(U.S. Department of Transportation)
March 3, 2026 3:29 PM, EST
Key Takeaways:
- Ryan McCormack was confirmed as under secretary of transportation for policy with a focus on surface transportation and safety.
- John DeLeeuw was approved for a National Transportation Safety Board seat after debate over prior leadership removals.
- Several transportation and maritime nominees remain awaiting full Senate votes.
The Senate recently confirmed Ryan McCormack to serve as under secretary of transportation for policy, filling one of the department’s top strategic roles.
The chamber’s 57–33 vote on Feb. 26 expanded Secretary Sean Duffy’s leadership team at a time when the federal transportation agencies are enhancing multimodal safety directives.
McCormack will oversee development of DOT policy across surface transportation, freight mobility and safety directives. This portfolio is central to shaping trucking, highway and supply chain initiatives.
In recent years, federal data show more than 40,000 individuals have died annually in vehicle-related crashes.
Responding to questions from Democrats on the Commerce Committee last year, McCormack underscored that reducing fatalities would be among his top goals if confirmed. “Far too many Americans die on our roadways,” he told senators, adding that his work would reflect Duffy’s “safety first” posture.
In November, committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) cited the nominee’s extensive record analyzing policy.
“McCormack’s experiences in both the legislative and executive branches give him a deep institutional knowledge needed to address the 40,000 annual highway fatalities, streamline project permitting, and make America a world leader in advanced transportation technologies.”
Most recently serving as the department’s deputy chief of staff, McCormack had been a longtime congressional aide on Capitol Hill. As the new primary policy adviser at DOT, his office also will be tasked with informing congressional leaders about the administration’s priorities for the upcoming highway policy bill.
The House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee expects to consider a multiyear, $550 billion surface transportation reauthorization as early as this month. Senate transportation leaders have yet to announce a schedule for consideration of their version of the highway bill.
In other transportation personnel moves, the Senate a day earlier voted on a key safety appointment. John DeLeeuw was confirmed 50-45 for a seat on the National Transportation Safety Board.
Most recently managing director of safety and efficiency at American Airlines, DeLeeuw replaced a senior NTSB member the White House removed last year.
Cruz strongly supported the NTSB nominee.
“DeLeeuw will draw on his extensive aviation safety background to investigate accidents and propose recommendations to prevent future harm,” the chairman said at a November hearing.
Democrats opposed his nomination, citing the Trump administration’s removal last year of NTSB Vice Chairman Alvin Brown.
Sen. Maria Cantwell (D-Wash.), the committee’s ranking member, consistently raised concerns about Brown’s removal. “We don’t support replacing the current NTSB agency with new [appointments],” Cantwell said in February.
Meanwhile, awaiting a confirmation vote in the full Senate are nominees Daniel Edwards for the assistant secretary of transportation at DOT, Robert Harvey to serve on the Federal Maritime Commission, and Steven Haines to be an assistant secretary of commerce for industry and analysis.
