Former Senate Majority leader Trent Lott (R-Miss.) — not Sen. Kay Bailey Hutchison (R-Texas) — may be the new self-appointed front-runner for chairman of the Senate Aviation Subcommittee, according to a Jan. 8 report in Aviation Daily. Lott, credited by some for passing the airport security bill, is expected to focus on reforming small-community air service and the economic viability of small airports. He was apparently able to use his seniority to make the move.The trickle-down may land Hutchison as chair of the surface transportation subcommittee. Hutchison’s previously stated platform had made cargo security a priority. Lott is expected to assume the role in addition to his chair of the full Senate rules committee.
