Austin News

In a recent Senate Commerce Committee confirmation hearing, Senator Ted Cruz (R-Texas) endorsed Steven Bradbury for the role of Deputy Secretary of Transportation. The endorsement highlighted Bradbury's previous leadership roles at the Department of Transportation (DOT), including positions as General Counsel and Acting Secretary. Bradbury's experience in private sector legal work related to transportation was also noted as beneficial for his potential new role.

Cruz outlined Bradbury's responsibilities if confirmed, emphasizing that he would serve as second-in-command at the DOT, focusing on day-to-day operations and critical safety policies within the nation's transportation system. "Mr. Bradbury is exceptionally well-qualified for this position," Cruz stated, pointing to his past achievements such as supervising over 500 attorneys and support staff while serving as DOT’s chief legal counsel.

Bradbury's career includes time spent in major law firms dealing with significant transportation matters like airline mergers and large automotive recalls. His tenure at the Department of Justice, along with clerking roles at both the U.S. Court of Appeals for the D.C. Circuit and the U.S. Supreme Court, were cited as evidence of his strong legal and policy credentials.

Cruz emphasized Bradbury’s commitment to safety and efficiency within the DOT, stating, "I have made it clear that safety—particularly in the aviation sector—must be his foremost priority." He also mentioned Bradbury’s readiness to comply with congressional oversight requests.

The nomination has garnered widespread support from various transportation groups across sectors such as aviation, trucking, ports, and waterways. "With Mr. Bradbury, we get someone with the experience to drive intelligent change," Cruz concluded in his remarks supporting Bradbury’s confirmation.