Organization, Study and Review Committee during the 2006
overview of Caucus rules and procedures
Staff liaison for Chairman Capuano's Transition for Incoming
House Democratic Majority in 2006
Liaison and special advisor to the Committee on House
Administration 2007-2010
Supported Mr. Capuano's efforts to elect Congressman John
Larson Vice Chair of the Democratic Caucus
Managed the healthcare portfolio within the most health-
centric congressional district in the country
Worked directly with the Commonwealth of Massachusetts
during the implementation of the Affordable Care Act
On the Massachusetts delegation team assisting 1115 Medicaid
waiver applications to CMS
Worked closely with leading Massachusetts health care
institutions on critical health care issues including Medicaid
waivers, the Area Wage Index, the PACE program, the 340B drug
program, the Graduate Medical Education program, the dual-
eligible program, community health center funding, and issues
surrounding behavioral health
Secured more than $400 million in Congressionally directed
Federal funding for the district
Organized, coordinated, and staffed CODEL Capuano to
Afghanistan and Pakistan, which was the first American
delegation to meet with then newly elected Pakistani Prime
Minister Syed Yousaf Raza Gillani
Notable Misc.
Deep personal ties to an extensive list of Democrat and
Republican members and staff
Strong relationships with House Leadership and Committee
staff
Strong relationships with members and staff of the
Congressional Black Caucus, Congressional Hispanic Caucus, and
the Congressional Asian Pacific American Caucus
Possess an active Top-Secret Security clearance
Legislative Director March 1999-September 2002
Served as senior policy advisor, responsible for the coordination and
oversight of all legislative activities; oversaw the constituent
correspondence operation; managed all district- and state-specific
appropriations projects; responsible for the Congressman's legislative
portfolio related to national and homeland security and intelligence.
In this capacity, acted as the primary staff contact for the House
Democratic Whip Team during the Congressman's tenure as a regional
whip; served as the Congressman's associate committee staff during his
time on House Budget Committee; and researched and drafted the Juvenile
and Young Adult Witness Protection bill of 1999, which was later
included in a comprehensive juvenile justice bill that was subsequently
signed into law.
VAN SCOYOC ASSOCIATES, INC., WASHINGTON, DC
Registered Lobbyist January 1995-February 1999
Represented major corporate, not-for-profit, healthcare, academic, and
state government clients before the United States Congress and the
Executive Agencies.; responsible for the development and execution of
client strategies; provided drafted client testimony, report language,
and briefing materials; coordinated and conducted briefings with
Members of Congress and their staff; provided legislative research and
analysis for clients.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE MEL REYNOLDS, (IL-2)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Legislative Assistant January 1994-December 1994
Briefed and advised the member on legislation and the impacts to the
district; served as staff representative to the White House Conference
on Small Business and the Democratic Health Care Seminars; served as a
Team Captain on the Democratic Leadership's Message Board; drafted and
analyzed legislation individually and in collaboration with colleagues
in other member offices.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE CARRIE P. MEEK, (FL-17)
U.S. House of Representatives, Washington, DC
Legislative Assistant July 1993-January 1994
Briefed and advised the member on legislation related to national
security, telecommunications, trade, and agriculture policy; drafted
Dear Colleagues, constituent letters and floor statements; met with
industry representatives and constituents.
OFFICE OF THE HONORABLE FRANK R. LAUTENBERG, (NJ)
U.S. Senate, Washington, DC
Staff Assistant November 1991-July 1993
Assisted the Administrative Assistant, Legislative Director and State
Director with time sensitive and sometimes confidential mail inquires;
assisted senior staff with tracking and researching legislation;
drafted briefing memos for legislative fellows.
EDUCATION
HAMPTON UNIVERSITY--Hampton, Virginia May 1991
Bachelor of Science Degree in Marketing
Graduated Cum Laude
HARVARD UNIVERSITY--Cambridge, Massachusetts Summer 2007
John F. Kennedy School of Government
Senior Managers in Government--Certificate Program
Senator Wicker. Thank you very, very much, Mr. Primus.
We had some technical glitches with our remote witnesses
yesterday, Madam Ranking Member. I have a feeling these two are
going to go very smoothly.
So let's turn to Ms. Sarah Feinberg. Ms. Feinberg, are you
with us, and can you hear us all right?
STATEMENT OF SARAH E. FEINBERG, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR,
AMTRAK BOARD OF DIRECTORS
Ms. Feinberg. I am. I can hear you and I can see you and
hopefully you can hear me and see me.
Senator Wicker. OK. Good. Well, you are recognized for 5
minutes and thank you so much for being with us today.
Ms. Feinberg. Thank you so much.
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and to the other
distinguished members of the Commerce Committee, I want to
thank you for holding this morning's hearing during what is an
unprecedented time for this country and this body.
I know your time is incredibly valuable and you have many
demands on your attention and I thank you for your service and
for your interest today.
I appear in front of you as a nominee to the Amtrak Board
of Directors. This is a Board I served on previously in 2015
and 2016 while also serving as the Federal Railroad
Administrator at the U.S. Department of Transportation.
As Federal Railroad Administrator, I served as the
country's safety regulator of both passenger and freight rail.
During that stint on the Amtrak Board, I had the opportunity to
help shape the company's approach to safety, its continued
implementation of positive train control, and its approach to
making its system more accessible for all.
I also worked closely with the company and with my fellow
board members as we implemented service system improvements
across the country, including on state-supported routes and on
the company's long-distance service, including the
contemplation of the return of Gulf Coast service.
At each turn, I felt our Board was able to simultaneously
work with the company and work closely with the Congress,
including this committee and its staff, to further safety,
improve service for riders, improve business performance, and
protect taxpayer dollars.
To that end, I view the possibility of a second stint on
the Amtrak Board as an opportunity to continue to push forward
with safety improvements for all passengers and to serve both
the traveling public and taxpayers.
Without a doubt, Amtrak is facing an unprecedented moment
and a challenging future. Like all transportation entities, its
finances have been severely impacted by the COVID pandemic.
Ridership has decreased dramatically and the timing of its
return is uncertain while cleaning costs have risen.
I believe Amtrak is taking the right steps to address this
crisis head on with leaning and disinfection, requiring masks
and social distancing, and matching service levels to current
ridership demands.
I believe members of the Amtrak Board have a serious
fiduciary responsibility to the company as well as to
taxpayers. Members of the Board must also fulfill a
responsibility and share a commitment to improving safety,
service, and reliability for Amtrak's passengers. I can assure
you I take those responsibilities seriously.
In the immediate term, if my nomination is successful, I
will look forward to working closely with Amtrak to ensure
continued protection of passengers during the pandemic and to
return stability to the company, its work force, and its
finances.
My current day job is serving as the Interim President of
New York City Transit, the largest public transit agency in
North America, and it is my day job that prevents me from being
with you in person today as I remain in New York City leading
our agency as we continue our clean-up and restoration efforts
following Tropical Storm Isaias and, of course, our ongoing
work to recover from our first wave of COVID and prevent a
second or subsequent wave.
It is an honor to be with you today, even virtually, and I
look forward to taking your questions.
Thank you.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Ms.
Feinberg follow:]
Prepared Statement of Sarah E. Feinberg, Nominee to be a Director,
Amtrak Board of Directors
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and to the other
distinguished members of the Commerce Committee, I want to thank you
for holding this morning's hearing, during what is an unprecedented
time for this country and this body. I know your time is incredibly
valuable and you have many demands on your attention, and I thank you
for your service and for your interest today.
I appear in front of you as a nominee to the Amtrak Board of
Directors. This is a board I served on previously, in 2015 and 2016,
while also serving as the Federal Railroad Administrator at the U.S.
Department of Transportation. As Federal Railroad Administrator, I
served as the country's safety regulator of both passenger and freight
rail.
During that stint on the Amtrak Board, I had the opportunity to
help shape the company's approach to safety, its continued
implementation of Positive Train Control, and its approach to making
its system more accessible to all. I also worked closely with the
company and with my fellow board members as we implemented service
improvements across the country, including on state supported routes
and on the company's long distance service, including the contemplation
of the return of Gulf Coast service.
At each turn, I felt our board was able to simultaneously work with
the company, and work closely with the Congress, including this
committee and its staff, to further safety, improve service for riders,
improve business performance, and protect taxpayer dollars. To that
end, I view the possibility of a second stint on the Amtrak board as an
opportunity to continue to push forward with safety improvements for
all passengers, and to serve both the traveling public, and taxpayers.
Without a doubt, Amtrak faces an unprecedented moment and a
challenging future. Like all transportation entities, its finances have
been severely impacted by the COVID pandemic. Ridership has decreased
dramatically, and the timing of its return is uncertain, while cleaning
costs have risen. I believe Amtrak is taking the right steps to address
this crisis head on--leaning into cleaning and disinfection, requiring
masks and social distancing, and matching service levels to current
ridership demands.
I believe members of the Amtrak Board have a serious fiduciary
responsibility to the company, as well as to taxpayers. Members of the
board must also feel a responsibility and share a commitment to
improving safety, service and reliability for our passengers. I can
assure you I take those responsibilities seriously. In the immediate
term, if my nomination is successful, I would look forward to working
closely with Amtrak to ensure continued protection of passengers during
the pandemic, and to return stability to the company, its workforce,
and its finances.
My current day job is serving as the Interim President of New York
City Transit, the largest public transit agency in North America. And
it is my day job that prevents me from being with you in person today--
as I remain in New York City, leading our agency as we continue our
clean up and restoration efforts following Tropical Storm Isaias, and
of course our ongoing work to recover from our first wave of COVID and
prevent our second and subsequent waves.
It is an honor to be with you today, even virtually, and I look
forward to taking your questions.
Thank you.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Sarah Elizabeth Feinberg.
2. Position to which nominated: Member, Board of Directors, Amtrak.
3. Date of Nomination: May 17, 2020.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 2 Broadway 30th Floor, New York, NY 10004.
S. Date and Place of Birth: October 3, 1977; Charleston, West
Virginia.
