Sean McMaster Confirmed as FHWA Administrator

What happened: The Senate Sept. 18 confirmed President Donald Trump’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration (FHWA). Sean McMaster was approved along a party line vote as part of a large package of nominees from several federal agencies.

McMaster previously served as deputy chief of staff for former Secretary of Transportation Elaine Chao during the first Trump administration, as well as deputy assistant secretary for congressional affairs. He also has several years of experience as a senior aide with the House Transportation & Infrastructure Committee, and more recently worked at ARTBA member firm HNTB.

ARTBA expressed support for McMaster’s nomination in an April 21 letter to Senators, citing his extensive professional experience and partnership with the association in helping keep projects moving during the COVID-19 pandemic.

Why it matters: During his Senate confirmation hearing in April, McMaster said his four goals as Administrator would be:

• Supporting U.S. DOT Secretary Sean Duffy in his primary objective of improving safety throughout the nation’s transportation system.
• Expediting delivery of highway and bridge projects, noting successful emergency repairs as a potential model for saving time and money.
• Acting as a resource for lawmakers as the next surface transportation reauthorization legislation works its way through both houses of Congress.
• Making sure that “different viewpoints and unique needs” of Americans on transportation issues are “well reflected” as U.S. DOT carries out administration transportation policy.

Reauthorization on deck: McMaster, who was serving as a senior department advisor prior to confirmation, has been tasked by Sec. Duffy to lead the department’s surface transportation reauthorization efforts, with the next bill due by Oct. 1, 2026. During a series of July meetings, ARTBA leaders shared the industry’s reauthorization priorities with both officials as part of U.S. DOT’s “America is Building Again” activities. ARTBA looks forward to working with the administrator and his team in the months ahead.