The Congressional Record is a unique source of public documentation. It started in 1873, documenting nearly all the major and minor policies being discussed and debated.
“NOMINATION OF POLLY ELLEN TROTTENBERG” mentioning the U.S. Dept. of Transportation was published in the Senate section on pages S1880 on April 13.
The Department handles nearly all infrastructure crisscrossing the country. Downsizing the Federal Government, a project aimed at lowering taxes and boosting federal efficiency, said the Department should be privatized to save money, reduce congestion and spur innovation.
The publication is reproduced in full below:
NOMINATION OF POLLY ELLEN TROTTENBERG
Mr. SCHUMER. Now on another matter, beyond Senator Hirono's legislation, the Senate is also focused this week on confirming an impressive slate of nominees to the Biden administration.
I am especially pleased that in a few hours, the Senate will vote to confirm Polly Trottenberg to serve as Deputy Secretary of Transportation. This is great news for New York and great news for the country.
Her credentials are beyond doubt. For the last 7 years, she has served as New York City's commissioner of transportation, managing a transportation system that helps tens of millions of people get to and from work, connects businesses to customers, and brings life to one of America's largest and most visited cities every single day.
Before that, Polly served in the Department of Transportation under President Obama, advising policymakers and working with stakeholders across the country on everything from high-speed rail to roads, highways, and bridges.
Of course, her nomination is especially meaningful to me. Polly served for nearly a decade as my legislative director and transportation adviser. She knows the needs of the country, and she knows the needs of New York. And a pet project so important to the New York Gateway will be well served in her capable hands. We will get this done.
Take it from me: Polly has smarts, she has savvy, and she has moxie. She knows how to work with people of all backgrounds to get things done for the American people. And there isn't a moment to lose. As we work to defeat the COVID-19 pandemic and bring our economy fully back online, we must look ahead to tackle the challenges of our time, and on top of the list is finally getting serious about addressing our Nation's crumbling infrastructure--a topic that Ms. Trottenberg is very familiar with.
For New York, as I mentioned, this means continuing to move the ball forward on projects like Gateway, rebuilding the two rail tunnels under the Hudson--perhaps the most important transportation infrastructure priority in the entire Nation and something I have spoken to Ms. Trottenberg and Secretary Buttigieg and President Biden about regularly.
But our infrastructure woes extend to every city and every State in the country. Our roads, bridges, highways, airports, public transit, housing, and the electric grid are all in need of an overhaul. So, too, does our country need to invest in the infrastructure of the 21st century--broadband internet access, 5G, electric vehicles. America cannot compete in this century if our infrastructure is stuck in the last century.
That is why, in addition to confirming important nominees like Ms. Trottenberg, the Senate will continue to work with the Biden administration on a comprehensive infrastructure and jobs bill. If there is an issue that ought to unite Democrats and Republicans, it is putting people to work to update our Nation's infrastructure.
I yield the floor.
I suggest the absence of a quorum.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. The clerk will call the roll.
The bill clerk proceeded to call the roll.
Mr. McCONNELL. Mr. President, I ask unanimous consent that the order for the quorum call be rescinded.
The ACTING PRESIDENT pro tempore. Without objection, it is so ordered.
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