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).
Joshua Tyrangiel, COO and Chief Content Officer, Kunhardt
Films.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
Washington and Lee University, BA in Politics.
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.
See attached CV.
9. Attach a copy of your resume.
See 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.
All listed in CV.
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.
All are listed in CV other than consulting work via Feinberg
Strategies, LLC. Feinberg Strategies LLC client list is attached.
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
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Only memberships are via board seats--StoryCorps Board of Directors
and NHPF Board of Directors--both of which are described and included
on CV.
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--I was appointed to be Acting Administrator at the Federal
Railroad Administration, and then was confirmed by the U.S. Senate and
became Administrator, Federal Railroad Administration. There were no
campaigns, or debts, associated with these positions.
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
15. 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.
See attached.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements. None.
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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 done my best to identify any books, articles, columns, or
other publications and relevant speeches, including a thorough review
of my personal files and searches of publicly available electronic
databases. Despite my searches, there may be other materials that I
have been unable to identify, find or remember. The speeches I gave as
Federal Railroad Administrator have been removed from the USDOT
website, but may exist in archives. I have located the following:
3/9/2020
My promise to NYC straphangers: The new subway and bus boss
lays out her priorities
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-my-promise-to-nyc-
straphangers
-20200309-7yefxvqi6vertknah2vrx3wj3m-story.html
4/27/2020
City Hall must not let the subways turn into a homeless shelter
https://nypost.com/2020/04/27/city-hall-must-not-let-the-
subway-turn-into-a-homeless-shelter/
5/10/2020
Transit boss says progress being made during overnight subway
shutdowns
https://www.amny.com/oped/transit-boss-says-progress-being-
made-during-overnight-subway-shutdowns/
6/3/2020
A safe return for the subways: The head of the NYC Transit
Authority outlines what will be different when the city begins
reopening
https://www.nydailynews.com/opinion/ny-oped-a-safe-return-for-
the-subways-20200603-7graokfwxvfcpfumfxop3eco4a-story.html
6/8/2020
MTA is glad to have you back for the NYC reopening
https://www.bxtimes.com/op-ed-mta-is-glad-to-have-you-back-for-
the-nyc-reopening/
7/6/2020
An early welcome back to Phase 3 of NYC's reopening
https://qns.com/story/2020/07/06/op-ed-an-early-welcome-to-
phase-3-of-new-york-citys-reopening/
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
Twitter--@feinbergsarah
Active
Instagram--@sarahfeinberg
Active
Facebook--https://www.facebook.com/Sarah.Elizabeth.Feinberg/
Active
19. 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 testified several times between January 2015-January 2017:
https://railroads.dot.gov/testimonies/oral-statement-field-
hearing-continued-oversight-california-high-speed-rail
https://railroads.dot.gov/testimonies/written-statement-field-
hearing-continued-oversight-california-high-speed-rail
https://railroads.dot.gov/testimonies/oral-statement-sarah-e-
feinberg-house-committee-oversight-and-government-reform
https://railroads.dot.gov/testimonies/written-statement-sarah-
feinberg-house-committee-oversight-and-government-reform
https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/oversight-ongoing-
rail-pipeline-and-hazardous-materials-rulemakings
http ://www.transportation.gov/testimony/passenger-rail-
reauthorization-future
-northeast-corridor
https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/oversight-amtrak-
accident-philadelphia
https://www.transportation.gov/testimony/state-positive-train-
control-implementation-united-states-0
20. 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 believe my time serving as the Administrator of the Federal
Railroad Administration, Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of
Transportation, member of the Board of Directors at the Metropolitan
Transportation Authority, and Interim President of New York City
Transit have prepared me and qualified me for Amtrak board service. I
also believe my previous stint as a member of the Amtrak Board of
Directors has prepared me well for this position.
I want to serve in this role again because I believe safe,
efficient passenger rail is critical to the survival and success of
economies around this country-from the massive economies of the cities
of the Northeast Corridor, to the smaller economies of the small towns
dependent upon regional rail service.
21. What do you believe are your responsibilities, if confirmed, to
ensure that the department has proper management and accounting
controls, and what experience do you have in managing a large
organization?
As a member of the Amtrak Board of Directors, I would have a
fiduciary duty to protect and act as a good and faithful steward of
taxpayer dollars and resources.
I have managed large organizations throughout my career, including
my current management of New York City Transit, my tenure as FRA
Administrator, and my service as Chief of Staff at USDOT.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
I believe Amtrak's greatest challenges are:
Making important and tangible progress, even during the
midst of an economic downturn, to identify the potential for
long term planning and expansion of regional rail across the
Deep South and other regions.
Even during the economic downturn, continuing to do the hard
work to shore up Amtrak's finances in order to remain a viable
and leading transportation option.
Even during the economic downturn, remaining focused on
State of Good Repair work, particularly on the Northeast
Corridor.
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 remain the interim President of New York City Transit.
I remain the owner of Feinberg Strategies, LLC, my firm. During my
time as President of NYCT, I have taken a leave of absence from the
firm. Only one client remains with the firm since my leave. Two of my
colleagues run and manage the firm and the client work for the
remaining client. I do not engage in client work at this time, and I do
not solicit new clients.
No deferred compensation agreements.
I continue to hold a Thrift Savings Account from my time in Federal
government service, and I hold various IRAs.
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 remain the interim President of NYCT during my board
service, and I will remain the owner of my firm during my board
service.
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest.
My only potential conflict of interest is my current employment
with NYCT, but both parties are comfortable with existing recusals in
place, and I am happy to revisit at the Senate's discretion.
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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest.
In 2017 and early 2018, Amtrak was a client ofmy firm, Feinberg
Strategies, LLC. I no longer have a business relationship with Amtrak
and have no intention of having a future business relationship with
Amtrak. If Amtrak's counsel or any other party suggested this previous
business relationship to be a conflict of interest I would be
comfortable putting an appropriate recusal in place.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. None.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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.
No activity apart from carrying out my regular duties as Chief of
Staff at USDOT, Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration,
and interim President of New York City Transit.
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.
Never, none.
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. 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, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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.
______
Feinberg Strategies Client List
2017-Present
Aion Foundation
American Council of Engineering Companies
Amtrak
Ava Labs
Copperfield Advisory
Facebook
FitOps Foundation
Honeybee Health
Madhive
Markle Foundation
Orchid
Parity Technologies
Partnership for New York City
Ridgley Walsh
Running Mate Media
Solana
WeConnect Recovery
Served in an advisor capacity:
Blockchange Ventures
Oaktree Transportation Infrastructure Fund
Uptake Technologies
______
Resume of Sarah E. Feinberg
Sarah E. Feinberg is the interim President of New York City Transit,
the largest transit system in North America, employing more than 54,000
people and moving an average of more than 8 million people per weekday.
She previously served on the Board of the Metropolitan Transportation
Authority, where she chaired the Transit Committee.
Feinberg is a former senior White House and Obama administration
official and a senior public policy and communications leader. Feinberg
is also the founder of Feinberg Strategies, LLC, where she led a
strategic consulting practice focused on the transportation and tech
sectors.
During the Obama administration, Feinberg first served as Senior
Advisor to the Chief of Staff at the White House, and then later went
on to become Chief of Staff at the U.S. Department of Transportation,
and then Administrator of the Federal Railroad Administration. Feinberg
led the Federal Railroad Administration first as Acting Administrator
starting in January, 2015, and later as Administrator following
confirmation by the Republican-controlled U.S. Senate. Under Feinberg's
leadership, FRA completed work on significant policy initiatives
including finalization of crude-by-rail regulations, implementation of
Positive Train Control, expansion of drug and alcohol testing, and
finalization of a $2.458 loan to Amtrak--the largest loan in USDOT
history. Feinberg also led and represented FRA and USDOT through
multiple major rail incidents and investigations, and at multiple
congressional hearings and in public appearances.
EMPLOYMENT
Interim President, New York City Transit. March 2020-Present. Interim
President of the largest transit system in North America. Overseeing
all subway and bus operations and a team of 54k employees. Most
recently led the organization through the COVID pandemic and ongoing
financial crisis.
Member, Board of Directors, MTA. Chair, Transit Committee. Vice Chair,
Finance Committee, MTA Board. Spring 2019-March 2020.
Administrator, Acting Administrator, Deputy Administrator, Federal
Railroad Administration. 2015-2017. The Federal Railroad Administration
is a 1,000-person enforcement and investigative agency within the U.S.
Department of Transportation. FRA is the chief safety regulator of the
U.S. rail system--responsible for regulating all passenger and freight
railroads, promulgating and enforcing all rail safety regulations,
administering and managing more than $1B annually, and improving
railroad safety for the traveling public. The administrator is a White
House appointment requiring Senate confirmation.
Chief of Staff, U.S. Department of Transportation. 2013-2015.
Responsible for management of all operational, strategic, legislative
initiatives across the department. Managed the day-to-day operations of
the multi-modal, 57,000 person agency, implementing the Secretary's
operational and policy visions, and executing upon White House
transportation priorities. Led DOT's efforts with regard to the
immediate challenges facing the department, including expiration of the
surface transportation programs, expansion of drone and autonomous
vehicle programs, and the department's management of safety issues.
Served as chief strategist and advisor to the Secretary of
Transportation.
Director, Policy Communications, Facebook. 2011-2013. Managed message
strategy and communications surrounding litigation, regulation, safety,
security, privacy and data use, and other federal, state and local
legislative issues. Managed Facebook's Washington-based outreach and
communications, as well as the company's political and crisis
communications.
Director, Global Communications and Business Strategy, Bloomberg LP.
2010-2011. Managed Bloomberg's Washington-based communications, co-
managed Bloomberg's New York-and London-based communications. Focused
on expanding Bloomberg's communications, business and media presence
globally.
Special Assistant to the President and Senior Advisor to the Chief of
Staff, The White House. 2008-2010. Served as senior advisor to WH Chief
of Staff Rahm Emanuel in the White House and during the transition.
