Biden’s FHWA Nominee Clears Senate EPW Committee

What happened: The Senate Environment & Public Works (EPW) Committee Nov. 29 approved the Biden administration’s nominee Shailen Bhatt to lead the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). ARTBA expressed support for Bhatt’s nomination in a Sept. 13 letter to the committee.

Why it matters: FHWA has operated without a Senate-confirmed administrator for nearly two years, making the agency shorthanded as it administers record federal highway investment under the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA). In a statement after the vote, EPW Ranking Member Shelley Moore Capito (R-W.Va.) said, ‘The committee worked hard to develop bipartisan surface transportation legislation that serves as the foundation of the IIJA that was signed into law last yearÉThis agency needs a Senate-confirmed leader.’ EPW Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.) noted Bhatt’s experience saying, ‘Mr. Bhatt brings with him an almost perfect resume for this position. In addition to leading both the Delaware and Colorado Departments of Transportation, Mr. Bhatt also has substantial previous experience at the Federal Highway Administration, along with involvement in the private sector and work at non-profit transportation advocacy organizations.’

What’s next: Bhatt’s nomination now heads to the full Senate for confirmation. That chamber must approve it before this Congress adjourns, or else the process will begin again next month.