Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy

Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy is a high-ranking official within the United States Department of Transportation (USDOT). The position serves as the principal advisor to the United States Secretary of Transportation on all matters relating to transportation policy, economics, and strategic planning. Established alongside the department in the late 1960s, the Under Secretary oversees a broad portfolio aimed at shaping the nation's transportation infrastructure and regulatory framework.

History and establishment

The office was formally established with the creation of the United States Department of Transportation by the Department of Transportation Act of 1966, which was signed into law by President Lyndon B. Johnson. The role was designed to provide centralized, expert leadership on long-range policy development, separating strategic planning from day-to-day operational management handled by the department's modal administrations like the Federal Aviation Administration and the Federal Highway Administration. The position reflects the evolving complexity of national transportation needs, from the Interstate Highway System to modern challenges in aviation safety, railroad regulation, and maritime commerce.

Duties and responsibilities

The Under Secretary for Policy is responsible for developing and coordinating major departmental policy initiatives and legislative proposals. This includes overseeing economic and regulatory analyses, guiding the implementation of significant statutes like the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, and setting priorities for research and development through agencies such as the Volpe National Transportation Systems Center. The office leads interagency coordination on cross-cutting issues like supply chain resilience, climate change mitigation in the transportation sector, and the integration of emerging technologies such as autonomous vehicles. It also plays a key role in international policy engagements with bodies like the International Civil Aviation Organization.

Appointment and succession

The Under Secretary is appointed by the President of the United States and must be confirmed by the United States Senate via the Advice and consent process. As a PAS (Presidential Appointment with Senate confirmation) official, the nominee typically has extensive background in transportation, economics, public policy, or related fields. In the line of succession for the office of the United States Secretary of Transportation, the Under Secretary for Policy is a designated successor, following the Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The position is classified as a Level III position within the Executive Schedule.

List of Under Secretaries

The following individuals have served as Under Secretary of Transportation for Policy since the office's inception: * Everett Hutchinson (1967–1969) * James Beggs (1969–1973) * John Barnum (1973–1977) * Mortimer Downey (1993–2001) * Jeffrey Shane (2005–2009) * Roy Kienitz (2009–2013) * Peter Rogoff (2014–2017) * Derek Kan (2017–2020) * Carlos Monje (2021–2023)

Office organization

The Office of the Under Secretary for Policy comprises several key subordinate offices that focus on specific analytical and policy areas. These typically include the Office of Transportation Policy, the Office of Economics, and the Office of Strategic Initiatives. The office works closely with the department's Assistant Secretary for Transportation Policy and coordinates extensively with the White House Office of Management and Budget and the National Economic Council. It directly supervises policy staff and analysts who support the work of the Maritime Administration, the Federal Railroad Administration, and other USDOT components.