Responsible for serving as Emanuel's lead and liaison to several
operations within the White House, including the economic team, the
communications and domestic policy departments, the national security
apparatus. Responsible for managing day-to-day crisis and issue
oversight for the Chief of Staff (specifically: the banking and
economic crisis, H1N1 pandemic, national service issues, WV mining
disaster); member of the senior White House staff.
OTHER EMPLOYMENT
Communications Director, U.S. House of Representatives
Democratic Caucus, Chairman Rahm Emanuel
National Press Secretary, Democratic Congressional Campaign
Committee, Chairman Rahm Emanuel
National/Leadership Press Secretary, Office of the Senate
Minority Leader, Senator Tom Daschle
Deputy Staff Director, Senate Democratic Communications
Committee
EDUCATION
B.A. in Politics, Washington and Lee University, Lexington, VA. June
1999
Incomplete: M.A. in Strategic National Security Studies, National
Defense University, Fort Lesley McNair, Washington, DC. (Exited program
in January 2009 upon start of White House employment.)
BOARD SERVICE
Amtrak--Served on Board of Directors 2015-2017
StoryCorps--Served on Board of Directors 2012-2015 and 2017-present
Metropolitan Transportation Authority--Member, Board of Directors,
Spring 2019-March 2020
NHP Foundation--Member, Board of Directors, 2020
______
Donations to Political Candidates
9/30/2011--Barack Obama--$500
7/31/2012--Barack Obama--$500
10/28/2012--Barack Obama--$500
5/6/2013--Facebook PAC--$500
5/9/2016--Hillary Clinton--$500
7/16/2016--Hillary Clinton--$1200
9/8/2016--Hillary Clinton--$500
6/5/2017--Maria Cantwell--$500
4/25/2019--Joe Biden--$500
Fall 2019--Do not recall date--Katie Porter--$1000
Senator Wicker. Thank you. Thank you very, very much.
And we now turn to Mayor Koos. Can you hear us loud and
clear?
STATEMENT OF CHRIS KOOS, NOMINEE TO BE A DIRECTOR, AMTRAK BOARD
OF DIRECTORS
Mr. Koos. I can, Senator. Thank you.
Senator Wicker. You're recognized for 5 minutes. Thank you
for joining us.
Mr. Koos. I am Chris Koos, and I have proudly served as the
Mayor of the Town of Normal for 17 years.
I thank you, Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and
distinguished members of the U.S. Senate, Committee on
Commerce, Science, and Transportation, for the opportunity to
testify before you today.
I would like to take a moment to thank this committee under
the leadership of Chairman Wicker and Ranking Member Cantwell
for including passenger rail in the Surface Transportation
Bill.
I would like to thank President Trump, Secretary Chao, and
Senators Durbin, Duckworth, and Schumer for advancing my
nomination.
I would also like to thank Congressman Davis and
Congressman LaHood for their strong support of my nomination.
If confirmed, I hope to bring my experience as a mayor,
small business owner, and frequent Amtrak customer to the Board
of Directors.
These experiences have instilled in me the belief that
passenger rail is a necessary investment that increases
mobility, promotes economic growth, and improves the quality of
life for all communities it serves.
I have seen positive impact of passenger rail firsthand in
Normal which is served by an Amtrak station at an uptown
station. The station has been key to revitalizing the Town of
Normal's Central Business District.
This revitalization would not have happened if the business
community and political leaders in the region did not recognize
the importance of inner city passenger rail and transit-
oriented development.
I have a deep respect for the organization, its history,
and its employees who are committed to making Amtrak a
convenient and reliable transportation option for all
Americans.
I believe that a healthy national passenger rail system
will be crucial to solving many of the toughest problems we
face today as a nation. From providing a viable addition to our
transportation network, fighting climate change, and to create
new and sustainable jobs, Amtrak can be a valuable part of this
solution.
As much as I admire Amtrak, I recognize the organization
faces a number of challenges that I would hope to focus on if
my appointment to the Board of Directors is confirmed.
As a member of the Board, I would reaffirm my support for
the long-distance passenger rail system. My community is served
by both state-supported and long-distance lines. I recognize
the importance of the long-distance train travel for many of my
constituents who are often unable to travel by plane, bus, or
car.
Amtrak also plays a major role in the mobility and
independence of the disability community. This cannot be
ignored.
In order to make passenger rail an effective transportation
option, we need to significantly improve on-time performance.
This means engaging new metrics and new standards as well as
holding freight rail companies accountable for following
agreed-upon time tables.
I am also invested in making Amtrak a safer system. I would
use my position as a director on the Board to advocate for safe
rail crossings, improved grade separation, and right-of-way
improvements that create safer conditions, decreased travel
times, and improved on-time performance.
I would advocate for a strong safety culture for Amtrak's
management and employees.
If confirmed, I look forward to tackling some of these
challenges.
In closing, as a mayor, I understand firsthand the benefits
of inner city passenger rail to my community and our Nation. I
hope I have the opportunity to work closely with the members
and staff of this committee as well as the entire Congress to
create a more effective and efficient passenger rail system for
our country.
I look forward to your questions, and thank you for having
me here today.
[The prepared statement and biographical information of Mr.
Koos follow:]
Prepared Statement of Hon. Chris Koos, Mayor, Town of Normal, IL
Introduction
Chairman Wicker, Ranking Member Cantwell, and distinguished Members
of the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and
Transportation, thank you for the opportunity to testify before you
today. I am Chris Koos, and I have proudly served as the Mayor of the
Town of Normal, Illinois since 2003. I am deeply honored to have been
nominated by the President to serve on the Amtrak Board of Directors.
If confirmed, I hope to bring my experience as a mayor, small business
owner, and frequent Amtrak customer to the Board of Directors.
These experiences have instilled in me the belief that passenger
rail is a necessary investment that increases mobility, promotes
economic growth, and improves the quality of life for all communities
served. I have seen the positive impact of passenger rail firsthand in
Normal, which is served by Amtrak at Uptown Station. Our intermodal
passenger rail station is the second busiest in Illinois, with 238,626
boardings and alightings in FY18. The station has been key to
revitalizing the Town of Normal's central business district. This
revitalization would not have happened if the business community and
political leaders in the region did not recognize the importance of
intercity passenger rail and transit-oriented development.
I have a deep respect for the organization, its history, and its
employees, who are committed to making Amtrak a convenient and reliable
travel option for all Americans. I believe that a healthy national
passenger rail system will be crucial to solving many of the toughest
problems we face today as a Nation. From providing a viable addition to
our transportation network, fighting climate change to creating new and
sustainable jobs, Amtrak must be a part of the solution.
About Normal
The town of Normal was originally founded as a railroad town in
1865. The Town is located in McLean County in Central Illinois;
adjacent to the City of Bloomington. We sit at the crossroads of two
major Midwestern cities: Chicago and St. Louis. Normal is about 120
miles southwest of Chicago and 160 miles northeast of St. Louis.
Normal is home to Illinois State University, which is Illinois'
oldest public university. Our community is also home to Heartland
Community College, Illinois Wesleyan University, and Lincoln College.
We pride ourselves on being a business-friendly community. You can find
businesses such as State Farm Insurance, Growmark Inc., COUNTRY
Financial, and Rivian, an exciting and visionary American automaker
developing and manufacturing next generation electric vehicles, in
Normal, Illinois
Amtrak's Impact on Bloomington-Normal
The Bloomington-Normal community is served by two Amtrak routes:
The Texas Eagle, a long-distance line, and the Lincoln Service, a
state-supported line. The Texas Eagle connects Chicago to St. Louis,
Dallas, Austin, and San Antonio. The Lincoln Service provides even more
frequent service between Chicago and St. Louis.
In 2010, Normal was awarded one of the first TIGER, now known as
BUILD, grants in the Nation for the redevelopment of Uptown Station in
downtown Normal. The $46 million dollar project, which received $22
million from the TIGER grant, $11 million in additional Federal
funding, and more than $13 million in state and local contributions,
was the first TIGER grant project in the Nation to break ground and
begin construction.
As Mayor of Normal, I was a part of a partnership between the
Federal government, the State of Illinois, local contractors, and local
unions; all focused on delivering a high-quality facility on time and
within budget. We met that goal in 2012, less than two years after
breaking ground. The redeveloped Uptown Station included a new Amtrak
station, space for public transit and regional buses, three stories of
office space now used by the Town of Normal, and parking lots for
visitors and commuters. The station is also adjacent to the
Constitution Trail, which is a rail-to-trail conversion running through
Normal and Bloomington and offering safe pedestrian walkways as well as
bike lanes and new bike infrastructure. Finally, a dangerous five-way
intersection was transformed into a significantly safer green
roundabout. The roundabout has become an attractive public space and
diverts thousands of gallons of untreated stormwater from nearby
creeks.
The Uptown Station construction project was an incredible success
and a testament to the importance of intercity rail and transit-
oriented development in our cities and towns, no matter the size. The
transportation center created hundreds of jobs during its two-year
construction period (nearly 140,000 hours of work for construction
workers). This meant good-paying jobs for ironworkers, electricians,
bricklayers, plumbers, sprinkler fitters, and sheet metal workers
throughout the region.
The project also created many indirect jobs. Private spinoff
development anchored by the new station totaled at $175 million, in
investments in new housing and construction. The project has also
brought a new Children's Discovery Museum, two hotels, and a conference
center to Normal. Thanks to Amtrak's Bloomington-Normal Station, our
success is still playing out. We continue to attract new jobs,
residents, and retail dollars to the community without contributing to
sprawl.
In addition to the incredible economic growth the Town has seen
since the redevelopment of Uptown Station, Normal has received the U.S.
EPA's 2011 National Award for Smart Growth Achievement in the category
of Civic Places for the Uptown Normal Roundabout. Uptown Station also
received a LEED Silver certification for its environmentally
responsible and efficient construction and design.
