Assistant Secretary of Transportation

Assistant Secretary of Transportation is a senior political appointment within the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The position is established by statute and serves as a principal advisor to the United States Secretary of Transportation. Assistant Secretaries typically oversee major departmental administrations or key policy areas, such as Aviation and International Affairs, Transportation Policy, or Governmental Affairs.

History and establishment

The position was created with the establishment of the United States Department of Transportation by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966. The Act, signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson, consolidated various federal transportation agencies, including the Federal Aviation Administration and the United States Coast Guard, into a single Cabinet-level department. The first Assistant Secretary, John L. Sweeney, was confirmed by the United States Senate in 1967. Over time, Congress has authorized additional Assistant Secretary positions through legislation like the Intermodal Surface Transportation Efficiency Act to address evolving priorities in areas such as budget and programs.

Duties and responsibilities

Specific duties are assigned by the United States Secretary of Transportation and can vary by administration. An Assistant Secretary typically leads a specific Office of the Secretary of Transportation (OST) organization, formulating and implementing national policy. For example, the Assistant Secretary for Aviation and International Affairs engages with the International Civil Aviation Organization and negotiates air service agreements. Another may oversee transportation policy development, coordinating with modal administrations like the Federal Highway Administration and the Federal Transit Administration. Responsibilities often include testifying before Congressional committees, managing significant budgetary resources, and representing the department in interagency forums such as the National Security Council.

Appointment and qualifications

The Assistant Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States and requires confirmation by the United States Senate, following a hearing before committees like the United States Senate Committee on Commerce, Science and Transportation. While no specific statutory qualifications exist, nominees typically possess extensive expertise in transportation, public policy, law, or business management. Many have held prior roles in state Departments of Transportation, the United States Congress, or major corporations like Boeing or CSX Transportation. The appointment is a political appointment and serves at the pleasure of the President, with terms often aligning with the presidential administration.

List of Assistant Secretaries

Numerous individuals have held the title, often distinguished by their assigned portfolio. Early appointees included John L. Sweeney and Charles D. Baker. Notable later officials include Susan McDermott, who served as Assistant Secretary for Governmental Affairs, and Andrew B. Steinberg, who headed Aviation and International Affairs. In recent administrations, figures like Elliott F. Kaye have served as Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy. The exact number and focus of positions have shifted, with some roles, like Assistant Secretary for Administration, being established or discontinued through acts of Congress.

Related positions and offices

Within the USDOT hierarchy, the Assistant Secretary rank is analogous to the heads of the department's ten major operating administrations, such as the Federal Railroad Administration and the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration. Other Senate-confirmed officials at a similar level include the General Counsel of the Department of Transportation and the Inspector General of the Department of Transportation. In the broader Executive Office of the President, related roles include the Assistant to the President for Economic Policy and the director of the Office of Management and Budget, which coordinates federal spending on infrastructure projects.