Better Know a Bureaucracy: Department of Transportation

The Department of Transportation is a relatively new department in the executive government. It

was established by Congress in 1966. The current secretary is Anthony Foxx, who has zero
experience in the transportation industry. Hes the former Mayor of Charlotte, NC, and was a
former lawyer before that. Interestingly, hes the designated survivor of the 2015 State of Union
Address, the only cabinet member to be away from the Capitol. The usual term is 4 years. The
previous secretary under Obamas first term was actually a Republican Congressman named Ray
LaHood. Right now Foxx is a Democrat. The Secretary could be fired by the president is he
wishes. The deputy secretary is Victor Mendez, and the under secretary is Peter Rogoff.
The DOT employs almost 55,000 people across the country, and has a budget of 77 billion
dollars. The agency that receives the most dollars is the Federal Highway Administration. The
mission of the entire agency is to oversee air, water, and surface transportation in the US, to keep
it efficient and safe.
The Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) oversees the safety of civil aviation. The safety
mission of the FAA is first and foremost and includes the issuance and enforcement of
regulations and standards related to the manufacture, operation, certification and maintenance of
aircraft. The agency is responsible for the rating and certification of airmen and for certification
of airports serving air carriers. It also regulates a program to protect the security of civil aviation,
and enforces regulations under the Hazardous Materials Transportation Act for shipments by air.
It also develops air traffic rules and monitors all flights.
The Federal Highway Administration (FHWA) coordinates highway transportation programs in
cooperation with states and other partners to enhance the country's safety, economic vitality,
quality of life, and the environment. Major program areas include the Federal-Aid Highway
Program, which provides federal financial assistance to the States to construct and improve the
National Highway System, urban and rural roads, and bridges. This program provides funds for
general improvements and development of safe highways and roads.
The Federal Motor Carrier Safety Administration enforces safety regulations in the manufacture
and operation of vehicles.
Theres also a railroad administration, and a transit administration that plans public
transportation schedules.
The National Highway Traffic Safety Administration studies traffic accidents and administers
tests and regulations to prevent them.
The Pipeline and Hazardous Materials Safety Administration (PHMSA) oversees the safety of
more than 800,000 daily shipments of hazardous materials in the United States and 64 percent of
the nation's energy that is transported by pipelines. PHMSA is dedicated solely to safety by
working toward the
elimination of transportation-related deaths and injuries in hazardous materials and pipeline
transportation, and by promoting transportation solutions that enhance communities and protect
the natural environment.
The DOT has a grand plan for growth over the next couple years. Their budget plan for the 2016
fiscal year is $94.7 billion. In the next 6 years, theyre planning to invest $31 billion on highway

system, $115 billion on improving public transit. Theyre also spending $16 billion to improve
highway safety.