Success in Partnerships
I believe that the key to the success of Uptown's redevelopment has
been our philosophy of partnership and engagement with Federal
agencies, elected officials, the private sector, and the community. I
believe that positive unified relationships between all stakeholders
are key to the future success of intercity passenger rail in the United
States. This means support for passenger rail at both the Federal and
state level as well as support from private developers, labor groups,
and the residents of the community.
The Uptown Station project would not have been completed on time
and within budget without the support of all stakeholders. All of our
stakeholders agreed that a redeveloped Amtrak station would provide
better access to jobs and educational opportunities while spurring
transit-oriented development.
The Future of Amtrak
As much as I admire Amtrak, I recognize that the organization faces
a number of challenges that I would hope to focus on if my appointment
to the Board of Directors is confirmed. As a member of the Board, I
would reaffirm my support for long-distance passenger rail. My
community is served by both state-supported and long-distance lines. I
recognize the importance of long-distance train travel for many of my
constituents, who are often unable to travel by plane, bus, or car.
Amtrak plays a major role in the mobility and independence of the
disability community; this cannot be ignored.
As a Director, I would be a strong ally to the disability
community. I was shocked when Amtrak made news in January after asking
two wheelchair-users to pay $25,000 to ride from Chicago to Normal's
Uptown Station. The normal price for that ticket would be $16. I
understand that former Amtrak CEO Richard Anderson committed to
improving accessibility on Amtrak trains and properties through a
comprehensive review of current accessibility policies. We need to go
above and beyond the bare minimum for our passengers with disabilities.
This means upgrading and purchasing rolling stock to better suit the
needs of disabled passengers as well as upgrading station
infrastructure, to make the Amtrak experience accessible and reliable
for all passengers.
In order to make passenger rail an effective transportation option,
we need to significantly improve on-time-performance (OTP). This means
introducing new metrics and standards as well as holding freight
companies accountable for following agreed-upon timetables.
I am also invested in making Amtrak a safer system. I would use my
position as a Director on the Board to advocate for safer rail
crossings. Improved grade-separation and right-of-way improvements have
helped create safer conditions, decreased travel times, and improved
OTP, while increasing ridership in our town. I believe that this should
be replicated in communities across the United States. Finally, in
order to ensure the safety of all passengers, we need to reach 100
percent PTC implementation on all route miles throughout the U.S.
If confirmed, I look forward to tackling these challenges, and
whatever challenges present themselves in the future. I, as well as the
entire Bloomington-Normal community, understand firsthand the benefits
of intercity passenger rail as well as the costs associated with a
failing system, such as traffic congestion, lowered property values,
and increased greenhouse emissions. I believe that Amtrak must be a
part of the solution when addressing these issues which affect almost
every single American.
In closing, I again thank President Trump and Secretary Chao for
their confidence in my ability to serve on the Amtrak Board of
Directors. I hope to have the opportunity to work closely with the
Members and staff of this Committee as well as the entire Congress to
create a more effective and efficient passenger rail system.
______
a. biographical information
1. Name (Include any former names or nicknames used):
Christopher C. Koos
Chris Koos
2. Position to which nominated: Amtrak Board of Directors.
3. Date of Nomination: 5/21/2020.
4. Address (List current place of residence and office addresses):
Residence: Information not released to the public.
Office: 206 South Linden Street, Normal, IL 61761.
11 Uptown Circle, Normal, IL 61761--Mayor, City Hall address.
5. Date and Place of Birth: 07/06/1948; Bloomington, IL.
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).
N/A; Josh Favus--Age 50.
7. List all college and graduate degrees. Provide year and school
attended.
No degree, Illinois State University, 1966-68, 1971-72.
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.
Owner--Draisine Limited, December 1978 to present.
Mayor--Town of Normal, February 2003 to present.
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. N/A.
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
religiously affiliated organization, private club, or other membership
organization. (For this question, you do not have to list your
religious affiliation or membership in a religious house of worship or
institution.). 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 disability.
Illinois Municipal League--Board Member (2016 to present).
U.S. Conference of Mayors--Vice Chair of Membership (2014 to
present).
U.S. Conference of Mayors--Vice Chair of Transportation/
Communications (2020 to present).
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.
Mayor--Town of Normal, elected, no outstanding campaign debt
14. List all memberships and offices held with and services
rendered to, whether compensated or not, any political party or
election committee within the past ten years. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. N/A.
15. 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. If you have held a paid
position or served in a formal or official advisory position (whether
compensated or not) in a political campaign within the past ten years,
identify the particulars of the campaign, including the candidate, year
of the campaign, and your title and responsibilities. None.
16. List all scholarships, fellowships, honorary degrees, honorary
society memberships, military medals, and any other special recognition
for outstanding service or achievements. N/A.
17. Please list each book, article, column, Internet blog posting,
or other publication you have authored, individually or with others.
Include a link to each publication when possible. 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.
Combat Infantryman Badge, Army Commendation Medal, various unit
citations.
18. List digital platforms (including social media and other
digital content sites) on which you currently or have formerly operated
an account, regardless of whether or not the account was held in your
name or an alias. Include the name of an ``alias'' or ``handle'' you
have used on each of the named platforms. Indicate whether the account
is active, deleted, or dormant. Include a link to each account if
possible.
https://www.normal.org/89/Mayor-Chris-Koos
https://www.facebook.com/votemayorkoos/
https://www.linkedin.com/in/chris-koos-45463a50
19. 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.
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform--07/14/2016.
My testimony was a view of passenger rail infrastructure as an
economic development tool.
20. 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 assisted with the construction of a multimodal transportation
center as Mayor, which took a lot of organization on the local, state,
and Federal level. This was a keystone public project that was
leveraged for considerable private investment in the surrounding area.
I firmly believe that transportation infrastructure is as much about
economic development as it is about transportation. I wish to serve in
this position to work towards funding stabilization. A more stable
funding stream would allow enable Amtrak to do better long-term
planning and equipment and infrastructure upgrades.
As a small business owner for 42 years, I understand the need for
well planned financial decision making and realistic goals.
21. 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 want to make sure my vision for the rail service aligns with
those of fellow board members. I will bring to the table 42 years of
retail experience as a business owner and 17 years of leadership
experience as Mayor of a town with a population of over 50,000
residents.
22. What do you believe to be the top three challenges facing the
department/agency, and why?
Funding--I don't envision Amtrak becoming fully self-supporting,
but I do want to see its funding stabilize. There is no National
passenger rail system in the world that does not have significant
sovereign investment. To facilitate budgeting and long term planning,
Amtrak needs a five year funding scenario.
Budgeting--depending on the administration that's in power, Amtrak
is put on a see-saw of budgeting. One year its well funded, the next
year it's being threatened with closure. This poses many challenges. To
be effective, it needs a five year budgeting process.
Ridership--If you have a system that has (1) on-time reliability,
and (2) has a certain level of amenity with it, be it WiFi on every
train, clean, modern seating, accessibility, you will see ridership go
up.
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.
Northwestern Mutual Simple IRA
Owner Draisine Ltd Normal, IL
Salary Draisine Ltd Normal, IL
Salary Town of Normal, IL
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.
Mayor--term ending May April 30, 2021
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. Explain how you will
resolve each potential conflict of interest. N/A.
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. Explain how you will resolve
each potential conflict of interest. N/A.
5. Identify any other potential conflicts of interest, and explain
how you will resolve each potential conflict of interest. N/A.
6. Describe any activity during the past ten years, including the
names of clients represented, 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. N/A.
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.
Yes, investigated by the Federal Bureau of Investigation for
security clearance.
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.
Personal Lawsuit filed against me regarding a real estate
transaction--dismissed.
Two lawsuits against the Sub S Corporation, which I own and
operate, for bike race liability--both dismissed.
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
any other 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.
N/A.
d. relationship with committee
1. Will you ensure that your department/agency complies with
deadlines for information set by congressional committees, and that
your department/agency endeavors to timely comply with requests for
information from individual Members of Congress, including requests
from members in the minority? 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 Christopher C. Koos
COMMUNITY ADVOCACY AND GOVERNANCE:
Town of Normal, Normal, IL
Council Member April 2001-February 2003
Mayor February 2003-Present
Drive economic and quality of life development, including
construction of the Marriott Hotel and Conference Center, the
Hyatt Place Hotel, the Children's Discovery Museum, and major
multi-use construction
Create and enact policies with a meaningful emphasis on
innovation, energy efficiency, and environmental sensitivity
Pursue partnerships with community stakeholders, including
private businesses and governmental partners at the state,
local, and Federal level to enhance the quality of life for all
residents of the community
Promote recreational opportunities in the community through
the construction of new recreation facilities, the preservation
of open space, and the expansion of the existing walking/biking
trail system.
Selected Projects and Leadership:
Development and construction of multi-modal Uptown Station
(dedicated July 2012), servicing the highest Amtrak ridership
in Downstate Illinois on Lincoln Service/Texas Eagle trains
$45.9 million total project cost; recipient of $22
million TIGER program funds, $10.6 million additional
Federal funding, over $13 million state and local
contributions
Redevelopment of the Uptown Normal business district,
focusing on transportation-oriented design to highlight
Normal's position on the Chicago/St. Louis high-speed rail
corridor
$90 million of public investment generated $172
million in private investment and economic development
Expert testimony regarding urban development and
transportation:
House Committee on Oversight and Government Reform,
Subcommittee on Transportation & Public Assets, 2016
Town of Normal Representative: Transportation for America
Advisory Board; Economic Development Council; Illinois
Municipal League
BUSINESS EXPERIENCE:
Vitesse Cycle Shop, Normal, IL 1978-Present
Often Running, Normal, IL 1995-Present
Owner & Operator
Lead the management of specialty retail stores serving
cycling and running enthusiasts through sustainable sales and
service practices
Drive ongoing needs analyses, workforce design, marketing
development, and evaluation of local sales environment to
ensure alignment with business strategies
Coach and enable management staff to effectively deliver
sales and customer service solutions to the organization
Design programs and processes to elevate the customer
experience, focusing on health, wellness, and sustainability
Model corporate philanthropy values by establishing
partnerships and providing services to nonprofit and public
organizations, including the Illinois Heart and Lung
Association, the Illinois Farm Bureau, and Illinois State
University
Selected Highlights:
Recipient of 2013 ``America's Best Bike Shops'' recognition
from the National Bicycle Dealers Association
Recipient of 2013 Green Business Certification from the
Illinois Green Business Association
PUBLIC SERVICE:
Infantry Platoon Leader with the Army 101st Airborne/
Airmobile Division, Vietnam: United States Army, 1968-1971
Selective Service Board of Appeals Vice Chair from 1983 to
2003
Urban Revitalization/Historic Preservation Subcommittee
Chair of the McLean Co. Comprehensive Plan Committee
Town of Normal Historic Preservation Commission Chairman,
spearheading $1 million restoration of the Normal Theater,
which was named the 1996 ``Preservation Project of the Year''
by Landmarks Preservation Council of Illinois
EDUCATION:
Illinois State University, Normal, IL
Area of Study: Political Science 1966-1968; 1971-1972
Senator Wicker. Well, thank you very much, Mr. Mayor, and
thank you to all of our witnesses.
