The U.S. Senate Committee on Commerce, Science, and Transportation advanced five nominations for key federal roles and approved more than 200 Coast Guard promotions during an executive session held on March 12.
These actions are significant as the committee is responsible for reviewing and promoting legislation related to commerce, science, and transportation, according to the official website of the Senate Commerce, Science, and Transportation Committee. The committee serves as a standing body within the legislative branch that addresses policies on interstate commerce, science, and transportation issues.
During the session, Matthew Anderson was nominated to be Deputy Administrator of NASA with a vote of 23 yeas and 5 nays. Michael Graham was nominated to be a member of the National Transportation Safety Board with 21 yeas and 7 nays. Seval Oz was nominated as Assistant Secretary of Transportation for Research and Technology by a vote of 16 yeas to 12 nays. Arvind Raman was nominated as Under Secretary of Commerce for Standards and Technology and Director of the National Institute of Standards and Technology with a similar margin. Richard Kloster was nominated to be a member of the Surface Transportation Board by a party-line vote of 15 yeas to 13 nays. Jesse Millard’s promotion to Captain in the United States Coast Guard also passed by a party-line vote.
In addition to these individual votes, Coast Guard promotions (PN 716 and PN 769) were passed by voice vote. The committee is directed by a chairman and includes senators from both parties, according to its official website.
The Senate Commerce Committee houses its main office in the Russell Senate Office Building in Washington, D.C., as reported by its official website. The committee reviews legislation related to commerce, science, and transportation during congressional sessions.
Looking ahead, these nominations will proceed through further steps in the confirmation process before final appointments are made.
