Molinaro testifies before U.S. Senate confirmation hearing – Binghamton University

Former Congressman Marc Molinaro, recently nominated to lead the Federal Transit Administration, appeared for testimony at a joint confirmation hearing held by the U.S. Senate Committee on Banking, Housing, and Urban Affairs. If approved, Molinaro, who represented Greater Binghamton in the U.S. House of Representatives for one term before losing his seat to Democratic opponent Josh Riley, will assume the role of overseeing public transportation systems nationwide, with his nomination submitted to the Senate on February 3rd.

During the commencement of the hearing, Sen. Tim Scott, a South Carolina Republican and committee chairman, introduced Molinaro alongside three other nominees, including Paul Atkins for SEC chair, Jonathan Gould for comptroller of the currency, and Luke Pettit for assistant treasury secretary. Scott commended Molinaro’s credentials, emphasizing his previous experience in local governance and service on the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee.

Highlighting Molinaro’s tenure as Dutchess County’s executive, Scott lauded his belief in addressing transit and infrastructure challenges with localized solutions, expressing confidence in Molinaro’s ability to propose practical measures for the agency that prioritize effective and safe mass transit while fostering new opportunities, particularly in housing, for communities across the country.

Before representing New York’s 19th Congressional District in 2022, Molinaro served as a county executive for a decade and held a seat in the New York State Assembly from 2007 to 2011. Sen. Elizabeth Warren, the Massachusetts Democrat serving as the committee’s ranking member, voiced concerns over the Trump administration’s approach to reshaping the federal government, denouncing the removal of enforcement personnel under the current leadership.

In a private conversation preceding the hearing, Warren shared that Molinaro had vowed to support the agency’s workforce and advocate for enhanced public transportation services. Emphasizing the necessity of a robust Federal Transit Administration, Warren stressed the importance of improved safety and service quality for public transit riders nationwide.

Further endorsements for Molinaro came from a coalition of transit advocates and labor representatives, including the Transport Workers Union of America, International Brotherhood of Teamsters, and the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO. Acknowledging the essential role transit workers play in maintaining the country’s transportation network, Molinaro expressed his dedication to upholding their rights and ensuring their voices are heard in decision-making processes.

Allegations regarding staff reductions at the Department of Transportation, where the Trump administration terminated roughly 80 probationary employees at the Federal Transit Administration, were raised during the senators’ questioning. In response, Molinaro noted his awareness of such actions through public reports, underlining his commitment to prioritizing public transit funding worth up to $108 billion, allocated by the 2021 Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act, if confirmed.

Molinaro affirmed his support for maintaining operational grant programs that fund various projects, from capital investments to the procurement of new public buses. As the confirmation process progresses, the Senate is expected to schedule a vote in the coming weeks, with stakeholders expressing optimism regarding Molinaro’s leadership and dedication to enhancing transportation systems for all Americans.