Shailen P. Bhatt, President Joe Biden’s nominee to lead the Federal Highway Administration, has moved a step closer to Senate approval, making it through his confirmation hearing with strong backing from Senate Environment and Public Works Committee Chair Tom Carper (D-Del.), probable support from the panel's other Democrats and no Republicans declaring their opposition.
To be sure, in his Sept. 14 appearance before the Environment and Public Works Committee, Bhatt—former head of the Delaware and Colorado departments of transportation —did face tough questions from Republicans on the panel who are unhappy about how FHWA is implementing the Infrastructure Investment and Jobs Act (IIJA).