We'll now move to questions, and there is a question that I
am required to ask each of you and so I will ask the question
and call on each of you for a yes or no answer in turn.
If confirmed, will you pledge to work collaboratively with
this committee and provide thorough and timely responses to our
requests for information as we work together to address
important policy issues?
Mr. Soskin?
Mr. Soskin. Yes, I will.
Senator Wicker. And Mr. Primus?
Mr. Primus. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Wicker. Ms. Feinberg?
Ms. Feinberg. Yes, sir.
Senator Wicker. And Mayor Koos?
Mr. Koos. Yes, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Wicker. Very good. Thank you very much.
Let me say it's no secret that the Ranking Member and I are
supporters of passenger rail. It plays a very important role in
our economy. I'd like to see it enhanced and expanded and I
assume all of our witnesses feel that way, too.
For Ms. Feinberg and Mayor Koos, I hope you know by now
that I've long championed restoration of Amtrak service for the
Gulf Coast route from New Orleans to Mobile. So the Rail
Commission has received a CHISI, Consolidated Rail
Infrastructure and Safety Improvements, grant award of $33
million for this project.
Ms. Feinberg, you're a little bit familiar with this
because in a previous position, you came down and rode a train
with me and state officials and Federal officials and saw for
yourself at each stop the local support for Gulf Coast service.
Are you committed to working with me to restore this route,
if confirmed?
Ms. Feinberg. I am. I remember that trip fondly. That was
such a lovely day and I was reminiscing about it with your
staff the other day. It was a beautiful day in New Orleans and
it was a great day for an Amtrak trip. So I continue to be
supportive of returning Gulf Coast service and happy to work
with you and your staff, Amtrak Southern Rail Commission and
others moving forward. I know it has been pushing a boulder up
the mountain but look forward to working with you on it.
Senator Wicker. Well, it was amazing, the number of local
citizens, just massive crowds that came out to join us at each
stop as we left New Orleans and made our way across the coast.
Mayor Koos, I bet you would be willing to come down and
ride that train with me, also, on the Gulf Coast.
Mr. Koos. Oh, Mr. Chairman, I can tell you my association
with one of your former mayors, John Robert Smith, reminds me
all the time that I have to pay attention to the Gulf Coast
routes and he's invited me to go down there. I would certainly
be honored to join you and to learn as much as I can about that
route, but I can assure you former Mayor Smith keeps me well
informed on that.
Senator Wicker. Well, that speaks well in your favor, also,
and I can tell for those who are listening that do not know,
John Robert Smith, he was a long-time veteran mayor of
Meridian, Mississippi, and he knows firsthand the value to a
medium-size City of passenger rail because that is a route that
has been successful, continues to be successful, and I think
his experience there as mayor and with passenger rail, with the
passenger rail industry in general after that has demonstrated
to him that there is a role for passenger rail even in areas
outside the major corridors.
Ms. Feinberg, did you shut down totally in New York
Transit, and can you sort of give us a minute about what you
may have learned from the virus impact in New York City, the
largest transit system?
Ms. Feinberg. Certainly. Well, New York was the epicenter
and sort of the leading edge of the virus and it has taken a
toll on MTA that is hard to describe. 131 of my colleagues have
passed away from COVID and so it is something that even as our
state is seeing numbers of those impacted by the disease go
down and positive tests go down, it is something that we're
very much still in the middle of and living with every day.
So I would say the things that we learned, I probably
couldn't list them if you devoted the rest of the hearing to
it, but I can give you a couple examples and I'm happy to
continue the conversation.
We've taken an all-of-the-above approach to making sure
that our system is safe. So we are disinfecting and cleaning
stations twice a day. We have a 24/7 cleaning regimen in which
we are cleaning all of our rail cars that are in service three,
four, five, six times a day. We never completely shut down the
service.
We are now closed overnight from 1 a.m. to 5 a.m. because
this makes our cleaning operation more effective and efficient
to not have riders in the system. That's a huge change for New
York City Transit. You know, we say it's the city that never
sleeps deserves a 24-hour subway system. So that has been a
real change for us.
Of course, we have bus service running 24/7, but beyond
disinfecting, we're also aware that the virus can move, you
know, through aerosols and so we've taken a close look at our
air filtration systems. We're making sure that air is
circulating in the subway system and on cars. We're opening
windows on buses. We are, you know, putting barriers between
bus operators and the public.
We've got bus riders boarding through the back so that they
are not having that interaction with the operator, so, you
know, and that's to keep our systems safe, and there's a whole
lot we're doing to make sure that our workforce is safe. So we
have distributed massive amounts of PPE, millions of masks,
millions of gloves, face shields.
You know, we try to put as much space between operators and
the public as possible. We've stopped using cash. We're
cleaning our machines multiple times a day. So, I mean, it has
had a massive impact on us and it has changed the entire way we
operate the system. It's changed the way we think about public
transportation. It's changed the way we think about operating
generally.
You know, I am happy to take any questions on this. That's
a high-level view. I'd say the----
Senator Wicker. Yes, thank you for that. I very much
appreciate that and clearly this is an important perspective to
bring to this hearing today.
Senator Cantwell.
Senator Cantwell. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
I think that last point, though, is really important.
Whatever sector of transportation, keeping our workforce safe
as they provide us transportation is a key thing that I hope we
continue to spend time and focus on.
The hearing gives us obviously a lot to cover here in the
broad spectrum of people. So you'll excuse me if I have to jump
around between a couple of different issues here, but let's
start with you, Mr. Soskin.
The independence of your job is critically important. A
recent GAO report highlighted that the IG must be independent
both of mind and appearance and earlier this year, the
President abruptly removed the DOT Acting IG, a career
official, and installed a politically appointed PHMSA
Administrator to fill both of those roles simultaneously.
The GAO has specifically expressed concerns about whether
this situation is inconsistent, that it's not being consistent
with the independence requirements generally accepted for
auditing and standards and other professional standards.
Would you agree that the abrupt removal of the Acting IG
and replacing him with a political appointment creates an
appearance of bias?
Mr. Soskin. [Off microphone.] What I can speak to is my
qualifications and my commitment to you to be an objective and
independent voice to combat waste, fraud, and abuse, and to
oversee the Office of Inspector General with integrity, if
confirmed. I've spent 14 years as a career civil servant in the
Department of Justice across three Administrations, and I've
been entrusted with politically sensitive matters and to have
hard conversations throughout that time and I am prepared to
continue to do so and to act objectively as the Inspector
General, if confirmed.
Senator Cantwell. So if you're confirmed, would you talk
about not interfering in investigations involving the Secretary
or political appointees at the department?
Mr. Soskin. I will serve with objectivity and integrity.
I'm not sure I totally understood your question, but----
Senator Cantwell. Do you agree that you will not interfere
with investigations involving the Secretary or political
appointees at the department? So somebody comes in and
investigates the Secretary or a political appointee at the
department outside, yes.
Mr. Soskin. We will investigate all allegations and all
issues without fear or favor and without regard to whether it
involves a political nominee or not. The public is entitled to
have oversight of everyone in the Department of Transportation,
including political appointees.
Senator Cantwell. So you wouldn't interfere if there was
another investigation? Maybe I should put this in writing
because I think you're hesitating and I want to make sure that
I'm clear about what I'm asking and then you can respond in
writing for the record to that. That would be helpful.
I remain very concerned about what happened there and,
well, very concerned about various positions within the
Administration that I think are overly political, but let's go
to the Amtrak organization and the two nominees that we have
here.
Obviously Amtrak is critical for millions of people and for
us, the two lines, Washington State, the Coast Starlight and
the Empire Builder, they serve 15 communities and a majority of
them being small and rural communities. So I would like to ask
the nominees, what kind of commitment can we get that you're
going to preserve the Amtrak long-distance service, the
economic lifeline that it provides to rural communities? Mr.
Koos or Ms. Feinberg?
Ms. Feinberg. Go ahead, Mr. Koos.
Mr. Koos. Thank you.
Senator Cantwell, I am very committed to the national
network of long-distance trains. Without those trains, we don't
have a national network and I think it's crucial for the
function of Amtrak and I think people sometimes gloss over the
long-distance routes as saying they're from point A to point Z,
but a lot of people don't realize they use those trains for
shorter distances along that corridor and it's a critical part
of our daily operations.
I understand the need right now to be prudent about the
frequency of those routes in a COVID-19 world, but I'm strongly
committed at such time as we can safely travel this country
without fear of COVID-19 to returning to daily service on the
long-distance routes.
Senator Cantwell. Ms. Feinberg, commitment to preserving
the long-distance service?
Ms. Feinberg. Yes, Senator, thank you for the question.
You have my commitment. I'm from a small town in a rural
state myself. I'm from West Virginia, and I'm well aware of the
importance of that long-distance service to those communities
that offer just the station and the employees there acting as
touch points for the community. You have my commitment.
