Transportation Secretary LaHood Steps Down
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be leaving his job after four years in President Obama’s Cabinet, he announced on Tuesday morning. In a statement to his staff, LaHood said he was proud of his team’s achievements, including FAA reauthorization, a rule to combat pilot fatigue “that was decades in the making,” progress on NextGen, and stronger consumer protections for airline passengers. LaHood will stay on in the job until a successor is named, which is expected to take about two months.
Transportation Secretary Ray LaHood will be leaving his job after four years in President Obama's Cabinet, he announced on Tuesday morning. In a statement to his staff, LaHood said he was proud of his team's achievements, including FAA reauthorization, a rule to combat pilot fatigue "that was decades in the making," progress on NextGen, and stronger consumer protections for airline passengers. LaHood will stay on in the job until a successor is named, which is expected to take about two months.
LaHood, who is 67, told The Wall Street Journal he has no immediate plans, and added that was conflicted about leaving the Cabinet, because he enjoyed the job. "I have had a good run," he said. "I'm one of these people who believe that you should go out while they're applauding." The Journal said some possible successors could include NTSB chairman Deborah Hersman; former U.S. Rep. Jim Oberstar of Minnesota, who led the House Transportation and Infrastructure Committee; and Los Angeles Mayor Antonio Villaraigosa, who has been an advocate for public transit.
