March 16, 2026 4:07 PM, EDT
Key Takeaways:
- Michael Graham’s renomination to the National Transportation Safety Board advanced with a 21-7 Commerce Committee vote.
- The committee also approved Richard Kloster and Seval Oz for key federal transportation roles.
- The full Senate has not yet scheduled votes on the nominees.
WASHINGTON — The Senate Commerce Committee has advanced a slate of transportation nominees, including a National Transportation Safety Board member seeking another term.
On March 12, the Republican-led panel voted 21-7 to approve the renomination of Michael Graham, who joined the NTSB in 2020 and has participated in several high-profile safety investigations. In written responses to Senate Democrats, Graham acknowledged persistent concerns about truck parking shortages, especially in rural regions where local roads often absorb overflow from interstate corridors.
Committee Chairman Ted Cruz (R-Texas) previously praised Graham’s work, citing his involvement in on‑site investigations and efforts to strengthen safety practices across transportation modes.
Before joining NTSB, Graham worked at Textron Aviation Inc. and earlier served as an aviator in the Navy. The independent agency is responsible for investigating major transportation accidents, most prominently in aviation.
The Senate recently confirmed John DeLeeuw to the NTSB, filling the seat previously held by Alvin Brown, who was removed by the Trump administration and is seeking reinstatement. The White House also removed Todd Inman from the board, a decision he is contesting.
Other nominees advanced by the Commerce Committee include Richard Kloster, approved 15-13 to join the Surface Transportation Board, and Seval Oz, approved 16-12 to serve as assistant secretary of transportation for research and technology. In her committee questionnaire, Oz said she would focus on accelerating deployment of automated safety technologies and expanding research intended to make transportation “more efficient, more accessible and more affordable.”
The full Senate has yet to schedule votes on the nominees.