Senator Cantwell. So in 2017, we had a horrific accident
which claimed the lives of three individuals and injured 65
people. The Chairman of the NTSB, Robert Sumwalt, provided an
ominous warning about the Amtrak safety culture. He said,
``Amtrak's safety culture is failing and is primed to fail
again until and unless Amtrak changes its ways of safety
management.''
The former CEO, Richard Anderson, testified about improving
the safety culture and so this is a very big issue. I think you
probably are both aware of the DuPont accident that happened
where the train derailed onto I-5 and shut down I-5 and it was
a maiden voyage through a new route. Speed control and
awareness just didn't seem to be there, and it was a very
costly accident both to life and to property.
So will you ensure that reforming the safety culture--I get
positive train control. It's going to help us, but that we have
a safety culture that remains top priority at Amtrak.
Ms. Feinberg. Absolutely.
Senator Cantwell. Mr. Koos?
Mr. Koos. The safety culture is critical for an effective
and safe system.
Senator Cantwell. OK. Well, I would hope that--I'm going to
ask a follow up of that in writing exactly how you would
continue to focus on that. I think that we definitely want to
have service. We definitely have big challenges with COVID.
So thank you, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Wicker. And thank you very much.
Senator Moran, you are next.
STATEMENT OF HON. JERRY MORAN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM KANSAS
Senator Moran. Mr. Chairman, the four nominees for the
Amtrak Board will be asked the same questions by maybe several
of us. I appreciate that Senator Cantwell and you both
expressed your strong support for long-distance passenger rail
service and I am here to do the same.
More importantly, I am here to make sure that the nominees
understand what they just answered in Senator Cantwell's
question about their commitment to long-distance service.
I thank all of our nominees for their interest in serving.
I wish the Inspector General, if confirmed, success. An
Inspector General is a hugely important component of how
Congress does and should do its job and I want you to do it
well.
Let me begin with Ms. Feinberg and Mayor Koos. I've
experienced what I think at least as an attitude in prior times
at Amtrak a bias against or at least not in favor of long-
distance passenger service, what I would describe as a bias
against service that can't make a profit on its own.
My view is that Amtrak is designed to provide long-distance
service across the country. The metrics of whether or not it
should exist is not whether or not it is profitable.
We have a nationwide system designed to make certain that
that service is available to all Americans with geographic
disbursity across our country.
The previous nominees to the Amtrak Board have received my
vote in this committee, but also received me placing a hold on
their nominations before the Senate could consider them and
that would be a similar circumstance for me in this
circumstance.
I want to make--let me take a step back and indicate that
at various points in time in my time in the Senate, I've seen
where the Southwest Chief, which runs through three states of
members of this committee, Colorado, New Mexico, and Kansas,
has been in the crosshairs of Amtrak and it is, in my view,
only through our engagement and intrusion that significant
improvements are now being made on the Southwest Chief with a
commitment of its future longevity.
But now with COVID, there is an opportunity and perhaps an
excuse for the diminution of service which I understand. What
I'm concerned about is the return of the service, and I want to
make certain that responding to the challenges, financial and
otherwise, of COVID pandemic is not used as an excuse to now
terminate or significantly reduce where it no longer is viable
long-distance service on the Southwest Chief and other long-
distance routes.
And so one of the things that I understand from Amtrak is
that they have criteria by which they would determine whether
to restore additional funding for long-distance service. One of
those is whether or not the ridership levels in the first
quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 is within 90 percent of the
Amtrak's projected numbers. That requires me to have a lot of
faith in the projections of Amtrak so that something less than
what you project doesn't automatically become an explanation
for why we no longer can support long-distance passenger
service.
So, Sarah or Ms. Feinberg and Mayor Koos, would you tell me
again perhaps what you've already said and then I will ask you
to respond to me in writing so that I don't have to delay your
confirmation on the Senate Floor your commitment to long-
distance service and assure me that if you are a member of the
Amtrak Board that you will not look for the excuse that COVID-
19 might present for the elimination or significant further
reduction of that service?
In other words, we struggle with maintaining our service
for the needs on a daily basis and now with reduced service, I
think ridership is going to be less viable, not more viable,
and so a criteria that the Amtrak is creating is making it more
difficult in my mind to see that Amtrak is on a path to
restoration of service.
What would you like to assure me about, Ms. Feinberg?
Ms. Feinberg. So, Senator,--oh.
Senator Moran. Yes?
Ms. Feinberg. So, Senator, you have my commitment, as I
mentioned earlier, and you have commitment in writing, as well.
I understand that these are incredibly important services that
we provide to rural communities and also to just states that
need the service and to Americans who want to take a train
instead of a car or a plane.
Look, you know, I'm from West Virginia where there is an
airport, but the Amtrak service there, just like it does in
many other states, is, you know, similar to air service. It is
one of the few ways that, you know, folks can get where they're
going other than using their own car.
So you've my commitment. I'm happy to work with you and
with your staff as we contemplate the future and I know this is
very important to you and to Senator Gardner and others. Happy
to work with you.
Senator Moran. Thank you very much.
Mr. Koos?
Mr. Koos. Senator Moran, in your comments, I would posit
that there is no transportation system in the United States
that is not heavily subsidized by Federal and state dollars and
so to hold Amtrak to a different standard, I think, is unfair.
The Texas Eagle comes through my community and I see the
people getting on and off daily and the ridership level on that
train is important to my community and I think it's important
to a lot of smaller communities throughout the United States
that don't have airports and maybe don't have an interstate but
they do have train service, and I think that that is a critical
amenity for our communities.
First quarter of Fiscal Year 2021 seems to me like a
tenuous benchmark because I don't know where we're going to be
in the first quarter of 2021 with COVID-19. I think we have to
recognize the mood of the country and people's willingness to
trust public transportation again in a post-COVID world and
that is the metric that I would use to judge the viability of
the long-distance routes.
I will indeed pledge to you in writing my support for the
long-distance trains.
Senator Moran. Thank you, Mayor. Both of you, I appreciate
your answers, and we have been through this issue with Amtrak
now for more than a year, the Senators from those three states.
We actually thought we had things back on track and COVID, of
course, creates new challenges, and I appreciate what you had
to say and will follow through with you.
Mayor, I don't know the geography well enough of Illinois,
but the Southwest Chief generally originates in Chicago on its
way to Los Angeles and so this is not just an important issue
for the three states I mentioned. It's a long-distance route
that involves your home state, as well.
Thank you.
Senator Wicker. Senator Moran, your position has been made
very clear this morning. Thank you for that line of
questioning.
Senator Blumenthal.
STATEMENT OF HON. RICHARD BLUMENTHAL,
U.S. SENATOR FROM CONNECTICUT
Senator Blumenthal. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you to
all of the nominees for your willingness to serve.
Ms. Feinberg, you and I have worked together in the past,
as well, and I commend and thank you for your work in New York,
and I want to join my other colleagues--as well as your work in
the Department of Transportation previously. I join my other
colleagues in my intense and urgent interest in the
infrastructure challenges posed by Amtrak and I think my
colleague, Senator Moran, has said it very well. We need to
link the country. We're one country. That is one of the points
I think that's been highlighted during this pandemic and we
need to think not only about existing tracks and rail cars but
about significantly upgrading them, reimagining what rail
transportation can be in this country. It isn't all that
difficult because other industrial countries are way ahead of
us and people are going to vote with their feet. They'll take
Amtrak. The ridership will increase if it provides the kind of
service that I hope all the nominees 9 are dedicated to
provide.
Let me ask you, Mr. Soskin. Inspectors General in this
country are more vulnerable than any time in our Nation's
history. The President's fired a number of them, as you know.
The State Department's Inspector General left yesterday
suddenly without really any explanation after his predecessor
was fired because apparently he was investigating the Secretary
of State.
The fact is that Inspectors General need more protection
right now. All that's required is 30 days' notice to Congress.
Will you support legislation, such as I've offered, that
would forbid firing Inspectors General without good cause?
Mr. Soskin. Senator, I am currently counsel of record in
litigation representing the United States on matters pertaining
to executive officers and their service in an acting capacity
and their removal.
Both in light of that and my lack of specific familiarity
with the legislation you've proposed, it would be inappropriate
for me to comment at this time with a position on specific
legislation.
I will say that I share your commitment to objectivity and
independence on the part of Inspectors General. It is a
necessary part of their ability to carry out----
Senator Blumenthal. Well, forgive me for interrupting you
because, first, my time is limited and, second, let me just say
bluntly that's what they all say, and it's not for lack maybe
of good intentions, but the fact of the matter is that this
White House has interfered repeatedly and forcefully in
investigations and whatever your assurances without some
greater protection, you, as other Inspectors General, will be
vulnerable to those same improper influences and perhaps
firing.
Will you commit that you will look at that legislation and
get back to me with a position on it?
Mr. Soskin. I will certainly look at the legislation and
provide you with our input and assessment, if I'm confirmed as
Inspector General.
Senator Blumenthal. Let me ask you. Who are you
representing as counsel of record that's involved in Inspector
General litigation?
Mr. Soskin. It's litigation about the independence of
executive officers and their appointments and services acting.
Senator Blumenthal. What's the name of the litigation?
Mr. Soskin. It's several of the cases involving Acting
Attorney General Matt Whitaker when he was serving as Acting
Attorney General of the United States and those cases present
issues about the service of acting appointees.
Senator Blumenthal. What was your involvement in, you said
in your resume, politically sensitive litigation involving
Executive Orders on travel and immigration? What specific
cases?
Mr. Soskin. I was--I've been involved in a number of
politically sensitive cases throughout my career. Of course, to
come to our office, they have to be of significant----
Senator Blumenthal. Which cases on travel and immigration?
Mr. Soskin. Sure. I was involved in the cases involving the
President's Executive Orders and Proclamations regarding entry
to the United States, including----
Senator Blumenthal. Is that the Muslim ban?
Mr. Soskin. Some people labeled it as such. I think the
title of the President's actions were Executive Orders and
Proclamations----
Senator Blumenthal. And were you lead counsel?
