The Senate confirmed Charlotte, N.C., Mayor Anthony Foxx as the new U.S. Transportation Secretary with a unanimous 100-0 vote on Thursday.
Foxx will take over for Ray LaHood, who announced his resignation earlier this year. During his recent Senate confirmation hearing, Foxx said he would make FAA’s implementation of NextGen one of his top priorities if confirmed.
Several aviation industry groups reacted positively to the confirmation Thursday.
"As the former mayor of Charlotte, N.C., Mr. Foxx saw firsthand the importance of general aviation to the city’s economy. Now, as he leads the U.S. transportation system, we hope Mr. Foxx will adopt policies that encourage the success and growth of general aviation nationwide, allowing the industry to add to its $150 billion annual economic impact and 1.2 million jobs," said General Aviation Manufacturers Association (GAMA) President and CEO Pete Bunce.
Aerospace Industries Association (AIA) President and CEO Marion Blakey said Foxx’s experience overseeing the Charlotte-Douglas International Airport should provide a good foundation going forward in his role as secretary. Blakey also mentioned the challenges Foxx will face in modernizing the nation’s "decades-old air traffic control system" with sequestration budget cuts.