Dear Senator:
On behalf of the Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO (TTD), which represents millions of transportation workers across the country, including those whose work is directly affected by the Federal Transit Administration (FTA), I am writing to urge you to vote to confirm Marcus Molinaro as the next Administrator of the FTA when it comes up for a vote on the Senate floor. On July 31st, Senator Thune filed cloture on Mr. Molinaro’s nomination and we urge a swift confirmation.
In just two short years, Congressman Molinaro stood out among his colleagues for building an extensive record supporting the health, safety, and livelihoods of frontline transportation workers, and the growth of our national transportation system broadly. He rolled up his sleeves on behalf of working people by leading or signing his name to many worker-centered and safety-centered legislative efforts. For example, he led the Global Aircraft Maintenance Safety Improvement Act, advocating for enhanced safety standards for foreign aircraft repair stations, and cosponsored several transportation labor bills and amendments addressing airplane cabin air quality, public service workers’ collective bargaining rights, Transportation Security Officers’ collective bargaining rights, transit funding shortfalls, Railroad Retirement Board funding, airport fire fighters’ health on the job, workforce development and apprenticeships, tax deductions for union dues, and protection for airline workers from abusive passengers. Mr. Molinaro takes his commitment to work with all good-faith parties seriously, and he has demonstrated his commitment to upholding the rights and welfare of middle class workers and to the safety of our transportation system with his actions, time and time again.
Federal transportation agencies have a real impact on the safety and quality of life of transportation workers, much like the Department of Labor has on other classes of workers. As such, it is critically important to our membership that the Federal Transit Administration be led by an Administrator who will take a thoughtful and pragmatic approach to addressing the needs of transportation workers and their unions — alongside the interests of other key stakeholders — as he administers FTA programs and oversees the regulatory process.
We are confident that Mr. Molinaro has both the experience and the integrity necessary to serve as a fair and impactful Federal Transit Administrator. The Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO endorsed Mr. Molinaro for this position. We urge you to vote in favor of confirming him as the FTA Administrator.
Sincerely,
Greg Regan
President
Transportation Trades Department, AFL-CIO