Mr. Soskin.--of the United States. I was one of many
counsel on the team serving to defend those enactments against
challenge.
Senator Blumenthal. Did you participate in the policymaking
leading to those Orders?
Mr. Soskin. I was--my involvement in them was as litigation
counsel.
Senator Blumenthal. Were you in touch with the White House
during the time that they were formulated?
Mr. Soskin. I was involved as litigation counsel.
Senator Blumenthal. And what was your involvement in the
Department of Justice's ban on bump stock?
Mr. Soskin. In that, when I was on detail in a policy role
to the Office of Assistant Attorney General of the Civil
Division, I worked on the drafting of what became the rule
treating bump stocks as machine guns. I've subsequently been
involved as lead litigation counsel in defending that ban
against challenges, first preliminary injunctions which I'm
proud to say we successfully defeated in their entirety, and
now on the merits of litigation in----
Senator Blumenthal. And what was your involvement in the
Clinton e-mail litigation?
Mr. Soskin. I was one of many lawyers who served as a trial
attorney defending the State Department against lawsuits by
various outside groups and some of them interest organizations,
some of them media groups, seeking to obtain Secretary
Clinton's personal e-mails as part of the information that came
to light that----
Senator Blumenthal. Have you ever conducted an
Investigation?
Mr. Soskin. A core part of my responsibility in defending
litigation for the United States is overseeing investigations
into the factual circumstances of the matters that are
challenged. I routinely supervise cross-functional teams
gathering information and seeking to lay out the factual basis
on which we'll be defending lawsuits and seeking to highlight
and identify and priority----
Senator Blumenthal. Could you give me a specific example,
please?
Mr. Soskin. I'm sorry. Specific example of what?
Senator Blumenthal. Of your conducting an Investigation.
Mr. Soskin. Sure. Absolutely. In the cases that we had
involving the cancellation of the trademark registration of the
football team then called the Washington Redskins, one of the
allegations in that case which challenged as a large-scale
matter the constitutionality under the First Amendment of the
statute under which the Patent and Trademark Office operated,
one of the sets of allegations involved whether there was
political involvement in the decisionmaking and as part of our
defense of that case, we had to run down the factual
underpinnings of those allegations.
Senator Blumenthal. I'm not sure what the time is because I
can't see here----
Senator Wicker. Well,----
Senator Blumenthal. I'm sure it's expired.
Senator Wicker.--you're 3 minutes over but----
Senator Blumenthal. I apologize, Mr. Chairman. You've been
very gracious, and I appreciate your giving me that extra time.
Thank you.
Senator Wicker. Thank you. Thank you, Senator Blumenthal.
Mr. Soskin, sounds to me like you're a pretty talented and
experienced attorney and litigator.
Senator Baldwin is next.
STATEMENT OF HON. TAMMY BALDWIN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM WISCONSIN
Senator Baldwin. Thank you, Mr. Chairman.
My question is for Mr. Primus. I really appreciated the
opportunity to speak with you earlier this week about your
nomination to the Surface Transportation Board, and I'd like to
start today by continuing our conversation about competitive
switching.
Competitive switching would increase railroad competition
and market forces over rail rates. Simply put, the current
rules are not working for rail shippers or the public interest.
This rulemaking has been stalled before the Surface
Transportation Board most recently because of empty seats on
the Board.
I look forward to the day when I do not have to ask STB
nominees for a commitment to take up the competitive switching
proposal, but I think that it is so necessary to provide
competitive rail service.
So if confirmed, would you commit to moving forward with
the pending rulemaking on competitive switching?
Mr. Primus. Senator Baldwin, let me just say that I also
enjoyed having opportunity to sit and talk with you and about
the issues that are of concern to you and I can say right now
that I will commit to working with you, this committee, as well
as the stakeholders within the rail community on trying to
resolve the issue of reciprocal switching and a lot of the
issues that surround it.
You are correct in assessing that it's been--this has gone
on for some time and I hope to be a part of the solution with
the rest of the existing Board.
Senator Baldwin. Thank you for that. I want to continue by
noting that rebuilding our economy gives us the opportunity to
build back better, and I expect the same is true for freight
rail, but I have been concerned about significant changes to
freight rail operations adopted by the major railroads as part
of their implementation of precision scheduled railroading or
PSR.
These changes in operation were poorly communicated to rail
customers and ended up disrupting the movement of essential
products. Underlying the PSR playbook is a focus on short-term
gains.
If confirmed, what would you do to ensure that PSR is not
used to prioritize shareholders over rail service and jobs,
particularly as we work to rebuild our economy?
Mr. Primus. Well, I think that it has been very clear that
there are concerns with PSR. The existing Board has held
hearings to talk about the issue and has raised a number of
concerns with respect to what's been going on, particularly
with CSX's implementation.
So I think the Board shares your concerns in terms of the
implementation of PSR and its ramifications for the entire rail
economy.
I can assure you that, if confirmed as a Board member, I
will continue to elevate those concerns and amplify those
concerns. I believe that there has to be a solution to some of
these concerns, and I think I want to play a role in addressing
these concerns and bringing a fair and equitable solution to
PSR and to the communities that are impacted by it.
Senator Baldwin. Thank you.
My last question for you is that Canadian National recently
announced its intent to sell portions of its rail network in
Wisconsin and the Upper Peninsula of Michigan. Recognizing that
the Surface Transportation Board has jurisdiction over line
sales, line construction, and line abandonment, I encourage the
Board's oversight should a sale occur.
Throughout this process, my attention will remain on
service to Wisconsin shippers and other rail customers,
particularly our manufacturers and agricultural producers.
Do I have a commitment from you to give due attention on
this matter?
Mr. Primus. Absolutely, Senator, and in my statement, as I
said, you know, I am very concerned and I want to amplify and
advocate on behalf of a lot of the communities that are going
to be affected by CN and others moving away from these areas.
Most of them are rural and small communities.
I think there may be opportunities for, as I said, you
know, Class 2 and 3s and to get engaged and to assist in these
areas, but you have my absolute commitment to work with you and
again with the stakeholders and with these communities to make
sure that the rail system that they rely upon continues to
exist and actually becomes more robust and responsive.
Senator Baldwin. Thank you, and I yield back, Mr. Chairman.
Senator Wicker. Thank you, Senator Baldwin.
Senator Tester is next.
STATEMENT OF HON. JON TESTER,
U.S. SENATOR FROM MONTANA
Senator Tester. Well, thank you, Mr. Chairman, and I want
to thank Ms. Feinberg and Mr. Koos for their comments to
Senator Moran on the long-distance rail. I'm also going to
focus on that.
Before I go there, though, I did have some questions for
Mr. Soskin, but I'm not going to ask them because--and I'll
tell you why. Because after listening to your responses to
Senator Blumenthal, I just don't think you're being straight
up. I'll just tell you that right now.
I mean, I think you've been told to talk about independence
and that's what you've been doing. Quite frankly, you've been
put into a position that's highly political now and you need to
address that and how you're going to handle that moving forward
and you have yet to do that. So there's no need wasting my time
on questions that revolve around that.
So this is for Ms. Feinberg and Mr. Koos, and I just want
to say, first of all, I'm a long-distance guy, too, and we have
been fighting like hell with everybody dealing with Amtrak
because it seems like they want to cut the long-distance
routes.
I have the same perspective as Senator Moran does on this
and I'll tell you, I think it would be a huge mistake, but
we've been playing defense.
If you get confirmed to the Amtrak Board of Directors, what
are you going to do on offense to make those long-distance
routes more appealing and more rider-friendly?
Ms. Feinberg. I'm happy to start, Senator. Thank you for
the question, and I hope that you can see me because suddenly I
can't see any of you. So I'm just going to assume you can see
me and go with it.
So thank you for the question. Look, I think one thing that
Amtrak needs to do is take a look at how we can improve
ridership on those routes. So whether it's through the dining
experience or the experience in the private rooms or the
reliability experience, the service experience, you know, I
think there are things that we can do that will bring ridership
back, particularly in the moment we're in when it may be that
all travel feels unappealing to folks who are particularly
anxious at this moment, but I think the reality is airline
travel in particular feels scary and so I think this can be an
opportunity for Amtrak and I'm happy to work with you and your
staff as we walk through those issues.
Senator Tester. Mr. Koos?
Mr. Koos. I think I would echo what Ms. Feinberg said. I
think modern, clean equipment, understanding what the customer
wants, monitoring that, measuring that, is critical for the
improvement of the service.
You know, the Empire Building is not wasted on me, Senator,
but while it goes through some beautiful country, it does miss
your major population areas, Bozeman, Billings, Missoula, et
cetera, but again modern, clean equipment, meal service that
people want, maybe different levels of meal service at a cost,
things like that. We have to understand what the customers
want.
Senator Tester. That's exactly right, and, by the way, if
you guys get confirmed, and I got a notion you will, by the
way, because I think you're saying the right things and
hopefully you'll back that up with actions and I think you
will, but we'll have a conversation about the southern route
again and I don't want to establish a southern route at the
expensive of the northern route, by the way, because I think
they both are economic priorities.
Let me ask you this, and you can answer this yes or no
because it's an easy question. Have either of you ridden on the
railroad system in Europe?
Mr. Koos. Yes.
Ms. Feinberg. I have, as well.
Senator Tester. Do you think that there are things that
they have done that could be implemented in the United States
to make our system more user-friendly?
Mr. Koos. I would say, Senator, that frequency, on-time
performance, modern, clean equipment, reasonable meal service,
you know. You can get all levels of it. I think 1 it's
certainly a model that we should look at.
Senator Tester. OK. And, Ms. Feinberg?
Ms. Feinberg. Yes, I would say the thing that sticks out in
my mind the most is how easy it is to get from one mode of
transportation to rail there. So it's just a seamless movement
from, you know, airport to rail and that's something, you know,
I know Amtrak has looked at, but it's an important thing for us
to get better on in the United States if we want people to make
that choice.
Senator Tester. I am going to place some questions for the
record, Mr. Chairman, on the benchmarks and on the staffing
cuts while they continue and ask for supplemental of $1.5
billion and how these folks are going to deal with that. You
don't have to answer that now. I'll put them for the record.
Thank you, Mr. Chairman. Thank you, Ranking Member
Cantwell.
Senator Wicker. Well, thank you very much, Senator Tester.
There are no further questions, and----
Senator Tester. Well, hell, maybe I can just keep going
then.
Senator Wicker. Well, you're certainly--you can take a
Round 2 or a Round 3 if you'd like, but as to your last
comment, Senator Tester, we're going to leave the record open
for two weeks and as is customary, during this time, Senators
are asked to submit any questions for the record with the final
submission deadline being close of business Thursday, August 20
of this year and so the Committee asks witnesses that, upon
receipt of any questions for the record, you submit your
written answers to the Committee as soon as possible----
Senator Rosen. Mr. Chairman?
Senator Wicker. Well, let me finish the sentence here. But
no later than close of business on Thursday, September 3, 2020.
Senator Wicker. Now whose voice do I hear?
STATEMENT OF HON. JACKY ROSEN,
U.S. SENATOR FROM NEVADA
Senator Rosen. That's Jacky Rosen. I think somebody--I was
here. I think I got--somehow my connection was lost or
something. Can I just give a plug for my great service in
Northern Nevada that we want to keep and if the witnesses don't
mind?
Senator Wicker. Absolutely, yes. You're recognized for five
minutes.
Senator Rosen. Thank you, Mr. Chairman. I sure appreciate
it. Thank you to everyone for being here today. I'll be brief.
Of course, like everyone else, in Nevada, we have service,
as well, Amtrak service, and I just want to tell you about how
important it is to us and so it comes as no surprise to our
nominees that we do have service in Northern Nevada.
The California Zephyr Amtrak line is a vital link in and
out of three communities in the Silver State, specifically
Elko, Winnemucca, and Reno. These are places that depend on
reliable rail service to bring travelers in and out of their
communities, including the approximately 84,000 Nevada riders
who travel on the line every year, and if you ride on that
line, you're going to see the most beautiful mountains and
valleys in Northern Nevada that rival any other scenery in the
country, I am quite sure, 4 and lots of our riders are
veterans. They're seniors. They use the Amtrak to go into Reno
to get their medical services and other kinds of things.
So, unfortunately, due to the coronavirus pandemic, we've
seen the Zephyr line service been temporarily cut, but for us
it's a jobs issue. Back on June 24, I joined Senators Cortez
Masto, Manchin, and Tester in a letter urging Amtrak not to
reduce service or eliminate Amtrak jobs during the pandemic.
Thousands of jobs really do depend on the Zephyr line and
reliable transportation for rural Nevadans in communities like
Winnemucca and Elko. I need to protect their safety and their
ability to move around as much as I do for anyone.
So following up on questions from Chairman Wicker, Ranking
Member Cantwell, Senators Tester and Moran, I was hoping I
could get a commitment from you to work with us to assure
people in Nevada as well as other rural communities across this
country, wonderful, beautiful communities that access to
reliable passenger service, including long-distance service,
and I'll ask that to Ms. Feinberg and Mr. Koos, please.
Senator Wicker. Ms. Feinberg?
Ms. Feinberg. I'm happy to go first. Nice to see you, happy
to work with your staff. I know this is important to Nevadans.
I know it's important that the 5 service come back soon and
recognize your commitment to it and look forward to working
with you.
Senator Rosen. Thank you.
Mr. Koos?
Mr. Koos. I would agree with that. I'm certainly supporting
Amtrak service through the state of Nevada, through any state
that it goes through in terms of a national network. It's
critical that we maintain a national network with on-time
performance and frequency. It's what makes it work and so you
have my commitment.
Senator Rosen. I couldn't agree more. Thank you so much for
being here today. Thank you, Mr. Chairman, for letting me give
my plug for the beauty of Northern Nevada and the scenic route
that the Zephyr line takes. Thank you.
Senator Wicker. I can't wait to visit there, Senator Rosen.
Senator Rosen. Oh, come visit. I'll take you out and ride
the train with you.
Senator Wicker. We apologize for not having you in the
queue for question and answer.
Are there other Senators who I may have missed?
[No response.]
Senator Wicker. If not, I've made the announcements and
with that, I believe--let me check with counsel. There being no
further business, this hearing is concluded, and I thank each
of our witnesses and think they're all four excellent choices.
We are adjourned.
[Whereupon, at 11:27 a.m., the hearing was adjourned.]
A P P E N D I X
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
Eric Soskin
Question. Mr. Soskin, unmanned Aircraft Systems, also known as UAS,
are a vital part to the future of transportation in America. This
year's report detailing the significant challenges DOT faces includes
safely integrating Unmanned Aircraft Systems.
How can this committee work with DOT to overcome this challenge? I
know this is a concern our Nation's airports share, and we need to make
sure they are prepared to face any and all challenges they may
encounter with drones.
Answer. I am not currently serving at the Department of
Transportation (DOT) or the DOT Office of Inspector General (OIG). I
appreciate your interest in having DOT and this committee work together
to overcome the challenges involved in safely integrating UAS,
including those associated with safety data, remote UAS identification,
unmanned system traffic management (UTM), and compliance with
requirements in the FAA's 5-year reauthorization act and other
statutes. If I am fortunate enough to be confirmed, I will work with my
team of career professionals to prioritize staff and resources,
including by reviewing this issue and examining ways for this committee
to work together with DOT on the challenges of integrating UAS safely.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to
Robert E. Primus
Question 1. Under 49 U.S.C. 24308, the Surface Transportation Board
has the ability to order that the facilities of a rail carrier be made
available to Amtrak and prescribe reasonable terms and compensation for
using the facilities. STB must decide disputes brought under section
24308(a) no later than 90 days after a dispute is submitted. Do you
believe the requirement that STB decide such cases promptly is
important and are you committed to doing so if confirmed?
Answr. Chairman Wicker, I strongly believe the Board should abide
by the statutes that govern its authority. I support the decision
deadlines in 49 U.S.C. 24308(a)(2)(C) and all efforts to expedite the
dispute resolution process. If confirmed, I will work with my fellow
Board Members to uphold the statute and render timely decisions.
Question 2. The Interstate Commerce Act, amended by the ICC
Termination Act of 1995, provides STB with exclusive jurisdiction over
transportation by rail carriers. This jurisdiction is important for
ensuring a patchwork of regulatory requirements do not impede
interstate commerce and affect the fluidity of the rail network. How do
you view the STB's role in asserting jurisdiction, and do you believe
STB should assert this authority?
Answer. Mr. Chairman, I believe one of the primary responsibilities
of the Board is to promote the consistent and uninterrupted flow of
commercial rail activity throughout the Nation's freight rail network.
Therefore, it is incumbent upon the Board to assert its jurisdiction,
when appropriate, to help maintain the integrity of the network and
minimize unnecessary disruptions.
______
Response to Written Question Submitted by Hon. Marsha Blackburn to
Robert E. Primus
Question. Mr. Primus, one of the unique features of the railroad
industry is that it operates in every single state. The Interstate
Commerce Act provides the Board broad preemption over state regulation
of transportation by a rail carrier to avoid a patchwork of
inconsistent regulation. Can you expand upon your views of the Board's
role in preserving the free flow of interstate commerce?
Answer. Senator Blackburn, 49 U.S.C. 10501 provides the
Board with preemptive authority over state law as it relates to
transportation by a rail carrier. Without this authority, the Board
would be severely weakened in its ability to promote an efficient
national rail economy. The Board's exercise of its preemption authority
in appropriate circumstances safeguards the consistent flow of goods
along our national rail network.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to
Sarah Feinberg
Question 1. I have long championed restoration of passenger rail
for the Gulf Coast, which lost service after Hurricane Katrina. Do you
commit to working with me to implement Amtrak service from New Orleans
to Mobile as soon as possible?
Answer. I do. I have also long championed restoration of this
service. I look forward to working with you, your colleagues, state and
local officials in the impacted states, and other parties to do all I
can to assist in returning service to this area. I recognize how
important restoration of Gulf Coast service is to the region and to
Amtrak, as a model of growth and service to our communities. I also
recognize how much work has already been committed to its return and
pledge to give my full support to those efforts, if confirmed.
Question 2. In response to COVID-19, Amtrak is reducing frequencies
on many long distance routes from once-daily service to three times per
week. If confirmed, do you commit to reinstating once-daily service on
these long-distance routes? If so, do you commit to doing so as quickly
as possible?
Answer. I commit to reinstating service as quickly as possible as
ridership and revenue returns. The pandemic placed an unexpected burden
upon the entire transportation industry. Amtrak is not alone among
companies faced with tough decisions. I will work hard with Amtrak, if
confirmed, to bring the company back to pre-pandemic levels of success
and service, and beyond, as quickly as possible.
______
Response to Written Questions Submitted by Hon. Roger Wicker to
Chris Koos
Question 1. I have long championed restoration of passenger rail
for the Gulf Coast, which lost service after Hurricane Katrina. Do you
commit to working with me to implement Amtrak service from New Orleans
to Mobile as soon as possible?
Answer. If confirmed, I would commit to working with you on the
restoration of passenger rail service along the Gulf Coast. As the
mayor of a small town served by Amtrak, I recognize the importance of
returning service and jobs to cities across Mississippi, Alabama, and
Florida such as Bay St. Louis, Gulfport, Biloxi, Pascagoula, Mobile,
and Tallahassee.
Question 2. In response to COVID-19, Amtrak is reducing frequencies
on many long-distance routes from once-daily service to three times per
week. If confirmed, do you commit to reinstating once-daily service on
these long-distance routes? If so, do you commit to doing so as quickly
as possible?
Answer. If confirmed, I would commit to quickly restoring once-
daily service for all longdistance routes affected by the COVID-19
pandemic. I believe the Nation cannot have a fully functioning network
that only operates 3 days a week. We must restore certainty for both
employees and customers through continued daily service.
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